Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Bill Maher Biography

Birth Name:William Maher

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

The Atheist Alliance International presented him with the Richard Dawkins Award in 2009
Received the President's Award for championing free speech from the Los Angeles Press Club in 2002, shortly after "Politically Incorrect" was cancelled
Began his career as a stand-up comedian and actor after graduating from Cornell University with a B․A․ in English and History in 1978
Quote: "(On the cancellation of the show "Politically Incorrect") "All I did was tell the truth․ That's is what the whole show is about! And if 'Politically Incorrect' has to go down for it, so be it!""
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he made a controversial comment about cowardice on "Politically Incorrect," with prompted major companies to stop advertising on the show, stations to pull it from their schedules and ABC to eventually cancel it
Known for offering humorous political commentary in such talk shows as "Politically Incorrect" and "Real Time․"
Known for his sarcastic attitude and for breaching controversial topics like religion, politics, bureaucracies, political correctness and greed
Purchased a minority ownership interest in the New York Mets in 2012
Does not identify with a single political party, describing himself as practical, progressive and sane
Joined the advisory board of Project Reason, which promotes scientific knowledge and secular values in society

Awards

1990ACE-Performance in a Comedy Special: winner
1994CableACE-Talk Show Series: nominated
1995CableACE-Talk Show Series: winner
1995CableACE-Talk Show Series: winner
1995CableACE-Entertainment Host: nominated
1995CableACE-Entertainment Host: winner
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1996CableACE-Talk Show Series: winner
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1997CableACE-Entertainment Host: nominated
1997CableACE-Talk Show Series: nominated
1997OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2001WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2002WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Program: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2004WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2005WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2006PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Variety Television: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2006WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2007PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Variety Television: winner
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: nominated
2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Competition Television: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2008WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Competition Television: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2009WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: nominated
2010OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2010WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - (Including Talk) Series: nominated
2011PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Competition Television: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series: nominated
2012PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series: nominated
2012WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2013PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series: nominated
2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2014IDA Award-Best Episodic Series: nominated
2014PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series or Special: winner
2015PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series or Special: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special: nominated
2015WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - Music, Awards, Tributes - Specials: nominated
2015WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2016PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television: nominated
2016PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series or Special: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Talk Series: nominated
2016WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - Talk Series: winner
2017PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series or Special: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Talk Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Series or Special: nominated
2018WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Series: nominated
2019PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series: nominated
2026Golden Globe-Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television: nominated