Bill Maher
Born 1956 · Age 69
American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor and television host; known for Politically Incorrect (1993–2002), Real Time with Bill Maher (2003–present) and the podcast Club Random (2022–).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in New York City
William Maher born to William Aloysius Maher Jr. (network news editor/radio announcer) and Julie Maher (nurse). Raised in River Vale, New Jersey.
Graduated Pascack Hills High School
Finished high school in Montvale, New Jersey (Pascack Hills High School).
Began selling cannabis while in college
Maher later said selling pot allowed him to get through college and help finance his early comedy career.
Graduated Cornell University (B.A.)
Graduated from Cornell University with a double major in English and history.
Host at Catch a Rising Star (NYC)
Maher served as host of the New York comedy club Catch a Rising Star, an early professional comedy role.
First major late-night appearances
Began appearing on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and David Letterman's program, raising his national profile.
Feature film debut: D.C. Cab
Maher made his feature film debut in the comedy D.C. Cab.
Television acting appearances (Sara)
Appeared on the TV show Sara (1985).
TV/film roles: Max Headroom, House II
Had roles on Max Headroom (TV) and in House II: The Second Story.
Film roles: Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle; TV: Newhart
Continued film/TV acting with these credits, expanding his entertainment resume.
Guest roles on Murder, She Wrote
Appeared on Murder, She Wrote (1989).
Hosted CBS talk show Midnight Hour; TV appearances
Hosted Midnight Hour on CBS (1990) and continued TV guest roles.
TV/film credits: Charlie Hoover and Pizza Man
Appeared in Charlie Hoover (1991) and film Pizza Man (1991).
Co-hosted Indecision '92
Co-hosted Comedy Central's Indecision '92, which jump-started his political/comedy TV career.
Launched Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central)
Debuted the late-night political talk show Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central; Maher hosted and produced.
CableACE awards and early Emmy noms for Politically Incorrect
Politically Incorrect won CableACE awards and Maher began accruing Emmy nominations for the series.
Politically Incorrect moves to ABC; joins PETA board
Politically Incorrect moved from Comedy Central to ABC. Maher joined the board of PETA (serving since 1997).
Wrote foreword for Spin This!; published When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden
Wrote the foreword for Bill Press's Spin This! and published his own book When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden (2002).
Politically Incorrect canceled by ABC
ABC did not renew Politically Incorrect following controversial remarks after 9/11 and advertiser pullouts (FedEx, Sears), and the show was canceled.
Received LA Press Club President's Award
Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club president's award for championing free speech six days after Politically Incorrect was canceled.
Launched Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
Became host, co-producer and co-writer of Real Time with Bill Maher, a weekly HBO political talk show that continues to present.
Performed in Hollywood Hell House as 'Satan'
Appeared on stage in a satirical production spoiling evangelical 'hell houses'.
Ranked No. 38 on Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand‑up Comedians
Placed #38 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.
Published New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer
Maher published the book New Rules, a best-seller style collection of essays and observations.
Hosted Amazon Fishbowl
Hosted the web talk show Amazon Fishbowl on Amazon.com.
Hosted Larry King Live (guest host)
Hosted the January 13, 2006 edition of Larry King Live on CNN; later co-emceed Larry King's final show in 2010.
Producers Guild Television Producer of the Year Award
Maher and co-producers were awarded Television Producer of the Year in Variety Television by the Producers Guild of America.
Released documentary Religulous
Debuted Religulous, a feature documentary critical of organized religion, co-created with director Larry Charles.
Received Richard Dawkins Award
Awarded the Richard Dawkins Award from Atheist Alliance International for promoting secularism and science.
Hollywood Walk of Fame star (ceremony)
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; ceremony attended by peers (noted ceremony in September 2010).
Co-emceed Larry King Live final show
Co-emceed the final episode of Larry King Live with Ryan Seacrest.
Published The New New Rules
Published The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head up Their Ass (2011).
Purchased minority ownership stake in the New York Mets
Maher purchased a minority stake in the New York Mets (reported 2012), signaling major personal investment capability.
Donated $1,000,000 to Priorities USA (Obama SuperPAC)
Announced a $1 million contribution to Priorities USA after his 'Crazy Stupid Politics' special streamed on Yahoo! Screen.
Became executive producer for HBO's Vice
Joined Vice as an executive producer (2013).
Offered $5,000,000 challenge to Donald Trump
On The Tonight Show Maher said he would pay $5 million to a charity if Trump proved an alleged insult (Trump later produced his birth certificate; a brief lawsuit followed and was withdrawn after ~8 weeks).
Primetime Emmy Award win (executive producer for Vice)
Maher earned an Emmy win in 2014 for his work as executive producer on Vice (in addition to numerous nominations across his career).
HBO renews Real Time through 2018
HBO renewed Real Time with Bill Maher through 2018, securing the show's 15th and 16th seasons.
Switched support to Hillary Clinton after nomination
After Clinton secured the Democratic nomination in June 2016, Maher announced his support for her.
Endorsed Bernie Sanders (initially) in 2016 primary
Maher initially endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination in February 2016.
Regular political commentary on Cable News
Throughout 2018–2020 Maher frequently appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and HLN as a political commentator and warned about potential post‑election refusal to concede by Trump.
Said recession would be 'worth it' to prevent Trump's reelection
In August 2019 Maher said that an economic recession would be worth it if it prevented Donald Trump's re-election in 2020.
Broadcasts predicting Trump refusal to leave (2018–2020)
Between April 2018 and August 2020 Maher repeatedly predicted Trump would refuse to concede a 2020 loss and dedicated segments to that topic.
Launched Club Random podcast
Debuted Club Random, a one-on-one interview podcast recorded in his home bar, featuring non-political conversations; guests include Quentin Tarantino and Mike Tyson.
Discussed spiritual queries with Deepak Chopra
Maher had a public conversation with Deepak Chopra in which he explored some spiritual questions despite long-time criticism of organized religion.
Decided not to release Kanye West Club Random interview
Revealed he chose not to publish a two‑hour Club Random interview with Kanye West because of the rapper's antisemitic comments.
Announced Club Random Studios network
Announced he was starting a podcast network with Chris Casey and Chuck LaBella called Club Random Studios.
Announced plan to stop doing stand‑up after 2024
Told Jerry Seinfeld on Club Random that after this year he planned to stop performing stand-up comedy.
Called on Biden to decline 2024 nomination; backed Gavin Newsom
In July 2024 Maher urged President Joe Biden to decline the Democratic nomination and expressed support for Governor Gavin Newsom as a replacement.
Commented on NPR CEO Katherine Maher hearing
After NPR CEO Katherine Maher defended NPR at a congressional hearing in March 2025, Bill Maher publicly called for defunding public media outlets, labeling NPR 'crazy far-left'.
Endorsed Senator John Fetterman for 2028 primaries
In February 2025 Maher endorsed Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman for the 2028 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
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