Bill Maher Biography

Bill Maher, in 1993, created the perfect forum for his quick-witted comedic talents - "Politically Incorrect." On Comedy Central, Bill Maher had brought together some of the most interesting politicians, entertainers, and journalists to participate in some of the most controversial, topical and comical discussions. Winners of four Cable ACE Awards combined, Bill Maher and his program have grown in popularity year to year, eventually catching the attention in 1997 of ABC and capturing the post-"Nightline" time slot. "Politically Incorrect" celebrated it's fifth anniversary on ABC in January 2002 and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2001 for "Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series."

Bill Maher, inspired by the show's success, assembled some of "PI's" most memorable highlights in his book, Does Anybody Have a Problem With That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits. In it, Maher brings us his tongue-in-cheek commentaries on such modest proposals as putting warning labels on the Bible, why we should have drunk driving lanes, and his regular "Get Over Yourself Award," given to such notables as Newt Gingrich, Santa Claus, and the O.J. Simpson defense team. He also offers a collection of some of the funniest and most insightful thoughts of "PI's" panelists, including Ben Affleck, Marilyn Manson, Ann Richards, Pamela Anderson, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, Arianna Huffington, and Janeane Garofalo.

Bill Maher's credits include five HBO specials, including the critically acclaimed "Bill Maher: Be More Cynical." He has made many appearances on "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," where he also served as guest correspondent. Maher has participated in the tours of a number of comics throughout the United States.

An English major graduate from Cornell University, Maher began his career honing his act during the '80s on the New York club scene. He reflects upon this time in True Story, a novel of his club life and perhaps the funniest and most revealing depiction of the comic's life to date.

Bill Maher was born in New York and raised in River Vale, New Jersey. Bill Maher now resides in Los Angeles.

In 2003, Maher became the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on the HBO cable television network, a debate show somewhat similar to Politically Incorrect, but with a narrower selection of guests. Maher told Terry Gross (on NPR's Fresh Air) in 2004 that he enjoys having more serious and well-informed guests on his current program, as opposed to the random celebrities that fleshed out his roundtable discussions on Politically Incorrect.

Bill Maher and Ariana. Since May 2005, he's been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.

On January 13, 2006, Bill Maher hosted Larry King Live on CNN.

Bill Maher does Amazon. On June 1, 2006, Maher began hosting amazon.com's Amazon Fishbowl, the first ever episodic program on a major internet website. Bill Maher also produces and writes the show, which will air through August 17, 8 days before the season premiere of Real Time.