William Maher is a multi-talented American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is best known for his political talk shows, "Politically Incorrect" (1993-2002) and "Real Time with Bill Maher" (2003-present). In addition to his television work, Maher also hosts the podcast "Club Random," which he launched in 2022.
January 20, 1956: Bill Maher's Birth
On January 20, 1956, Bill Maher was born.
1974: Graduation from Pascack Hills High School
Bill Maher graduated from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale in 1974.
1978: Graduation from Cornell University
Bill Maher completed his studies at Cornell University in 1978, graduating with degrees in English and History.
1979: Host at Catch a Rising Star
Bill Maher began his comedic career in 1979 as the host of Catch a Rising Star, a comedy club in New York City.
1982: Appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman"
Bill Maher's career gained traction in 1982 with appearances on prominent talk shows: "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "Late Night with David Letterman."
1983: Film Debut in "D.C. Cab"
Bill Maher made his feature film debut in 1983 with a role in the comedy "D.C. Cab."
1985: Appearance on "Sara"
Bill Maher made a television appearance on the show "Sara" in 1985.
1986: Appearance in "Ratboy"
Bill Maher appeared in the 1986 film "Ratboy," directed by and starring Sondra Locke.
1987: Appearance on "Max Headroom"
Bill Maher appeared on the science fiction television series "Max Headroom" in 1987.
1988: Appearances in "House II: The Second Story," "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death," and "Newhart"
Bill Maher had roles in three films in 1988: the horror comedy "House II: The Second Story," the comedy "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death," and an appearance on the sitcom "Newhart."
1989: First Appearance on "Murder, She Wrote"
In 1989, Bill Maher made his first appearance on the television series "Murder, She Wrote."
1990: Second Appearance on "Murder, She Wrote" and Hosting "Midnight Hour"
Bill Maher made a second appearance on "Murder, She Wrote" and also hosted a talk show called "Midnight Hour" on CBS in 1990.
1991: Appearances in "Charlie Hoover" and "Pizza Man"
Bill Maher made appearances in the television series "Charlie Hoover" and the film "Pizza Man" in 1991.
1993: Politically Incorrect Premiere
Bill Maher started hosting "Politically Incorrect" in 1993, initially airing on Comedy Central.
1993: Start of "Politically Incorrect" on Comedy Central
"Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" premiered on Comedy Central in 1993, marking the beginning of its run on the network.
1997: Move of "Politically Incorrect" to ABC
"Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" moved from Comedy Central to ABC in 1997, expanding its reach to a broader audience.
1997: Joining PETA's Board
Bill Maher became a board member of PETA in 1997, reflecting his support for animal rights.
October 29, 1999: Christine O'Donnell's Appearance on "Politically Incorrect"
On October 29, 1999, Christine O'Donnell appeared as a guest on Bill Maher's show, "Politically Incorrect," during which she made comments about her past experiences with witchcraft. This appearance would later resurface and draw significant attention during her 2010 Senate campaign.
June 16, 2002: Cancellation of "Politically Incorrect"
ABC officially canceled "Politically Incorrect" on June 16, 2002, following a series of controversies.
June 22, 2002: Los Angeles Press Club President's Award
Despite the cancellation of "Politically Incorrect," Bill Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club president's award on June 22, 2002, for his commitment to free speech.
2002: End of "Politically Incorrect"
After a successful run on both Comedy Central and ABC, "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" came to an end in 2002.
2002: End of "Politically Incorrect"
In 2002, "Politically Incorrect" was canceled after a controversial remark by Maher about the 9/11 attacks.
2002: Bill Maher Writes Foreword for "Spin This!"
In 2002, Bill Maher contributed a foreword to the book "Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth" by Bill Press. This further solidified his presence as a commentator on media and politics.
2002: Comments on Atheism
In 2002, Bill Maher stated that he is not an atheist, but rather someone who doesn't believe in religion. He expressed a distinction between the two and highlighted his view of religion as an unnecessary bureaucracy.
2003: Real Time with Bill Maher Premiere
In 2003, Bill Maher began hosting "Real Time with Bill Maher," a political talk show on HBO.
2003: Tony Award Nomination
In 2003, Bill Maher received a Tony Award nomination for Best Special Theatrical Event for Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home at the 57th Tony Awards.
2003: Premiere of "Real Time with Bill Maher"
"Real Time with Bill Maher" premiered in 2003, marking a return to HBO for Maher.
2003: Maher Begins Dating Coco Johnsen
In 2003, Bill Maher began dating flight attendant Coco Johnsen.
November 2004: Coco Johnsen Sues Bill Maher
In November 2004, Bill Maher's ex-girlfriend, Coco Johnsen, sued him for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" alleging various promises and claims.
November 23, 2004: Maher's Lawyers Respond to Coco Johnsen's Lawsuit
On November 23, 2004, Bill Maher's lawyers responded to Coco Johnsen's lawsuit, calling Maher a "confirmed bachelor" and denying promises of marriage or financial support.
2004: Performs as Satan in "Hollywood Hell House"
In 2004, Bill Maher showcased his acting chops by playing the role of Satan in "Hollywood Hell House." This satirical play, a spoof of Christian hell houses, featured a star-studded cast and aimed to highlight the absurdity often found in religious extremism.
May 2, 2005: Johnsen's Lawsuit Against Maher Dismissed
On May 2, 2005, Coco Johnsen's lawsuit against Bill Maher was dismissed.
May 2005: Controversy over Military Comments on "Real Time"
In May 2005, Bill Maher sparked controversy with comments he made about the military on "Real Time with Bill Maher," leading to calls for the show's cancellation by some, including Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus.
2005: Ranking on Comedy Central's Top 100 Stand-Up Comedians
Comedy Central recognized Bill Maher's comedic talent in 2005 by ranking him #38 on their list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.
2005: Maher Begins Dating Karrine Steffans
In 2005, Bill Maher began dating author and former hip hop model Karrine Steffans.
January 13, 2006: Guest Host on Larry King Live
On January 13, 2006, Bill Maher took on the role of guest host for the renowned talk show "Larry King Live," on which he was already a familiar face as a frequent guest.
2006: Honored by High Times
In 2006, Bill Maher was honored by High Times as 'Top Pot Comic' and his show Real Time won a Stony Award for 'Best Cable News Show.' He was also designated as 'Stoner of the Year' by High Times.
October 19, 2007: Confrontation with 9/11 Truthers
On October 19, 2007, Bill Maher confronted and had several 9/11 truthers ejected from his show audience after they interrupted the live show multiple times. The incident drew significant media attention and praise from critics.
2007: Producers Guild of America Award
Bill Maher and his co-producers on "Real Time with Bill Maher" received the Television Producer of the Year Award in Variety Television from the Producers Guild of America in 2007.
October 3, 2008: Release of "Religulous"
Bill Maher teamed up with director Larry Charles to release the documentary "Religulous" on October 3, 2008. The film satirized religious extremism across various faiths and ignited conversations about the role of religion in society.
2008: Endorses Barack Obama for President
In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Bill Maher publicly endorsed Barack Obama. While initially supportive, Maher later criticized Obama for not being progressive enough on issues like healthcare reform.
2008: Release of "Religulous"
In 2008, Bill Maher released "Religulous," a documentary film exploring his critical views on religion.
2008: Release of "Religulous"
In 2008, Bill Maher released "Religulous," a documentary film in which he explores and critiques various religions. In the film, he identifies as agnostic.
2008: Criticism of Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Care
In 2008, Bill Maher criticized the pharmaceutical and health care industries, arguing that poor nutrition was a primary cause of illness and that medicine was not always the best solution. He expressed his belief that high-fructose corn syrup contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States.
2009: Richard Dawkins Award
Bill Maher received the Richard Dawkins Award from Atheist Alliance International in 2009.
2009: Maher Begins Dating Cara Santa Maria
From 2009 to 2011, Bill Maher dated Cara Santa Maria, a former adjunct professor and science educator.
2009: Maher Advocates for Health Care Reform
In 2009, Bill Maher advocated for the passage of the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that President Obama should not worry about getting 60 votes. He emphasized the need to push through health care reform, despite public skepticism.
June 29, 2010: Guest on Larry King Live
Bill Maher made a special guest appearance on "Larry King Live" on June 29, 2010, the same episode where Larry King announced his retirement from the show.
September 17, 2010: Airing of Christine O'Donnell Clip on "Real Time"
Bill Maher aired a clip of Christine O'Donnell, then a Republican candidate for Senate in Delaware, from his previous show, "Politically Incorrect," on "Real Time with Bill Maher" on September 17, 2010. The clip featured a past statement by O'Donnell about dabbling in witchcraft, which became a topic of much discussion during her campaign.
December 16, 2010: Co-Host of Larry King Live Finale
Bill Maher, along with Ryan Seacrest, co-hosted the final episode of Larry King's iconic show "Larry King Live" on December 16, 2010, marking the end of an era for the legendary talk show.
2010: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Bill Maher's contributions to entertainment were recognized in 2010 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2011: Maher and Cara Santa Maria's Relationship Ends
Bill Maher and Cara Santa Maria's relationship ended in 2011.
2011: Identifies as Apatheist
In 2011, Bill Maher began identifying as an apatheist, stating his indifference towards the question of what happens after death and the existence of God.
2011: Maher Supports Medicare-for-All
Since 2011, Bill Maher has consistently supported the establishment of a Medicare-for-All universal single-payer health care system. He believes the American Medical Association is a major obstacle to health care reform.
February 23, 2012: Donates to Priorities USA
Following his "Crazy Stupid Politics" special on Yahoo! Screen, Bill Maher announced a $1 million contribution to Priorities USA, a SuperPAC supporting Barack Obama's reelection campaign.
2012: Further Comments on Atheism and Apatheism
In 2012, Bill Maher reiterated his stance on atheism, stating that it is not a religion or a hobby. He emphasized that he doesn't spend a significant amount of time thinking about religion and expressed his belief that doubt is a valid response to questions about God's existence.
2012: Maher Purchases Minority Stake in New York Mets
In 2012, Bill Maher purchased a minority ownership interest in the New York Mets.
2012: Identifies as "9/11 Liberal"
During a 2012 discussion with Salman Rushdie, Bill Maher categorized himself and others, including Rushdie, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris, as "9/11 liberals." This label reflected their stance on differentiating religions and criticizing specific religious practices without being labeled bigoted.
February 12, 2013: Maher Discusses Gun Ownership
On February 12, 2013, during an appearance on 'Conan,' Bill Maher discussed his views on gun ownership. While he owns guns for personal protection, he criticized the notion of being a 'proud' gun owner and questioned the need for large arsenals. He also expressed skepticism about fundamental changes to gun laws.
June 7, 2013: Support for NSA's PRISM Program
On June 7, 2013, Bill Maher expressed limited support for the National Security Agency's (NSA) PRISM program, which involved collecting intelligence data from private phone calls and internet activity. He cited the threat of terrorism as justification while acknowledging concerns about privacy and potential misuse.
2013: Becomes Executive Producer of "Vice" and Offers Donation Over Trump's Birth Certificate
In 2013, Bill Maher took on the role of executive producer for HBO's "Vice." That same year, echoing Donald Trump's previous challenge to Barack Obama about his birth certificate, Maher offered $5 million to charity if Trump could prove his mother hadn't mated with an orangutan.
2014: Primetime Emmy Award Win
Bill Maher won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2014 for his work as an executive producer on the television show "Vice."
2014: Maher Defends Israel During 2014 Gaza War
In 2014, Bill Maher defended Israel’s military actions against Palestinians during the Gaza war, amidst criticism over civilian deaths. He argued that Israel was showing restraint and criticized those who could not understand why Israelis were defending themselves.
2014: Maher Endorses Maine Bear Hunting Referendum
In 2014, Bill Maher endorsed a Maine referendum to ban the use of bait, traps, and dogs to hunt bears. He criticized the use of bait, describing it as 'nothing but an execution.'
2014: Launches "Flip a District" Contest
Leading up to the 2014 midterm elections, Bill Maher initiated the "Flip a District" contest on his show. The goal was to target a "terrible, entrenched" member of Congress in a close race for removal from office. Despite focusing on Republican Representative John Kline, Maher's efforts were unsuccessful.
2014: Maher Begins Dating Anjulie Persaud
Since 2014, Bill Maher has been dating Canadian singer Anjulie Persaud.
November 2015: Maher Opposes Accepting Syrian Refugees
In November 2015, Bill Maher expressed opposition to the United States accepting Syrian refugees, arguing that their values might conflict with American values. He cited examples of female genital mutilation and honor killings among Muslim immigrants in the UK to support his stance.
2015: Criticism of Obama's Visit to Saudi Arabia
In 2015, Bill Maher criticized Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, condemning their human rights record and urging a stop to respecting what he perceived as "medieval bullshit" under the guise of cultural sensitivity.
2015: Primetime Emmy Award Win
In 2015, Bill Maher won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series or Special for his work on Vice.
2015: Advocacy for Cannabis Law Reform
In 2015, Bill Maher called on then-President Barack Obama to pardon people incarcerated for marijuana offenses and later praised President Joe Biden for doing so. He has been an advocate for cannabis law reform and a member of the advisory boards for NORML and the Marijuana Policy Project.
February 5, 2016: Bernie Sanders Endorsement
On February 5, 2016, Bill Maher initially endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
May 13, 2016: Announces Film Project "The Kings of Atheism"
Bill Maher, alongside Michael Moore, announced their collaborative film project "The Kings of Atheism" on May 13, 2016 via YouTube.
June 2016: Hillary Clinton Endorsement
After Hillary Clinton secured the Democratic Party nomination in June 2016, Bill Maher announced his support for her presidential bid.
October 2016: Criticism of Julian Assange
Bill Maher publicly criticized WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in October 2016 for releasing leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), expressing his belief that Assange had "lost his way" and harbored animosity towards Hillary Clinton.
2016: HBO Renews "Real Time" for 15th and 16th Seasons
HBO renewed "Real Time with Bill Maher" for two more seasons in 2016, extending its run through at least 2018.
2016: Peabody Award Nomination
In 2016, Vice, a show Bill Maher worked on, was nominated for a Peabody Award for their segment on Student Debt.
February 2017: Milo Yiannopoulos Interview on Real Time
In February 2017, Bill Maher interviewed Milo Yiannopoulos on his show "Real Time." The interview, which focused on Yiannopoulos's controversial comments about child sexual abuse, sparked backlash and ultimately contributed to Yiannopoulos facing significant career consequences, including losing his book deal and resigning from Breitbart News.
March 31, 2017: Post-Election Commentary on Hillary Clinton
Following Hillary Clinton's defeat in the 2017 election, Bill Maher responded to suggestions of her return to the public eye by stating, "Hillary, stay in the woods...You had your shot. You fucked it up." He compared her to Bill Buckner, who made a crucial error during the 1986 World Series.
June 2017: Maher Apologizes for Racial Slur
In June 2017, Bill Maher faced criticism for using a racial slur during an episode of 'Real Time.' HBO called the remarks 'inexcusable and tasteless' and removed the segment from future airings. Maher apologized and discussed the controversy with guests on his show.
February 2018: Criticism of #MeToo Movement
In February 2018, Bill Maher criticized the #MeToo movement, describing it as McCarthyism. He has also supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment in 2020 and downplayed the allegations against former senator Al Franken.
April 13, 2018: Predictions About Trump's Refusal to Concede
Beginning on April 13, 2018, Bill Maher began predicting on his show "Real Time with Bill Maher" that Donald Trump would refuse to concede if he lost the 2020 United States presidential election.
2018: Conclusion of "Real Time" 16th Season
The 16th season of "Real Time with Bill Maher" concluded in 2018, marking the end of the renewal period.
March 14, 2019: Trump's Comments on Support from Police and Military
On March 14, 2019, Donald Trump made a statement claiming support from the police, military, and "tough people." Bill Maher cited this statement as evidence that Trump might attempt to stay in power by force if he lost the election.
August 2019: Bill Maher Denounces BDS Movement
In August 2019, Bill Maher denounced the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, criticizing it for being based on a shallow notion regarding race dynamics between Israelis and Palestinians. He also responded to Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s call to boycott his talk show, pointing out that a significant majority of the house, including 93% of Democrats, had condemned the BDS movement.
August 2019: Comments on Donald Trump and Recession
In August 2019, Bill Maher expressed his belief that an economic recession would be a price worth paying if it prevented Donald Trump's re-election. He argued that while recessions are survivable, another Trump term would be detrimental to the country.
2019: Bill Maher Criticizes Stan Lee and Comic Books
In 2019, during a segment on "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher sparked controversy by questioning Stan Lee's legacy and stating that comic books are not literature. He also suggested that adult comic book fans should "grow up," drawing criticism from fans and figures in the comic book industry.
2019: Criticism by David Gorski
In 2019, David Gorski criticized Bill Maher for his HBO interview with Dr. Jay Gordon and Maher's claims about vaccines, including speculation about a link between vaccines and autism, which is debunked according to consensus science.
January 25, 2020: "New Rules" Segment on Trump's Potential Refusal to Concede
On January 25, 2020, Bill Maher dedicated a segment of his "New Rules" segment on "Real Time" to the possibility of Donald Trump refusing to concede the election. He cited Trump's rhetoric and expressed concern over the potential consequences.
April 2020: Maher Criticizes Concerns Over 'Wuhan Virus'
In April 2020, Bill Maher criticized the notion that using the term 'Wuhan virus' is racist. He argued that naming diseases after places they originate from has a long scientific tradition and that this has nothing to do with Asian Americans but rather with China.
August 7, 2020: Continued Predictions and Commentary on Election Integrity
Bill Maher continued to predict that Donald Trump would not accept defeat in the 2020 election, extending his commentary until August 7, 2020. He highlighted Trump's past statements and expressed concern over potential violence from Trump supporters.
August 15, 2020: Interview with Vanity Fair
In an interview with Vanity Fair on August 15, 2020, Bill Maher reiterated his belief that Donald Trump would not leave office willingly if he lost the election.
September 25, 2020: Criticism of Media Coverage of Trump's Statements
On September 25, 2020, Bill Maher criticized the media's handling of Donald Trump's statements about potentially not accepting the election results. He argued that they should have taken his threats more seriously and given them more coverage.
2020: Support for Chris Matthews
In 2020, Bill Maher supported Chris Matthews against allegations of sexual harassment and downplayed similar allegations against former senator Al Franken.
January 2021: Promotion of COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory
In January 2021, Bill Maher promoted the COVID-19 lab leak theory, contributing to the ongoing debate about the origins of the virus.
March 2021: Maher Criticizes China's Treatment of Uyghurs
In March 2021, Bill Maher criticized China's treatment of the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. He stated that the United States has lost to China in the 'battle for the 21st century,' as China is advancing globally while the U.S. is distracted by internal conflicts.
April 16, 2021: COVID-19 Media Criticism
On April 16, 2021, Bill Maher criticized media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it 'panic porn' and suggesting that it led to a misinformed population.
2021: Maher Opposes NFL's 'Black National Anthem'
In 2021, Bill Maher opposed the NFL's decision to play the 'Black national anthem' before games, arguing it was a form of segregation. He advocated for one national anthem and rejected separate ceremonies based on race.
2021: Maher Urges Acceptance of Afghan Refugees
In 2021, after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Bill Maher urged America to take in Afghan refugees, contrasting his stance with his earlier opposition to Syrian refugees. He also criticized Donald Trump’s immigration policies and accused Republicans of hypocrisy regarding their stance on immigration.
January 2022: Declines to Run for President
In January 2022, following speculation by Dana Perino, Bill Maher announced that he would not be running for president in the 2024 United States presidential election.
March 2022: Criticism of Democrats on Sex Education
In March 2022, Bill Maher criticized liberals for their opposition to the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act and defended Republicans for pushing the bill.
March 21, 2022: Launches "Club Random" Podcast
Bill Maher stepped into the world of podcasting with "Club Random." Launched on March 21, 2022, this podcast features Maher engaging in conversations with guests on a variety of topics, intentionally avoiding politics.
May 2022: Comments on LGBT Identification Trends
In May 2022, Bill Maher commented on the rise of people identifying as LGBT, suggesting that some of it was due to trends. He also criticized puberty blockers and other transgender healthcare for youth, leading GLAAD to call him transphobic.
2022: Launch of "Club Random" Podcast
Bill Maher started a new venture in 2022 with the launch of his podcast, "Club Random."
2022: Maher Criticizes Democratic Party
In 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Democratic Party for prioritizing diversity over merit in selecting candidates. He also spoke out against critical race theory but supported teaching the history of racism.
2022: Criticism of Biden Administration's Disinformation Governance Board
In 2022, Bill Maher criticized the Biden administration's establishment of the Disinformation Governance Board, comparing it to the Ministry of Truth from George Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four."
2022: Maher Blames Hollywood for Gun Violence
In 2022, Bill Maher attributed mass shootings partly to Hollywood's romanticization of gun violence in movies. Despite his dislike for guns, he acknowledged that their existence 'levels the playing field.'
September 13, 2023: Announcement to Restart HBO Show
On September 13, 2023, Bill Maher announced on Twitter that he planned to restart a version of his HBO show.
September 2023: Criticism of WGA Strike
In September 2023, Bill Maher criticized the WGA strike on his podcast, stating that writers are not owed a living and that some demands were 'kooky.' However, he noted that some grievances were legitimate and expressed a wish for Governor Gavin Newsom to end the strike.
2023: Maher Comments on 2023 Israel-Hamas War
In 2023, Bill Maher condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants on Israel, referring to it as Israel’s 9/11. He cautioned Israel not to lose the moral high ground in the ongoing conflict and expressed disappointment with former President Barack Obama’s comments on the war.
2023: Criticism of Biden Administration
In 2023, Bill Maher criticized the Biden administration for its support of preferred gender pronouns and discussions of sexuality within schools.
February 2024: Withholds Kanye West Interview for "Club Random"
In February 2024, Bill Maher decided to not release a recorded interview with Kanye West for his "Club Random" podcast, citing West's recent antisemitic comments as the reason.
March 2024: Establishes Club Random Studios
Expanding his presence in the podcasting realm, Bill Maher, in collaboration with Chris Casey and Chuck LaBella, launched Club Random Studios in March 2024.
March 15, 2024: Parts Ways with CAA
On March 15, 2024, after being excluded from Bryan Lourd's private Oscar party, Bill Maher ended his professional relationship with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA).