Maher, Bill 1956–

MAHER, Bill 1956–

PERSONAL

Surname is pronounced "mar"; full name, William Maher; born January 20, 1956, in New York, NY; raised in River Vale, NJ; son of Bill (a radio announcer and network news editor) and Julie (a nurse; maiden name, Berman) Maher. Education: Cornell University, B.A., English, 1978.

Addresses:

Agent— Steve Lashever, Creative Artists Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212; (personal appearances) Jackie Miller, Agency for the Performing Arts, 9200 Sunset Blvd., Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Manager— Marc Gurvitz, Brillstein–Grey Entertainment, 9150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 350, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Publicist— PYR Public Relations, 139 South Beverly Dr., Suite 230, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Web

Career:

Actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Appeared as a stand–up comedian in casinos and comedy clubs, including the Improv and Catch a Rising Star, 1978—. Supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Awards, Honors:

Annual CableACE awards (with others), National Cable Television Association, best cable talk show series, 1995 and 1996, Emmy Award nominations (with others), outstanding variety, music, or comedy series, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002, Emmy Award nomination (with others), outstanding individual achievement in writing for a variety or music program, 1996 and 1997, Emmy Award nomination, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program, 1997, Annual CableACE Award nomination (with others), best cable talk show series, 1997, and Television Award nominations (with others), Writers Guild of America, outstanding comedy or variety series, 2001 and 2002, all for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher; President's Award, Los Angeles Press Club, 2002, for "championing free speech"; Grammy Award nomination, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, best spoken–word album, 2003, for When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden; Antoinette Perry Award nomination, c. 2003, for Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program, and Television Award nomination (with others), Writers Guild of America, outstanding comedy or variety series, both 2004, for Real Time with Bill Maher; named one of the "100 greatest stand–ups of all time," Comedy Central, 2004.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Marty Lang, Sara, NBC, 1985.

Host, The Midnight Hour, CBS, 1990.

Elliot, Charlie Hoover, Fox, 1991–92.

Host, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher (also known as Politically Incorrect ), Comedy Central, 1993–96, ABC, 1997–2002.

Host, Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 2003—.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

(In archive footage) Mouthing Off: 51 Greatest Smartasses, Comedy Central, 2004.

(In archive footage) 100 Greatest Stand–Ups of All Time (also known as Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand–Ups of All Time ), Comedy Central, 2004.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Rick, Club Med, ABC, 1986.

Maxwell "Max" Taylor, Out of Time, NBC, 1988.

Television Appearances; Specials:

The Eighth Annual Young Comedians Show, HBO, 1983.

Gower Rhodes, Hard Knocks (also known as Play "Mr. Tambourine Man" for Me ), Showtime, 1987.

Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville, ABC, 1987.

Himself, Election Night Live 1992 (also known as Comedy Central's "Election Night Live 1992" ), Comedy Central, 1992.

Host, Say What?, CBS, 1992.

"We're Mad as Hell Hosted by Dennis Miller," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1992.

Indecision '92, Comedy Central, 1992.

But … Seriously, Showtime, 1994.

Comic Relief VI, HBO, 1994.

State of the Union Undressed '94, Comedy Central, 1994.

"Bill Maher: Stuff That Struck Me Funny," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1995.

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, HBO, 1995.

Anchor, Indecision '96: The Democratic National Convention, Comedy Central, 1996.

Anchor, Indecision '96: The Republican National Convention, Comedy Central, 1996.

Host, Setting the Agenda: Indecision '96, Comedy Central, 1996.

Catch a Rising Star 50th Anniversary—Give or Take 26 Years, CBS, 1996.

Comedy Club Superstars, ABC, 1996.

State of the Union Undressed '96, Comedy Central, 1996.

Host, Politically Incorrect's "Greatest Hits with Bill Maher," ABC, 1997.

Host, Steve Allen's 75th Birthday Celebration, PBS, 1997.

Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special, HBO, 1997.

50 Years of Television: A Celebration of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Golden Anniversary, HBO, 1997.

A Gala for the President at Ford's Theatre, ABC, 1997.

Host, M*A*S*H, Tootsie & God: A Tribute to Larry Gelbart, PBS, 1998.

Sex with Cindy Crawford, ABC, 1998.

Mediator and host, Politically Incorrect After Party Presented by Pepsi, ABC, 1999.

E! Rack–n–Roll: Behind the Scenes, E! Entertainment Television, 1999.

Fall in Love with a Stranger, PAX TV, 1999.

The Great American History Quiz, History Channel, 1999.

NFL All–Star Blitz, CBS, 1999.

Host, The Politically Incorrect After Party, ABC, 2000.

Bill Maher: Be More Cynical, HBO, 2000.

The Great American History Quiz: Pursuit of Happiness, History Channel, 2000.

Himself, VH1 News Special: Islamabad Rock City, VH1, 2001.

Host, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher After Party, ABC, 2001.

The College of Comedy with Alan King III, PBS, 2001.

Himself, Heroes of Black Comedy, Comedy Central, 2002.

Himself, Inside the Playboy Mansion, Arts and Entertainment, 2002.

(In archive footage) Hello, He Lied, & Other Truths from the Hollywood Trenches, American Movie Classics, 2002.

Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Bravo, 2002.

Presenter, VH1 Big in '03, VH1, 2003.

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home, HBO, 2003.

Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Arts and Entertainment, 2003.

Uncensored Comedy: That's Not Funny, Trio, 2003.

Himself, Choose or Lose Presents: The Best Place to Start, MTV, 2004.

Himself, Escape to Canada, Documentary Channel, 2004.

Himself, When Stand–Up Comics Ruled the World, VH1, 2004.

Comedy Central's Bar Mitzvah Bash!, Comedy Central, 2004.

(In archive footage) 101 Biggest Celebrity Oops, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

Also appeared in The Tonight Show Anniversary Show, NBC.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

The 11th Annual CableACE Awards, multiple channels, 1990.

Host, The 16th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1995.

The 17th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1995.

Host, The 1996 Clio Awards, Fox, 1996.

Presenter, The 1996 Emmy Awards, ABC, 1996.

The 10th Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1996.

Presenter, The 11th Annual American Comedy Awards, ABC, 1997.

Presenter, The 19th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1997.

Presenter, The 23rd Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1997.

Host, The 1998 Genesis Awards, Animal Planet, 1998.

Presenter, TV Guide Awards, Fox, 1999.

Presenter, The 26th Annual American Music Awards, ABC, 1999.

Presenter, The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 2000.

Presenter, The Second Annual TV Guide Awards, Fox, 2000.

Presenter, The 28th Annual American Music Awards, ABC, 2001.

The 2001 Genesis Awards, Animal Planet, 2001.

The 2001 TV Guide Awards, Fox, 2001.

Host, The Seventh Annual Critics Choice Awards, E! Entertainment Television, 2002.

Presenter, The 29th Annual American Music Awards, ABC, 2002.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, multiple appearances, beginning 1982.

Officer Gary Conroy, "Vera's Anniversary Blues," Alice, CBS, 1984.

Himself, Our Time, NBC, 1985.

Guest, Late Night with David Letterman, multiple appearances, 1986–99.

Haskel, "Whackets," Max Headroom, Cinemax and ABC, 1987.

Norm Murphy, "The Buck Stops Here," Newhart, CBS, 1988.

Rick Rivers, "Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1989.

One Night Stand, HBO, 1989, 1992.

Frank Albertson, "Good–Bye Charlie," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1990.

"Comic Strip Live on Campus," Comic Strip Live, 1990.

London Underground, Comedy Central, 1991.

The A–List, Comedy Central, 1992.

Adam, "You Can't Miss," Married … with Children, Fox, 1993.

Bob, "It Was Twenty Years Ago Today," Roseanne, ABC, 1993.

Mr. Lorre, "Strike," The Jackie Thomas Show, ABC, 1993.

Guest, "Freedom of Speech," Dennis Miller Live, HBO, 1995.

Voice, Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist (animated), Comedy Central, 1995.

Himself, "Mr. Montgomery Goes to Washington," Dharma & Greg, ABC, 1997.

Himself, "The Roast," The Larry Sanders Show, HBO, 1997.

Himself, "One Wedding and Val's Funeral," V.I.P. (also known as V.I.P.—Die Bodyguards ), syndicated, 1998.

Guest, "Drugs," Dennis Miller Live, HBO, 1998.

Celebrity square, Hollywood Squares, syndicated, 1998.

Sin City Spectacular (also known as Penn & Teller's "Sin City Spectacular" ), 1998.

Guest, Howard Stern, E! Entertainment Television, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

Himself, "Higher Calling," Snoops, ABC, 1999.

Himself, "Politically Impolite," Brother's Keeper, ABC, 1999.

Himself, "Politically Incorrect," Spin City (also known as Spin ), ABC, 1999.

Guest, The Martin Short Show, syndicated, 1999.

Guest, The View, ABC, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.

Guest, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1999, 2004.

Himself, "Adam West: Behind the Cowl," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 2000.

Guest, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC, multiple appearances, beginning 2001.

Himself, "Penetration Island," Son of the Beach, F/X, 2002.

Guest, "Freedom of Speech," Dennis Miller Live, HBO, 2002.

Guest, Mohr Sports, 2002.

Himself, "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons," The Greatest, 2003.

Guest, Hannity & Colmes, Fox News Channel, 2004.

Guest, Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 2004.

Guest, Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC, 2004.

Guest, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, CBS, 2004.

Guest, Mad TV, Fox, 2004.

Guest, The O'Reilly Factor, Fox News Channel, 2004.

Guest, Steve Harvey's "Big Time Challenge" (also known as Big Time and Steve Harvey's "Big Time" ), The WB, 2004.

Himself, Hannity & Colmes, Fox News, 2005.

Himself, Tavis Smiley, PBS, 2005.

Also appeared in Ally McBeal, Fox; The Bob Monkhouse Show; The Merv Griffin Show, NBC, syndicated, and CBS; Pros & Cons, Court TV; Steve Allen's Music Room; and Weakest Link, NBC.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Freddie, Rags to Riches (also known as Foley and The Girls from St. Mags ), 1986.

Host, You!, Fox, 1999.

Primetime Glick, Comedy Central, 2001.

Television Work; Series:

Editor, Fame, Fortune, and Romance, ABC, 1986.

Creator and executive producer (with Scott Carter), Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher (also known as Politically Incorrect ), Comedy Central, 1993–96, ABC, 1997–2002.

Executive producer, Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 2003—.

Television Executive Producer; Specials:

"Bill Maher: Stuff That Struck Me Funny," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1995.

Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special, HBO, 1997.

(And creator) Politically Incorrect's "Greatest Hits with Bill Maher," ABC, 1997.

(And creator) Politically Incorrect After Party Presented by Pepsi, ABC, 1999.

Bill Maher: Be More Cynical, HBO, 2000.

(And creator) The Politically Incorrect After Party, ABC, 2000.

(And creator) Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher After Party, ABC, 2001.

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home, HBO, 2003.

Television Executive Producer; Pilots:

You!, Fox, 1999.

Film Appearances:

Bill (some sources cite Baba), D.C. Cab (also known as Street Fleet ), Universal, 1983.

Party guest, Ratboy, Warner Bros., 1986.

John, House II: The Second Story, New World, 1987.

Jim, Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (also known as Jungle Heat and Piranha Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death ), Guacamole, 1989.

Elmo Bunn, Pizza Man, Jonathan F. Lawton, 1991.

Bimbo Movie Bash, Amazing Fantasy Entertainment, 1997.

Himself, Primary Colors (also known as Perfect Couple and Mit aller Macht ), Universal, 1998.

Host, EDtv (also known as Ed TV ), Universal 1999.

Himself, Last Party (documentary; also known as The Party's Over ), Film Movement, 2001.

(Uncredited) Carlos, Tomcats, Columbia, 2001.

Himself, John Q., New Line Cinema, 2002.

Himself, Earthlings (documentary), 2003.

Himself, Stupidity (documentary), Trailervision, 2003.

Himself, Is It True What They Say about Ann? (short documentary film), DVD International, 2004.

Himself, The Aristocrats, ThinkFilm, 2005.

Himself, Inside Deep Throat (documentary), Universal, 2005.

Stage Appearances:

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home (solo show), Virginia Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Hollywood Hell House, Los Angeles production, 2004.

Also appeared in Seymour Glick Is Alive but Sick.

Major Tours:

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home (solo show), U.S. cities, 2002.

Radio Appearances; Episodic:

Guest, The Howard Stern Radio Show, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

Political Incorrections, c. 1997.

Reader, When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden, New Millennium Audio, 2003.

Videos:

Nothin' Goes Right (also known as Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right ), 1988.

Video Games:

Member of comics table, Don't Quit Your Day Job, 1996.

WRITINGS

Teleplays; Series:

(With others) Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher (also known as Politically Incorrect ), Comedy Central, 1993–96, ABC, 1997–2002.

Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO, 2003—.

Teleplays; Specials:

"Bill Maher: Stuff That Struck Me Funny," HBO Comedy Hour, HBO, 1995.

Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special, HBO, 1997.

Politically Incorrect After Party Presented by Pepsi, ABC, 1999.

Bill Maher: Be More Cynical, HBO, 2000.

Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher After Party, ABC, 2001.

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home, HBO, 2003.

Teleplays; Pilots:

You!, Fox, 1999.

Writings for the Stage:

Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home (solo show; based on the book When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden: What the Government SHOULD Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism ), tour of U.S. cities, 2002, then Virginia Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Writings; Other:

True Story: A Comedy Novel, Random House, 1994.

Does Anyone Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits, Villard Books, 1996.

When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden: What the Government SHOULD Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism (posters and essays), New Millennium, 2002.

Contributor to periodicals, including Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, New York Post, People Weekly, Playboy, San Francisco Chronicle, TV Guide, Village Voice, and Washington Post.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Authors and Artists for Young Adults, Volume 56, Gale, 2004.

Periodicals:

Austin–American Statesman, November 15, 2004.

Details, Volume 15, number 6, 1996, pp. 120–22, 127, 182.

Los Angeles, February, 1996, p. 60.

Mother Jones, January/February, 1998, p. 67.

People Weekly, August 7, 2000, p. 24.

Playboy, August, 1997, p. 51.

Rolling Stone, March 21, 1996, p. 109; April 15, 1999, pp. 57–59.

TV Guide, April 6, 1996, pp. 38–41; February 8, 1997, p. 30; February 16, 2002, pp. 24–26, 59; June 22, 2002, p. 3.

U.S. News & World Report, January 20, 1997, p. 59.