Bill Maher

Best known for his sharp political satire and sociopolitical commentary, HBO late-night talk-show host and comedian Maher began his stand-up career in 1979, and was host of New York City comedy club Catch a Rising Star. In 1982, Maher began appearing on the Johnny Carson and Dave Letterman shows, and made other television appearances, including a guest appearance on the popular drama Murder She Wrote. After his feature film debut in 1983’s D.C. Cab, Maher appeared in several films, including Rat Boy, Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death and Pizza Man.

For the last 17 years, Maher has pushed the boundaries of how far political humor and satire can go on American television. First on Politically Incorrect (which first aired on Comedy Central before moving to ABC), and for the last seven years on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and scathing humor have garnered him 21 Emmy nominations. In October 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s swipe at organized religion, Religulous, which went on to become the seventh-highest grossing documentary ever.