Background
Bill Maher was born on January 20, 1956 in New York City. Son of Bill and Julie (Berman) Maher.
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comedian political commentator producer author talk show host
Bill Maher was born on January 20, 1956 in New York City. Son of Bill and Julie (Berman) Maher.
Bill graduated from Pascack Hills High School in 1974. Then he attended Cornell University and received his bachelor's degree in 1978.
Maher began his career as comedian and actor in 1983. He has been creator, co-producer, and host of the comedy talk show "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" since 1993. He appeared in films, including "D. C. Cab", Universal, 1983; "Ratboy", Warner Bros., 1986; "House II: The Second Story", New World, 1987; etc. He also appeared in various television films, series, programs, and specials. Maher is also writer for "Politically Incorrect" and for his own comedy specials, contributor of articles to periodicals, including "Playboy".
Maher is highly critical of all religion and views it as highly destructive. He has been described, or self-identified, variously as an agnostic, atheist, and apatheist, while objecting to having his views defined by a single label.
Maher eschews political labels, referring to himself as "practical". In the past, he has described himself as a libertarian, and has also referred to himself "as a progressive, as a sane person". He has also referred to himself as a "9/11 liberal", noting that his formerly liberal view of Islam changed as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and he differentiates himself from liberals of the opinion that all religions are alike. Maher favors ending corporate welfare and federal funding of non-profits as well as the legalization of gambling, prostitution, and cannabis.
Maher has stated that the American Medical Association is a powerful lobbying group and one of the primary reasons why the United States had failed to enact health care reform.
Quotations: "What I've read about what they think I'm saying is not what I've said. I'm not a germ theory denier. I believe vaccinations can work. Polio is a good example. Do I think in certain situations that inoculating Third World children against malaria or diphtheria, or whatever, is right? Of course. In a situation like that, the benefits outweigh costs. But to me living in Los Angeles? To get a flu shot? No".
Maher is a board member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and an advisory board member of Project Reason. Maher is a member of the advisory boards for both the NORML and Marijuana Policy Project, organizations that support regulated legalization of cannabis.
Maher is known for his sarcastic attitude, political satire, and sociopolitical commentary. He targets many topics including religion, politics, bureaucracy, political correctness, and the mass media. He supports the legalization of cannabis and same-sex marriage.
Maher has never married. Regarding marriage, Maher is quoted on his website as saying, "I'm the last of my guy friends to have never gotten married, and their wives - they don't want them playing with me. I'm like the escaped slave - I bring news of freedom". In 2003, he began dating former Playboy Cyber Girl Coco Johnsen. In November 2004, at the end of their 17-month relationship, she sued him for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" for alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments". In 2005, he began dating Karrine Steffans, best-selling author and former hip hop model. From 2009 to 2011, Maher dated former adjunct professor, science educator, and current Skeptics' Guide to the Universe co-host Cara Santa Maria. In 2014, Maher was dating Ontario-born singer Anjulie Persaud.
In 2003, he began dating former Playboy Cyber Girl Coco Johnsen. In November 2004, at the end of their 17-month relationship, she sued him for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" for alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments".
In 2005, he began dating Karrine Steffans, best-selling author and former hip hop model.
From 2009 to 2011, Maher dated former adjunct professor, science educator, and current Skeptics' Guide to the Universe co-host Cara Santa Maria.
In 2014, Maher was dating Ontario-born singer Anjulie Persaud.
