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Bill
Maher
is best known for his work as a comedian,
writer, producer, and actor. He is famous
for his television show Politically Incorrect
which ran from 1994 until 2002. The show
was cancelled he commented on the "cowardly"
actions of the US in relation to the terrorist
attacks on the US. Maher was later awarded
the L.A. Press Club's President's Award
for his support of free speech and later
became the host of Real Time with Bill
Maher.
Bill
Maher was born on January 20, 1956 in
New York City to Julie, a nurse, and William
Maher, a television news editor and radio
announcer. Maher spent his childhood in
New Jersey where he attended Pascack High
School and eventually moved back to New
York to study English at Cornell University.
Maher
graduated from Cornell in 1978 and fell
into comedy shortly thereafter. He hosted
the New York City comedy club Catch a
Rising Star in 1979 and began performing
as a stand up comedian in the area. His
networking skills and developing talent
landed him appearances on David Letterman's
show and Johnny Carson's program in 1982
after which he branched out into acting
and appeared in a number of television
shows in small, mostly comedic roles.
Bill
Maher has always been outspoken on his
political and religious views, often incorporating
them into his stand-up routines and later
into his show Politically Incorrect. Although
he grew up in a very Catholic household,
Maher has often poked fun at the Catholic
church, it's hold in society, and the
views associated with the religion. His
views against organized religion are common
themes throughout his routines.
As
a self-proclaimed libertarian and liberal,
Maher has a record of supporting traditionally
democratic and liberal views such as the
privatization of social security, the
legalization of marijuana, and the right
to abortion and euthanasia. He's addressed
all of his views throughout his comedic
career, especially during changes in government
or Presidential elections.
Maher's
opinions caused quite a stir in September
2001 when he commented on the attacks
on the World Trade Center earlier that
same month. In his statement, Bill Maher
made a comment that the US was cowardly
for sending missiles thousands of miles
to kill vast populations of people while
the terrorists who attacked the US were
willing to face death for their cause.
He remarks aired on his show Politically
Incorrect and caused his audience to file
complaints with ABC, the network hosting
his show. Advertisers failed to continue
backing the program and ABC cancelled
the show in June of 2002.
The
cancellation of the show drew massive
attention from free-speech activists and
organizations. As a result of his work
in television and his controversial show
and routines, the Los Angeles Press Club
awarded Maher the President's Award for
championing free speech.
Maher's
popularity landed him a show on HBO in
2003 called Real Time with Bill Maher
that was designed to follow the same debate
styles as seen on Politically Incorrect.
Although his views still cause controversy
in some areas of society, Maher has built
a large following of fans who continue
to support his work both on television
and online.
This Bill Maher biography may not
be reproduced online.
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