Bill Maher

Bill Maher is a comedian, author and host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. Maher's politically-charged commentaries and libertarian views on everything from the legalization of marijuana, breast-feeding and gay marriage have been known to offend viewers from both ends of the political spectrum. Maher is also an outspoken Apatheist and an advisory board member of The Reason Project, an organization dedicated to "spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society."

Maher began his career as a stand-up comedian in the mid-70s and began appearing on late night television in the early 80s. Maher parlayed his stand-up success into a modest film career, appearing in D.C. Cab and Pizza Man.

He began participating in popular political discourse on a national stage with the 1993 debut of Politically Incorrect, a late night panel talk show. Maher's contract with ABC, which had picked up the show from Comedy Central, was not renewed when he made a controversial statement on the air following September 11th.

Within a year following Politically Incorrect's demise, HBO began airing Real Time with Bill Maher with its popular "New Rules" commentary segment. "New Rules" inspired the 2005 publication of Maher's New Rules: Polite Musings for a Timid Observer.

Maher's documentary film Religulous is set for release on June 20, 2008.

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• January 20, 1956: Born

• 1994-2002: Politically Incorrect

• 2003- Present: Real Time with Bill Maher

• 2006: Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher

• 2008: Releases Documentary Religulous