View source for Bill Maher

{{Short description|American comedian and television host (born 1956)}}
{{other people}}
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{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name         = Bill Maher
| image        = BillMaherSept10.jpg
| caption      = Maher in 2010
| birth_name   = William Maher
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1956|1|20}}
| birth_place  = [[New York City]], U.S.
| medium       = {{hlist|[[Stand-up comedy|Stand-up]]|[[Television show|television]]|[[film]]|[[Literature|books]]|[[podcast]]}}
| education    = [[Cornell University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| active       = 1979–present
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Political satire|Political]]/[[news satire]]|[[observational comedy]]|[[insult comedy]]|[[black comedy]]|[[cringe comedy]]|[[sarcasm]]}}
| subject      = {{hlist|[[Mass media]]|[[news media]]|[[media studies|media criticism]]|[[Politics of the United States|American politics]]|[[Culture of the United States|American culture]]|[[News|current events]]|[[religion]]|[[popular culture|pop culture]]}}
| influences   =
| influenced   =
| website      = {{URL|billmaher.com}}
}}
'''William Maher'''<ref name=fdr1>Stated on ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', January 12, 2016, PBS; on a series that lists "Jr." and "Sr." distinctions, Bill Maher's birth name was listed simply as William Maher, while his father was William Aloysius Maher Jr., and his paternal grandfather was William Aloysius Maher Sr.</ref> ({{IPAc-en|m|ɑːr}} {{respell|MAR}}; born January 20, 1956)<ref name=filmref /> is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is popularly known for the [[HBO]] political talk show ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'' (2003–present) and the similar [[Late-night television in the United States|late-night show]] called ''[[Politically Incorrect]]'' (1993–2002), originally on [[Comedy Central]] and later on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. In 2022, Maher started the podcast ''Club Random''.<ref name=":2" />

Maher is best known for his [[political satire]]<ref>{{cite book|last=True|first=Cynthia|year=2002|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|publisher=HarperCollins|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|isbn=978-0-38080-377-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/87 87]}}</ref> and sociopolitical commentary. He targets many topics including religion, political correctness, and the mass media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://text.npr.org/4792262|title=Political Satirist Bill Maher's 'New Rules{{'-}} |publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=January 23, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110219031226/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4792262|archive-date=February 19, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> His critical views of religion were the basis for his 2008 documentary film ''[[Religulous]]''. He is a supporter of [[animal rights]], having served on the board of [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] since 1997.<ref name="US magazine">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Us Weekly |date=2015-01-23 |title=Bill Maher: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/bill-maher-25-things-you-dont-know-about-me-2015231/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=CNNPETA>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0308/28/lkl.00.html|title=Interview with Larry King, 9-28-03|quote=Larry, I'm a PETA board member.|publisher=CNN}}</ref>{{Needsupdate|reason=There are no current mentions of Maher on PETA's website, and both existing citations are more than ten years old.|date=November 2025}} Maher supports the [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalization of cannabis]], serving on the advisory board of [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws|NORML]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://norml.org/advisory-board|title=Advisory Board|website=norml.org}}</ref>

In 2005, Maher ranked at No. 38 on [[Comedy Central]]'s 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/100greatest/list.jhtml|title=Comedy Central's Top 100|access-date=April 4, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404175840/http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/100greatest/list.jhtml|archive-date=April 4, 2005}}</ref> He received a [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] star in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill Maher gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-09-14-maher-hollywood-star_N.htm|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Maher has earned 41 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations and a win for his work as executive producer for ''[[Vice (TV series)|Vice]]'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/bill-maher|title=Bill Maher - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins|access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> He has also received nominations for two [[Grammy Awards]] and a [[Tony Award]].

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==Early life and education==
William Maher was born in New York City. His father, William Aloysius Maher Jr.,<ref name=fdr1/> was a network news editor and radio announcer, and his mother, Julie Maher (née Berman), was a nurse.<ref name="filmref">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/32/Bill-Maher.html|title=Bill Maher Biography|publisher=Film Reference|access-date=January 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108083123/http://www.filmreference.com/film/32/Bill-Maher.html|archive-date=January 8, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> He was raised in his [[Irish Americans|Irish-American]] father's [[Roman Catholic]] religion. Until his early teens, he was unaware that his mother, whose family was from [[Hungarian American|Hungary]], was [[Jews|Jewish]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dead-frog.com/comedians/comic/bill_maher|title=Bill Maher|work=Dead-Frog|access-date=April 10, 2013|quote=Part Hungarian part Irish...|archive-date=March 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320232445/http://www.dead-frog.com/comedians/comic/bill_maher|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/24/lkl.00.html|title=Interview With Bill Maher|date=May 24, 2002|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 17, 2008|quote= My mother is Jewish. But I never even knew I was half-Jewish until I was a teen-ager.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date= November–December 2008|last= Carlin-McCall|first= Kelly|url= http://www.irishabroad.com/irishworld/irishamericamag/octnov08/features/bill-maher-octnov08.asp|title= The Real Bill|publisher= [[Irish America magazine]]|access-date= April 23, 2010|quote= So the fact that I'm half Irish and half Jewish, they both contributed to a sense of humor.|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100302004750/http://www.irishabroad.com/irishworld/irishamericamag/octnov08/features/bill-maher-octnov08.asp|archive-date= March 2, 2010|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date= July 2011|last= Morgan|first= Piers|url= http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/maher-on-religion/|title= Bill Maher explains his 'apatheism,' apathetic atheism|publisher= CNN|access-date= July 12, 2011|quote= ... and I was raised Catholic. I was never Jewish|archive-date= March 30, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160330080205/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/maher-on-religion/|url-status= dead}}</ref> Owing to his disagreement with the [[Catholic Church and abortion|Catholic Church's doctrine]] about [[birth control]], Maher's father stopped taking Maher and his sister to [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Catholic Mass]] when Maher was thirteen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/10/03/Diversions/Getting.Blasphemous.In.The.Presence.Of.Bill.Maher-3467097.shtml|title=Getting Blasphemous in the Presence of Bill Maher|publisher=Media.www.diamondbackonline.com|access-date=October 18, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221013449/http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/10/03/Diversions/Getting.Blasphemous.In.The.Presence.Of.Bill.Maher-3467097.shtml|archive-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref>

Maher was raised in [[River Vale, New Jersey]], and graduated from [[Pascack Hills High School]] in [[Montvale, New Jersey|Montvale]] in 1974.<ref name=filmref/><ref name="Bloom"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Monthly |first=New Jersey |date=2015-12-14 |title=Bill Maher: Jersey Rules |url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/bill-maher-jersey-rules/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=New Jersey Monthly |quote=You can take Bill Maher out of New Jersey, but you can't take the Joizy out of the host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. The provocative comic says growing up in River Vale (Pascack Hills High School, class of '74) has had a profound impact on him as a Californian.}}</ref> He then attended [[Cornell University]], where he double-majored in English and history, and graduated in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-ivyleague/29|title=Entertainment; Ivy League Celebrities|publisher=Comcast.net|access-date=November 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808123410/http://www.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-ivyleague/29|archive-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref> Maher has said, "Selling [[Cannabis (drug)|pot]] allowed me to get through college and make enough money to start off in comedy."<ref name="Bloom">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-05/bill-maher-how-did-i-get-here|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914062011/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-05/bill-maher-how-did-i-get-here|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2013|title=Bill Maher: How did I get here?|magazine=Bloomberg BusinessWeek|date=September 5, 2013|access-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career===
Maher began his career as a comedian and actor. He was host of the New York City comedy club [[Catch a Rising Star (comedy clubs)|Catch a Rising Star]] in 1979. Maher began appearing on [[Johnny Carson]]'s and [[David Letterman]]'s shows in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher |url=https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/bill-maher/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en}}</ref> He made limited television appearances including on ''[[Sara (U.S. 1985 TV series)|Sara]]'' (1985),<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|title=Bill Maher Filmography|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/44630/Bill-Maher/filmography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620224945/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/44630/Bill-Maher/filmography|url-status=dead|work=[[The New York Times]]|year=2015|archive-date=June 20, 2015}}</ref> ''[[Max Headroom (TV series)|Max Headroom]]'' (1987),<ref>''Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows''; Harris M. Lentz; McFarland Publishing, 2001; Pg. 1944</ref> ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (1989, 1990),<ref name=NYT/> and ''[[Charlie Hoover]]'' (1991). His feature film debut was in ''[[D.C. Cab]]'' (1983).<ref name=NYT/> He later appeared in ''[[Ratboy]]'' (1986),<ref name=NYT/> ''[[House II: The Second Story]]'' (1987),<ref name=NYT/> ''[[Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death]]'' (1988),<ref name=NYT/> ''[[Newhart (TV series)|Newhart]]'' (1988), hosted the talk show ''Midnight Hour'' on CBS (1990) and ''[[Pizza Man (1991 film)|Pizza Man]]'' (1991).<ref name=NYT/>

===Television career===
====''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher''====
{{Main|Politically Incorrect}}
[[File:SethMcFarlaneBillMaherSept10.jpg|thumb|[[Seth MacFarlane]] speaking at a ceremony for Maher to receive a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in September 2010]]

Maher assumed the host role on ''Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher'', a late-night political talk show that ran on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 and on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from 1997 to 2002. The show regularly began with a topical monologue by Maher preceding the introduction of four guests, usually a diverse group of individuals, such as show business, popular culture, political pundits, political consultants, authors, and occasionally news figures. The group would discuss topical issues selected by Maher, who also participated in the discussions.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/27/arts/television-lots-of-political-humor-and-no-morton-kondracke.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/M/Maher,%20Bill|title=TELEVISION; Lots of Political Humor and No Morton Kondracke|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 27, 1994|last=Carter|first=Bill|access-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref> [[Jerry Seinfeld]], a regular guest on the show, stated that ''Politically Incorrect'' reminded him of talk shows from the 1950s and '60s "when guests interacted with each other as much as with the host".<ref name="nytimes"/>

''Politically Incorrect'' won an array of awards, including an [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Technical Direction, two [[CableACE]] awards for Best Talk Show Series, and a [[Genesis Award]] for Best Television Talk Show. Maher earned numerous award nominations for his producing, writing, and hosting of ''Politically Incorrect'', including ten Emmy nominations, two [[TV Guide]] nominations, and two [[Writers Guild of America|Writers Guild]] nominations. ABC decided against renewing Maher's contract for ''Politically Incorrect'' in 2002, after he made a controversial on-air remark six days after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebigstory.org/ov/ov-politicallyincorrect.html|title=The Big Story: Politically Incorrect|access-date=June 19, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713120522/http://thebigstory.org/ov/ov-politicallyincorrect.html|archive-date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> He agreed with his guest, conservative pundit [[Dinesh D'Souza]], that the 9/11 terrorists did not act in a cowardly manner (in rebuttal to [[George W. Bush|President Bush]]'s statement calling them cowards). Maher said, "We have been the cowards. Lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building. Say what you want about it. Not cowardly. You're right." Maher later clarified that his comment was not anti-military in any way whatsoever, referencing his well-documented longstanding support for the American military.<ref>{{cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Danny|title=It's a Free Country: Personal Freedom in America After September 11|publisher=RDV Books|year=2002|page=[https://archive.org/details/itsfreecountrype00gold/page/77 77]|isbn=0-9719206-0-5|url=https://archive.org/details/itsfreecountrype00gold/page/77}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Garofoli|first=Joe|title=Talk host's towering rant: S.F. not worth saving|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/11/11/MNGFMFMNV41.DTL|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=October 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102175526/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2005%2F11%2F11%2FMNGFMFMNV41.DTL|archive-date=November 2, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> After receiving complaints, [[FedEx]] and [[Sears]] pulled their advertisements from the show, costing the show significant revenue.<ref>{{cite news|last=Navasky|first=Victor|title=Profiles in Cowardice|url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011105/navasky|newspaper=[[The Nation]]|access-date=October 9, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219013254/http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011105/navasky|archive-date=December 19, 2008}}</ref><ref name=Sayre>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjnUyVhccr4C&pg=PA389|title=Entertainment and Society: Influences, Impacts, and Innovations|last1=Sayre|first1=Shay|last2=King|first2=Cynthia|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2010|edition=2|isbn=9780203882931|access-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref>

Maher's remarks after 9/11 were not the first time he had sparked controversy on ''Politically Incorrect''. In the same year, he expressed his deep regrets and apologized after being widely criticized for comparing his dogs to mentally disabled children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/18/us/tv-host-s-words-draw-criticism-and-apology.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=TV Host's Words Draw Criticism and Apology|date=January 18, 2001|access-date=April 1, 2010}}</ref> The show was canceled on June 16, 2002; the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] had dropped the show from its [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]-[[Network affiliate|affiliated]] stations several months earlier. On June 22, 2002, six days after the cancellation of ''Politically Incorrect'', Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club president's award (for "championing free speech").<ref name=Sayre/> Maher was on the board of judges for the 2002 [[PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award]], which was given to writer [[Vanessa Leggett]], imprisoned for 168 days for protecting sources and research notes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-04-11 |title=Vanessa Leggett to receive 2002 PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award |url=https://pen.org/press-release/vanessa-leggett-to-receive-2002-pennewmans-own-first-amendment-award/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=PEN America |language=en-US}}</ref>

====''Real Time with Bill Maher''====
{{Main|Real Time with Bill Maher}}
In 2003, Maher became the host, co-producer, and co-writer of ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', a weekly hour-long political comedy talk show on the cable television network [[HBO]]. In 2016, HBO renewed ''Real Time'' through 2018, for its 15th and 16th seasons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Prudom|first1=Laura|title={{-'}}Real Time With Bill Maher' Renewed Through 2018|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/real-time-with-bill-maher-renewed-season-15-16-1201827123/|access-date=August 1, 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 30, 2016}}</ref> During an interview, Maher told [[Terry Gross]] (on NPR's ''[[Fresh Air]]'') that he much prefers having serious and well-informed guests on his program, as opposed to the random celebrities that fleshed out his roundtable discussions on ''Politically Incorrect''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4490632|publisher=NPR|title=Bill Maher: Four More Years|date=February 8, 2005|access-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref>

As with his previous show, ''Politically Incorrect'', Maher begins ''Real Time'' with a comic opening monologue based upon current events and other topical issues. He proceeds to a one-on-one interview with a guest, either in-studio or via satellite. Following the interview, Maher sits with two or three panelists—usually consisting of pundits, authors, activists, actors, politicians, and journalists—for a discussion of the week's events.

''Real Time'' has earned widespread praise. It has been nominated for more than ten Primetime Emmy Awards and six [[Writers Guild of America|Writer's Guild]] awards. In 2007, Maher and his co-producers were awarded the Television Producer of the Year Award in Variety Television by the Producers Guild of America.<ref>[http://www.producersguild.org/?page=PGA_Award_19902010&hhSearchTerms=PGA+and+Award+and+Winners+and+1990-2010 Producers Guild of America Awards – Winners 1990-2010]; PGA.org; May 29, 2012</ref> Maher holds the record for the most Emmy nominations without a win, having been nominated on 22 occasions and not winning once. Eleven of the nominations were for ''Politically Incorrect'', while nine were for ''Real Time''. The other two were nominations for two of his HBO comedy specials: ''[[I'm Swiss]]'' and ''[[Bill Maher: The Decider]]''.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/07/will-emmys-biggest-loser-bill-maher-ever-win.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Gold Derby | date=July 20, 2009 | access-date=July 22, 2009 | archive-date=July 13, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713022901/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2009/07/will-emmys-biggest-loser-bill-maher-ever-win.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Political commentator===
Maher is a frequent commentator on various cable news networks, including [[CNN]], [[MSNBC]], [[Fox News]], and [[HLN (TV channel)|HLN]]. Maher has regularly appeared on CNN's ''[[The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer]]''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvguide.com/News/Zach-Galifianakis-Joint-1024995.aspx|title=Bill Maher: Zach Galifianakis Did Not Light Up a Real Joint|author=Robyn Ross|work=TV Guide|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214111348/http://www.tvguide.com/news/zach-galifianakis-joint-1024995.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and has also been a frequent guest on [[MSNBC]]'s ''[[Hardball with Chris Matthews]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11366025|title=Bill Maher plays Hardball|publisher=MSN}}</ref> ''[[The Rachel Maddow Show (TV series)|The Rachel Maddow Show]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-hosts-the-irachel_b_144514.html|title=Arianna Hosts The Rachel Maddow Show with Guests Bill Maher, Lawrence O'Donnell, Nate Silver, Cory Booker and Google's Eric Schmidt|work=HuffPost|date=December 18, 2008}}</ref> and ''[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msnbc.com/|title=Maher on Countdown with Keith Olbermann (video)|publisher=MSNBC|date=January 21, 2011|access-date=November 7, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106044244/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677|archive-date=November 6, 2011}}</ref> Maher has also appeared as a guest on [[HLN (TV channel)|HLN]]'s ''[[The Joy Behar Show]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://joybehar.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/28/bill-maher-spends-some-real-time-with-joy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002121611/http://joybehar.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/28/bill-maher-spends-some-real-time-with-joy|archive-date=October 2, 2010|title=Bill Maher spends some real time with Joy|publisher=CNN}}</ref> He wrote the foreword for the 2002 book, ''Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth'' by show host [[Bill Press]].<ref>''Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth''; Bill Press; Simon & Schuster; 2002; Pg. xi</ref>

Maher hosted the January 13, 2006, edition of ''[[Larry King Live]]'', on which he was a frequent guest. Maher appeared as a special guest on the June 29, 2010, edition of the show, on which CNN anchor [[Larry King]] announced his retirement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-helps-larry-king-say-goodbye/ | publisher=Mediaite|title=Bill Maher helps Larry King say goodbye|access-date=August 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706044557/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-helps-larry-king-say-goodbye|archive-date= July 6, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Maher co-emceed the final show of ''Larry King Live'' on December 16, 2010, with [[Ryan Seacrest]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rowe|first=Douglas J.|url=https://tvguide.com/News/Larry-King-Ends-1026885.aspx|title=Surrounded by Famous Fans, Larry King Ends His 25-Year Run on CNN|work=TV Guide|date=December 16, 2010|access-date=November 7, 2011|archive-date=November 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102022219/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Larry-King-Ends-1026885.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Other work===
In 2004, Maher appeared on stage as Satan in [[The Steve Allen Theater]] production of "Hollywood Hell House", a spoof of Christian-run [[hell house]]s. The show was a faithful reproduction of an evangelistic scare-experience written by Reverend Keenan Roberts to terrify teenagers into declaring themselves Christians. "Our faith is that putting this up as itself, it will hoist itself on its own petard, that it's comical just as it is," explained producer Maggie Rowe. The show featured a rotating cast of over 160 celebrities, including [[Andy Richter]] (Jesus), [[Richard Belzer]], [[Dave Thomas (actor)|Dave Thomas]], [[Traci Lords]], [[Craig Bierko]], [[Sarah Silverman]], and [[Julia Sweeney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-22-ca-artsnotes22.3-story.html|title=Scared straight to Hollywood|first=Lynne|last=Heffley|date=August 22, 2004|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Maher and director [[Larry Charles]] teamed up to make the movie ''[[Religulous]]'', described by trade publication ''Variety'' as a documentary "that spoofs religious extremism across the world". It was released on October 3, 2008.<ref>Demara, Bruce. (September 10, 2007.) [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/254761 "Maher preaches to the TIFF choir"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]''. Retrieved October 9, 2007.{{404|date=July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Ali Jaafar,Dade |date=2007-09-11 |title=Toronto festival wary of serious films |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/toronto-festival-wary-of-serious-films-1117971744/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2013, Maher became one of the [[Executive producer#Television|executive producers]] for the HBO newsmagazine series ''[[Vice (TV series)|Vice]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nededog |first=Jethro |date=2012-05-10 |title=HBO, Bill Maher Team With Vice for Newsmagazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-bill-maher-vice-newsmagazine-show-323023/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>Hinckley, David (April 5, 2013). [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-review-vice-hbo-article-1.1307802 "TV review: 'Vice' on HBO"]. ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]''.</ref> Also in 2013, Maher appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' and offered to pay $5 million to a charity if [[Donald Trump]] would produce his [[birth certificate]] to prove that Trump's mother had not mated with an [[orangutan]]. Maher said this in response to Trump having previously challenged President [[Barack Obama]] to produce his birth certificate, and having offered $5 million payable to a charity of Obama's choice if Obama would produce his college applications, transcripts, and passport records.<ref name="Allen6Feb"/><ref name="Lee1Nov">{{cite news|url=http://nydailynews.com/news/election-2012/trump-puts-kibosh-5m-offer-obama-article-1.1195668|title=Trump puts kibosh on $5M offer to Obama|work=Daily News|location=New York|first=Kristen A.|last=Lee|date=November 1, 2012|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-date=June 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629041046/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election-2012/trump-puts-kibosh-5m-offer-obama-article-1.1195668|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In response to Maher's offer, Trump produced his birth certificate, and then [[Personal and business legal affairs of Donald Trump#2013|Trump launched a lawsuit]] after Maher was not forthcoming, claiming that Maher's $5 million offer was legally binding. "I don't think he was joking", Trump said. "He said it with venom."<ref name="Allen6Feb">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2013/02/06/donald-trump-sues-bill-maher-for-calling-him-the-son-of-an-orangutan|title=Donald Trump Sues Bill Maher for Calling Him the Son of an Orangutan|work=Forbes|date=February 6, 2013|access-date=August 18, 2015|first=Michael E.|last=Allen}}</ref> Trump withdrew his lawsuit against the comedian after eight weeks.<ref name="Ax3April">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE9310PL20130402|title=Trump withdraws 'orangutan' lawsuit against comic Bill Maher|work=[[Reuters]]|date=April 3, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2015|first=Joseph|last=Ax}}</ref>

==== ''Club Random'' podcast ====
{{anchor|Club Random}}On March 21, 2022, Maher launched a podcast titled ''Club Random'', a series hosting one-on-one interviews with guests, recorded in his bar at home, where he discusses everything except politics.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Bill Maher Moves Into Podcasting With 'Club Random' Series, Talks Everything But Politics |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/bill-maher-podcasting-with-club-random-series-1234974767/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Guests have included [[Quentin Tarantino]], [[Jimmy Kimmel]], [[Bella Thorne]], [[Judd Apatow]], [[Mike Tyson]], [[Killer Mike]], and [[William Shatner]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.billmaher.com/videos/club-random-videos/|title= Club Random|website= BillMaher.com|access-date= June 25, 2022}}</ref> In February 2024, Maher revealed that he decided not to release a two-hour interview with [[Kanye West]] recorded for ''Club Random'' because of the rapper's recent antisemitic comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/bill-maher-kanye-west-interview-antisemitism-b2492033.html|title=Bill Maher says he scrapped interview with Kanye West because he's a 'very charming antisemite{{'-}} |website=The Independent |date=February 7, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2024}}</ref> In March 2024, Maher announced that he was starting a podcast network with Chris Casey and Chuck LaBella called ''Club Random Studios''.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/bill-maher-podcast-sage-steele-host-1235860156/|title = Bill Maher to Launch Podcast Network, Hires Ex-ESPN Anchor Sage Steele as First Host|last = Weprin|first = Alex|date = March 27, 2024|accessdate = March 27, 2024|work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In May 2024, Maher told [[Jerry Seinfeld]] on the ''Club Random'' podcast that "after this year, I'm going to stop doing [stand-up]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Bill Maher HBO Comedy Special 'Is Anyone Else Seeing This?' Set for Early 2025 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bill-maher-hbo-comedy-special-2025-1236055806/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Political views==
[[File:Bill Maher and Ingrid Newkirk by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|Maher and [[Ingrid Newkirk]], founder of [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]. Maher is on the board of directors of the animal rights group.]]
Maher often eschews political labels, referring to himself as "practical"; however, he has generally held moderately liberal views over the years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martel|first=Frances|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-to-piers-morgan-palin-can-absolutely-win-in-2012-but-hed-vote-for-bachmann|title=Bill Maher To Piers Morgan: I Hope Sarah Palin And Michele Bachmann 'Split the MILF Vote{{'-}} |publisher=Mediaite|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=November 7, 2011}}</ref> Maher stands against [[political correctness]]. In his words, "The difference is that liberals protect people, and P.C. people protect feelings."<ref name=NYTmag>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/30/magazine/bill-maher-interview.html|last=Marchese|first=David|title=Bill Maher on the perils of political correctness|newspaper=[[The New York Times Magazine]]|date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> In the past, he has also described himself as a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]], and has also referred to himself "as a [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]], as a sane person".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rutenberg |first=Jim |date=2001-10-08 |title=Bill Maher Still Secure In ABC Slot, At Least Now |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/08/business/bill-maher-still-secure-in-abc-slot-at-least-now.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2011/06/14/exp.ac.maher.part1.debate.cnn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025150140/http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2011/06/14/exp.ac.maher.part1.debate.cnn|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2012|title=Maher slams 2012 GOP presidential field (video)|publisher=CNN|date=July 16, 2010}}</ref> In a 2012 panel discussion with [[Salman Rushdie]], Maher counted himself, Rushdie, and others such as [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Sam Harris]] as "9/11 liberals", noting that they differentiate themselves from many mainstream liberals in saying that not all religions are alike and that they are not bigoted in criticizing a particular religion.<ref name=RCP/> He said in a later interview: "It's ridiculous to label criticism of a religion as a phobia of a religion. I'm going to criticize any person or group that violates liberal principles...."<ref name=NYTmag/> He has addressed his Republican fans who have asked him why he, after frequently criticizing the Democratic party over the years for various policies and decisions and being "so good in roasting the [[woke]] nonsense-peddlers", won't just "go all the way and join" the [[Right-wing politics in the United States|right-wing]] by saying that "because I don’t want to live in North Korea".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2025 |title='Let Me Give You The Short Answer': Bill Maher Shares 1 Reason He Won't Join The Right |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-bill-maher-wont-join-the-right_n_67e81e98e4b03539cbafe438 |access-date=March 30, 2025 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

Maher favors the ending of [[corporate welfare]] and federal funding of [[Non-profit organization|non-profits]]; he also favors the legalization of gambling, prostitution, and cannabis.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://norml.org/advisory-board|work=[[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]]|title=NORML Advisory Board|access-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514075613/http://norml.org/advisory-board|archive-date=May 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=http://www.mpp.org/vip/|work=[[Marijuana Policy Project]]|title=MPP Advisory Board|access-date=March 22, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223011150/http://www.mpp.org/vip/|archive-date=February 23, 2012}}</ref> Maher also supports the death penalty.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/15/lkl.01.html Larry King Live – Transcript]; CNN; December 15, 2005</ref> Maher describes himself as an environmentalist, and he has spoken in favor of the [[Kyoto treaty]] on [[global warming]] on his show ''Real Time''. He often criticizes industry figures involved in environmental pollution.<ref name="halem2001">Halem, Dann. (August 1, 2001.) [http://archive.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2001/08/01/maher/index1.html "Is Bill Maher a libertarian?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130125435/http://archive.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2001/08/01/maher/index1.html |date=November 30, 2005 }}, ''Salon'' (news website). Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> He is a board member of [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]].<ref name=CNNPETA/> The comedian has noted the paradox of people claiming they distrusted "elite" politicians while at the same time wanting elite doctors to treat them and elite lawyers to represent them in court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Bill |date=2007-04-14 |title=Say it loud: I'm elite and proud! |url=https://www.salon.com/2007/04/13/pat_robertson/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ogshare&utm_content=og |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Salon.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

After [[NPR]] CEO [[Katherine Maher]] defended NPR's journalism as "completely unbiased" at a [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|congressional]] hearing in March 2025, Bill Maher characterized the radio network as "crazy [[Far-left politics in the United States|far-left]]" and called for defunding [[public media]] outlets, arguing that the country is "past the age" of subsidizing them.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Timotija |first1=Filip |title=Maher rails against NPR CEO, calls for public media funding cuts |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5221851-maher-npr-federal-funding-trump/ |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |access-date=March 30, 2025 |date=March 29, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Bill Maher and Mark Warner.jpg|thumb|Maher with Senator [[Mark Warner]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-Virginia)]]

=== Candidates and endorsements ===
Maher considers himself to be at odds with both the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] and the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref name="News 1"/> In the [[2008 U.S. presidential election]], Maher announced his support for U.S. Senator [[Barack Obama]] (D-IL).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ear to the Ground – Down to the Wire |work=Truthdig |date=February 4, 2008 |url=http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20080204_down_to_the_wire |access-date=October 18, 2010 }}</ref> Although Maher welcomed Obama's electoral victory, he soon became critical of the new president for not acting more boldly on health care reform and other liberal issues.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baram |first=Marcus |date=June 15, 2009 |title=Bill Maher Tells Olbermann Why He's Criticizing Obama |work=HuffPost |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/15/bill-maher-tells-olberman_n_215964.html |access-date=February 14, 2011}}</ref> On February 23, 2012, after his "Crazy Stupid Politics" special streamed on Yahoo! Screen, Maher announced that he was contributing $1 million to [[Priorities USA Action|Priorities USA]], the Obama SuperPAC.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2011 |title=CrazyStupidPolitics: Bill Maher Live on Yahoo! Screen |url=http://screen.yahoo.com/crazystupidpolitics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120224193941/http://screen.yahoo.com/crazystupidpolitics/ |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=172927275690508288|user=billmaher|title=Tweet by Bill Maher|date=February 23, 2012}}</ref> Maher has voted for [[Bob Dole]] and [[Ralph Nader]].<ref name="News 1">{{Cite web |title=Spending Some 'Real Time' With Bill Maher |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=2654307&page=1 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

In the lead-up to the [[2014 United States elections|2014 midterm elections]], Maher conducted a "Flip a District" contest on his HBO show. His audience was asked to select one "terrible, entrenched" member of Congress in a close election race—"the loserest loser of all"—to remove from office. Maher aimed to help oust that representative by shining a "national spotlight" on the politician during segments of his show and stand-up comedy appearances in that member's district during the Fall election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=2014-01-30 |title=Maher Wants His Show to Decide a House Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/31/arts/television/maher-wants-his-show-to-decide-a-house-race.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 3, 2014 |title=Flip a District—Real Time with Bill Maher |url=http://www.real-time-with-bill-maher-blog.com/index/2014/1/31/test}}</ref> Maher ultimately selected [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Representative [[John Kline (politician)|John Kline]] from Minnesota's [[Minnesota's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], but he failed to prevent him from winning against his [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party]] opponent [[Mike Obermueller]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Caputo |first=Marc |title=Covid wars launch DeSantis into GOP 'top tier{{'-}} |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/16/covid-ron-desantis-2024-469071 |access-date=February 16, 2021 |website=Politico |date=February 16, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], Maher initially endorsed Senator [[Bernie Sanders]] on February 5, 2016. Maher later announced his support for [[Hillary Clinton]] after Clinton won the nomination from the [[2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic Party primary elections]] in June 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lapointe |first=Joe |url=https://observer.com/2016/07/bill-maher-im-with-her-or-im-with-stupid/ |title=Bill Maher: 'I'm With Her' or 'I'm With Stupid{{'-}} |work=[[The New York Observer|Observer]] |date=July 29, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2024}}</ref> In October 2016, Maher criticized [[WikiLeaks]] founder [[Julian Assange]] for publishing [[2016 Democratic National Committee email leak|leaks from the DNC's emails]], saying: "I really feel like he's lost his way a little, and he hates Hillary."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-29 |title=Maher and Moore Turn on WikiLeaks |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-and-michael-moore-turn-on-julian-assange-i-feel-like-hes-drifted/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=The Daily Beast |language=en}}</ref> On March 31, 2017, following her defeat, Maher responded on air to suggestions Clinton was ready to end her low profile and speak out: "Hillary, stay in the woods. Okay. You had your shot. You fucked it up. You're [[Bill Buckner]]. We had the [[World Series]], and you let the grounder go through your legs. Let someone else have the chance."<ref>{{cite news |date=April 3, 2017 |title=Bill Maher to Hillary Clinton: 'Stay in the woods, OK? You had your shot{{'-}} |work=[[The Washington Times]] |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/apr/3/bill-maher-to-hillary-clinton-stay-in-the-woods-ok/ |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824114713/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/apr/3/bill-maher-to-hillary-clinton-stay-in-the-woods-ok/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2019, Maher said an [[economic recession]] would be "worth it" if [[Donald Trump]] did not get re-elected in 2020. He said: "We have survived many recessions. We can't survive another Donald Trump term."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-10 |title=Millionaire Bill Maher pushes for recession |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/bill-maher-presses-for-recession |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=FOXBusiness |language=en-US}}</ref>

Over the course of 20 different editions of ''Real Time with Bill Maher'' broadcast between April 13, 2018, and August 7, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher: Trump's Not Leaving {{!}} Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGLrPYu15hI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/HGLrPYu15hI |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |via=YouTube| date=September 25, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> and in several press interviews,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Bill Maher, Bernie Sanders and Trevor Noah fear Trump won't leave if he loses |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-09-28/bill-maher-bernie-sanders-and-trevor-noah-fear-trump-wont-leave-if-he-loses |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Maher predicted that Trump would refuse to concede any loss in the [[2020 United States presidential election]], dedicating a 'New Rules' end segment to the subject on January 25, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Rule: Big Show with Crazy Maniac {{!}} Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZIbipRpjJ4&t=308s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/HZIbipRpjJ4 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |via=YouTube| date=January 24, 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Maher highlighted Trump's own public references to Maher's assertions that Trump was "not going to leave", and quoted Trump's March 14, 2019, assertion, "I have the support of the police, the military, the [[Bikers for Trump|bikers]] [for Trump]" and "the tough people",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Justin |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Trump suggests that it could get 'very bad' if military, police, biker supporters play 'tough{{'-}} |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434110-trump-suggests-that-things-could-get-very-bad-if-military-police |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en}}</ref> citing this as evidence that Trump would seek to remain in office by force. Maher predicted there would be violence by armed Trump supporters attempting to keep Trump in power and criticized Democratic Party politicians for not taking the threat seriously:<blockquote>"So my question to all [[2020 Democratic Party presidential candidates|Democratic candidates]] is: what's the plan? If you win, and the next day he claims he's voiding the election because of irregularities he's hearing about, what do you do? What do you do when the [[2020 VCDL Lobby Day|crowd that was in Virginia this week, 22,000 strong]], marches on Washington? This is a scary moment. And when I've asked Democrats, 'What do we do if he doesn't go?', their answer is always some variation of 'We have to win big!'... First of all, NO! No, we don't have to win by a landslide! Jesus, fucking Democrats! I am so sick of Democrats volunteering to play by two different sets of rules. That's the new paradigm? Republicans can win by one vote, but we're not legitimate unless it's a landslide? Fuck. And two, do you really think it would matter if it was? That they would suddenly get rational about math and facts? They believe Hillary [[Pizzagate conspiracy theory|ran a pedophile ring out of a pizza parlor]]!"</blockquote>Maher later said in an August 15, 2020, interview with ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' that "we've baked it into the cake that he's not going to leave."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hoffman |first=Jordan |date=August 15, 2020 |title=Bill Maher on Trump: 'We've Baked It Into the Cake That He's Not Going to Leave{{'-}} |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/08/bill-maher-on-trump-weve-baked-it-into-the-cake-that-hes-not-going-to-leave |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |language=en-us |access-date=January 10, 2021}}</ref> In the September 25, 2020, edition of ''Real Time'', Maher criticized the framing of a ''[[New York Times]]'' story by [[Michael Crowley (journalist)|Michael Crowley]] headlined "Trump Won't Commit to Peaceful Transfer of Power", which ran on page 15 of the print edition of the paper. Maher asserted, "I got no help from the ''New York Times'', ''[[Washington Post]]'', [or] [[CNN]]", adding that the media "should have amplified" the severity of Trump's threats that he would refuse to concede or commit to a [[peaceful transition of power]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=September 26, 2020 |title=Bill Maher Scolds Media For Being 'No Help Amplifying' His Concerns Donald Trump Won't Leave Office Peacefully |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/bill-maher-donald-trump-wont-leave-office-concerns-media-1234585697/ |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In January 2022, Maher declined to run in the [[2024 United States presidential election]] following speculation by [[Dana Perino]] that he might be called on to do so.<ref>{{Citation |title=New Rule: How the Left Was Lost {{!}} Real Time (HBO) | date=January 28, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdJOLMgY4p0 |language=en |access-date=January 29, 2022}}</ref> In July 2024, he called on [[Joe Biden]] to decline the Democratic party's nomination in order to have an [[brokered convention|open convention]] at the [[2024 Democratic National Convention|Democratic Convention]]; Maher expressed his support for [[Gavin Newsom]] to replace Biden as the party's nominee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maher |first=Bill |date=2024-07-01 |title=Opinion {{!}} Bill Maher: Why I Want an Open Convention |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/01/opinion/bill-maher-open-convention.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In February 2025, Maher endorsed Pennsylvania Senator [[John Fetterman]] for the [[2028 Democratic Party presidential primaries]] and praised his strong support of [[Israel]] and stance against "[[woke]]".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OyDdTJDqTQ |title=New Rule: The Next Democratic Star {{!}} Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) |date=February 28, 2025 |last=Real Time with Bill Maher |access-date=March 14, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

=== National security ===
On June 7, 2013, Maher expressed on his show limited support for the [[National Security Agency|NSA's]] [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] intelligence data collection from private phone calls and the Internet, saying that the threat of terrorists obtaining and using nuclear weapons was the tipping point for him. While he stated that he trusted the Obama administration to employ the program responsibly, he described the NSA's access to private data as a "slippery slope", and worried about whether other politicians would be as responsible.<ref>{{cite web |author=Garcia, Arturo |date=June 7, 2013 |title=Maher defends NSA data searches: It's not because I'm brave, but because I'm scared |url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/07/maher-defends-nsa-data-searches-its-not-because-im-brave-but-because-im-scared |publisher=[[The Raw Story]] |access-date=June 9, 2013 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609061055/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/07/maher-defends-nsa-data-searches-its-not-because-im-brave-but-because-im-scared/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Since the [[9/11 attacks]], he has endorsed certain uses of profiling at airports, saying, "Places like Israel, where they have faced terrorism for a long time, of course understand that profiling is part of all detective work. It's part of all police work. If they stop calling it profiling and start calling it high-intelligence screening or something, people would go, it's about time."<ref name="cnn transcript">(2002-12-16 broadcast.) [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0212/16/ltm.15.html "CNN American Morning with Paula Zahn: Talk with Bill Maher" (Transcript) (Caveat: "This is a rush transcript.")]. Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref>

Maher opposed Trump's [[Executive Order 13769]], which banned entry into the US of citizens from five majority-Muslim countries, and has hosted multiple guests, including [[Sam Harris]] and [[Jim Jefferies]], on his show who have also opposed the order.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Alli |date=February 4, 2017 |title=WATCH: Sam Harris tells Bill Maher we need to win the war of ideas |url=https://www.salon.com/2017/02/04/watch-sam-harris-tells-bill-maher-we-need-to-win-the-war-of-ideas/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=February 11, 2017 |title=See Bill Maher, Jim Jefferies Rip Piers Morgan for Defending Muslim Ban |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/see-bill-maher-jim-jefferies-rip-piers-morgan-for-defending-muslim-ban-129713/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, Maher criticized the Biden administration's [[Disinformation Governance Board]] and agreed with the comparison that the board was similar to the [[Ministry of Truth]] from [[George Orwell]]'s dystopian novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last= MacKinnon |first=Douglas |date=February 6, 2021 |title=Bill Maher for Biden's 'Minister of Truth{{'-}} |url=https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/537292-bill-maher-for-bidens-minister-of-truth/ |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wulfsohn |first=Joseph |date=May 14, 2022 |title=Bill Maher rails against Nina Jankowicz, 'Disinfo Governance Board': 'These are not bright people{{'-}} |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-nina-jankowicz-disinfomation-governance-board |access-date=May 13, 2023 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===
Maher favors having a strong military,<ref>{{Cite web |last1= Weir |first2= Melinda |last2=Arons |first1=Bill|title=Spending Some 'Real Time' With Bill Maher |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=2654307&page=1 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> but has said he is disenchanted with the size of the [[Military of the United States|American military]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=April 23, 2016 |title=Bill Maher Rips U.S. Military: 'The Most Ridiculous… Mass Murder Machine the World Has Ever Seen{{'-}} |language=en |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/22/bill-maher-rips-u-s-military-the-most-ridiculous-mass-murder-machine-the-world-has-ever-seen |access-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref> and [[defense spending]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 23, 2010 |title=Bill Maher Blasts Tea Baggers For Ignoring Defense Spending (VIDEO) |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-maher-to-tea-baggers_n_550430 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=[[HuffPost]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2015, Maher criticized [[Barack Obama]]'s visit to Saudi Arabia, a close [[Saudi Arabia–United States relations|U.S. ally]], saying: "Stop respecting their medieval bullshit under the guise of, 'It's their culture.{{' "}}<ref>{{cite news |date=January 31, 2015 |title=Bill Maher To Obama On Saudi Arabia: 'Stop Respecting Their Medieval Bulls**t{{'-}} |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/bill-maher-obama-saudi-arabia-163320485.html}}</ref> Maher opposed the [[Iraq War]] from the beginning and has summarized his opinion by saying that the United States and the world have had to pay too high a price for the war.<ref>{{cite news |last=Modell |first=Josh |title=Bill Maher |newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] |url=https://www.avclub.com/bill-maher-1798214911 |url-status=live |access-date=October 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914144115/http://www.avclub.com/articles/bill-maher%2C14307 |archive-date=September 14, 2010}}</ref>

On the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]], Maher says he is "more on the side of the Israelis" and does not consider both sides equally guilty. He acknowledges that "Palestinians do have gripes", and he has been critical of [[Israel–United States relations|U.S. financial aid]] to Israel, saying "they don't need our money, they can handle it themselves." Maher says that most Israelis prefer a [[two-state solution]] and oppose the hard-line stance of their government, which he describes as having been taken over by their version of the [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]]. However, Maher has defended Israel's military actions against Palestinians amid criticism over civilian deaths and disproportionate casualty count between Israelis and Palestinians during the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|2014 Gaza war]]. He argues that Israel is still showing restraint, and he finds it ironic that the same people who were incredulous over how the Jews in World War II were led "to their slaughter" cannot understand why they are defending themselves now.<ref name="Jewish Journal" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2014 |title=Bill Maher Defends Israel Again: 'People Die in Wars{{'-}}|website=[[Mediaite]] |url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/%E2%80%98people-die-in-wars%E2%80%99-maher-and-guests-battle-over-gaza-civilian-deaths/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802201309/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/%E2%80%98people-die-in-wars%E2%80%99-maher-and-guests-battle-over-gaza-civilian-deaths/ |archive-date=August 2, 2014 }}</ref> Maher faced online backlash for tweeting at the start of the war, "Dealing w/ Hamas is like dealing w/ a crazy woman who's trying to kill u - u can only hold her wrists so long before you have to slap her".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Hunter |title=Bill Maher Compares Hamas To A 'Crazy Woman' That 'You Have To Slap' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-maher-hamas-is-like-crazy-woman-that-you-have-to-slap-2014-7 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2019, Maher denounced the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement, saying: "It's predicated on this notion ... I think it's very shallow thinking that the Jews in Israel are mostly white and Palestinians are mostly brown, so they must be innocent and correct and the Jews must be wrong."<ref>{{cite news |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Bill Maher fires back at Tlaib after she suggests a boycott of his show |publisher=[[Fox News]]|first=Sam|last=Dorman |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-responds-tlaib-boycott-show}}</ref> He responded to Rep. [[Rashida Tlaib]]'s call to boycott his talk show: "Some people have one move only: boycott. [[Cancel culture|Cancel]]. Make-go-away. But here's the thing, [[United States House of Representatives|the house]] voted 318 to 17 to condemn the #BDS movement, including 93% of Dems. Does Tlaib want to boycott 93% of her own party?"<ref>{{cite news |date=August 24, 2019 |title=Bill Maher invites Rashida Tlaib to discuss Israel, BDS on his show |publisher=[[Fox News]]|first=Joseph|last=Wulfsohn |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bill-maher-rashida-tlaib}}</ref> Condemning the [[October 7 attacks]], Maher spoke about it as Israel's [[9/11]], and took serious issue with people who seemed to applaud these attacks; however, he cautioned Israel not to "lose the moral high ground" in the [[Gaza war]].<ref name="Decider">{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Bill Maher Says Israel Has 'Moral High Ground' In Gaza Conflict On 'Real Time{{'-}} |url=https://decider.com/2023/10/14/bill-maher-says-israel-has-moral-high-ground-in-gaza-conflict-on-real-time |access-date=November 4, 2023 |website=decider.com|language=en |quote=The horrific attack—which saw more than 1,200 Israelis killed—was applauded by some, which Maher is taking serious issue with.}}</ref> Maher expressed disappointment with former President [[Barack Obama]] over his comments on the Gaza war,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bill Maher criticizes Obama's 'moral equivalency' on Israel-Hamas: He 'disappointed me{{'-}} |url=https://time.news/bill-maher-criticizes-obamas-moral-equivalency-on-israel-hamas-he-disappointed-me-fox-news/ |work=Time News |date=November 11, 2023 |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226081853/https://time.news/bill-maher-criticizes-obamas-moral-equivalency-on-israel-hamas-he-disappointed-me-fox-news/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> saying that "there is a big difference between collateral damage and what Hamas did."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Núñez |first1=Joaquín |title=Bill Maher takes aim at Obama for his comments about Israel and Hamas: 'He has rarely disappointed me, he did so this week{{'-}} |url=https://voz.us/bill-maher-takes-aim-at-obama-for-his-comments-about-israel-and-hamas-he-has-rarely-disappointed-me-he-did-so-this-week/?lang=en |work=Voz Media |date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>

In April 2020, Maher criticized those who equated using the term "[[COVID-19|Wuhan virus]]" with [[Xenophobia and racism related to the COVID-19 pandemic|racism]], stating, "Scientists...have been naming diseases after the places they came from for a very long time. [[Zika fever|Zika]] is from the [[Zika Forest]], [[Ebola]] from the [[Ebola River]], [[Orthohantavirus|hantavirus]] the [[Hantan River]]. There's the [[West Nile virus]] and [[Dracunculus medinensis|Guinea worm]] and [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]] and, of course, the [[Spanish flu]]." He added: "This has nothing to do with Asian Americans, and it has everything to do with China."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Concha |first1=Joe |date=April 11, 2020 |title=Bill Maher defends calling coronavirus 'Chinese virus,' mocks Ted Lieu |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/492340-bill-maher-defends-calling-coronavirus-chinese-virus-mocks-ted-lieu}}</ref> In March 2021, Maher criticized China's [[Persecution of Uyghurs in China|treatment of Uyghur minority]] in Xinjiang. He said the [[American decline|United States has "lost]]" to China in the "[[Second Cold War#Usage in the context of China–United States tensions|battle]] for the 21st century". According to Maher, [[China's peaceful rise|China is dominating the world]] while the United States is wasting time in a "never-ending [[wokeism|woke]] competition".<ref>{{cite news |first=Jordan|last=Williams|date=March 13, 2021 |title=Maher: US 'lost' to China, too focused on 'woke competition' and 'lizard people{{'-}} |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/543079-maher-us-lost-to-china-too-focused-on-woke-competition-and-lizard-people}}</ref>

In September 2025, Maher criticized the lack of news coverage on the [[persecution of Christians]] in [[Nigeria]], stating that they are being "systematically killed".<ref name="Goins-Phillips2025">{{cite web |last1=Goins-Phillips |first1=Tré |title=Bill Maher Condemns Media Silence on Christian Genocide in Nigeria: 'Systematic Killing' |url=https://cbn.com/news/world/bill-maher-condemns-media-silence-christian-genocide-nigeria-systematic-killing |publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]] |access-date=10 October 2025 |language=en |date=4 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="King2025">{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Jordan |title=Bill Maher Says Christians Being 'Systematically Killed' In Nigeria |url=https://www.newsweek.com/bill-maher-christians-nigeria-10797095 |publisher=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=10 October 2025 |language=en |date=29 September 2025}}</ref> He rhetorically questioned: "Where are the kids protesting this?"<ref name="King2025"/><ref name="Quiñones2025">{{cite web |last1=Quiñones |first1=Kate |title=Top U.S. political satirist draws attention to plight of Christians in Nigeria |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/266839/top-us-political-satirist-draws-attention-to-plight-of-christians-in-nigeria |publisher=[[Catholic News Agency]] |access-date=10 October 2025 |language=en |date=30 September 2025}}</ref>

=== Race ===
In June 2017, Maher came under criticism for saying in an off-the-cuff joke "I'm a [[house nigger]]" in response to guest Senator [[Ben Sasse]] offering Maher to work on the fields in his home state on ''Real Time''. This led to calls being made by people to HBO to fire him.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pengelly |first=Martin |date=June 3, 2017 |title=Bill Maher sorry for use of N-word as HBO calls it 'inexcusable and tasteless{{'-}} |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jun/03/bill-maher-hbo-real-time-ben-sasse |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Following the episode, HBO sent a statement to media outlets, calling Maher's remarks "inexcusable and tasteless", and said the cable network would remove that segment from future airings of the show.<ref name="maherni">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Kristine |date=June 3, 2017 |title=Bill Maher says he is 'very sorry' for using a racial slur on his HBO show |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/06/03/bill-maher-faces-calls-for-firing-after-using-the-n-word-on-his-hbo-show/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Maher also issued a statement apologizing for the remarks, saying in part, "I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive, and I regret saying it and am very sorry."<ref name="maherni" /> Maher apologized on his show and had a discussion with [[Michael Eric Dyson]], [[Ice Cube]], and [[Symone Sanders]] about the controversy.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 10, 2017 |title=Bill Maher Apologizes Again For N-Word |url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/bill-maher-apology-n-word-hbo-real-time-1202110616/ |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Greg|last=Evans}}</ref>

In 2021, Maher opposed the NFL's decision to play the "[[Lift Every Voice and Sing|Black national anthem]]" before games, considering it a form of segregation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Castronuovo |first1=Celine |date=September 11, 2021 |title=Bill Maher criticizes NFL for playing Black national anthem |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/571816-bill-maher-criticizes-nfl-for-playing-black-national-anthem/ |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bachmann |first1=Brett |date=September 25, 2021 |title=Bill Maher hits back at Whoopi Goldberg in ongoing feud over 'Black national anthem{{'-}} |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/09/25/bill-maher-hits-back-at-whoopi-goldberg-in-ongoing-feud-over-black-national-anthem/ |newspaper=[[Salon.com|Salon]]}}</ref> Instead, he argued for one national anthem and rejected separate ceremonies and dorms based on race, which drew some criticism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brownlee |first1=Dana |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Here's Why Bill Maher Is Dead Wrong On The Black National Anthem |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danabrownlee/2021/10/01/heres-why-bill-maher-is-dead-wrong-on-the-black-national-anthem/?sh=7bd1d5f0288f |newspaper=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> In 2022, Maher criticized the Democratic Party for "checking boxes" in regard to candidates of different identity groups, including race. He stated that Democrats prioritize diversity over merit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brownlee |first=Dana |title=Bill Maher's 'But What About Merit' Commentary Exposes The Racist Conditioning Of Many 'Good White People'" |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danabrownlee/2022/11/15/bill-mahers-but-what-about-merit-commentary-highlights-the-racist-conditioning-of-many-good-white-people/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Maher has also spoken out against [[critical race theory]] but supports teaching the [[history of racism]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Bill Maher Trashes Critical Race Theory, Says Racism Not Essence of America |url=https://www.newsweek.com/bill-maher-critical-race-theory-chris-cuomo-virginia-1650617 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=[[Newsweek]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Video: Bill Maher sounds off on critical race theory to Chris Cuomo |website=[[CNN Business]] |date=November 21, 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2021/11/21/bill-maher-critical-race-theory-cuomo-cpt-sot-vpx.cnn |language=en |access-date=December 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Bill Maher rails against critical race theory, argues it's just 'virtue-signaling{{'-}} |url=https://nypost.com/2021/11/18/bill-maher-rails-against-critical-race-theory-argues-its-just-virtue-signaling/ |access-date=December 9, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
In November 2015, Maher expressed opposition to the United States accepting [[Refugees of the Syrian civil war|Syrian refugees]]. Maher argued that they have different values which are at odds with American values due to some refugees may be coming from places which are governed by [[Sharia law]] or want to be. Maher cited cases in the UK where Muslim immigrants had carried out [[female genital mutilation]] and [[honor killing]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=November 21, 2015 |title=Bill Maher Criticizes Syrian Refugees: 'Their Values Are At Odds with Our Values{{'-}} |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/11/20/bill-maher-criticizes-syrian-refugees-their-values-are-at-odds-with-our-values |access-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nakamura |first=Reid |date=2015-11-21 |title=Bill Maher Criticizes Syrian Refugees: 'Those Values Are Not Our Values' (Video) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-maher-criticizes-syrian-refugees-those-values-are-not-our-values-video/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Kellan|last=Howell|title=Bill Maher blasts liberals for defending Islam: Muslims sharing Western values is 'bull****{{'-}} |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/21/bill-maher-blasts-liberals-defending-islam-muslims/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=[[The Washington Times]]}}</ref> In 2021, after the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan]], Maher urged America to take in [[Afghan refugees in the United States|Afghan refugees]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lonas |first=Lexi |date=August 28, 2021 |title=Maher: Afghanistan shows 'woke' Americans 'what real oppression looks like{{'-}} |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/569833-maher-afghanistan-shows-woke-americans-what-real-oppression-looks-like/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> Maher has criticized Donald Trump's opposition to immigration, including his proposed [[Mexico–United States border wall|border wall]], and accused him of hypocrisy, having himself married two immigrants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=August 22, 2015 |title=Bill Maher Slams Anti-Immigrant Donald Trump For Having Immigrant Wives |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/22/bill-maher-slams-anti-immigrant-donald-trump-for-having-immigrant-wives |access-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2019 |title=Bill Maher: America Does Need To Build A Wall |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-maher-donald-trump-wall_n_5c557001e4b09293b2047850 |access-date=October 30, 2022|website=[[HuffPost]] |language=en}}</ref> Maher has also accused Republicans of hypocrisy for opposing immigration and praising their immigrant parents, saying "You can't spend the first half of a debate bitching about how immigrants are ruining the country and the second half on the uplifting stories of your immigrant parents."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Lily|last=Karlin|date=March 5, 2016 |title=Bill Maher Calls Out Republican Presidential Candidates' Hypocrisy On 'Real Time{{'-}} |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bill-maher-republican-hypocrisy_n_56db22ebe4b0ffe6f8e9a1c9 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> Maher has criticized Democrats' approach to immigration and has praised Canada's system, saying "Canada is much more to the right on immigration. You have to have a skill. That's mostly what it's based on. Ours is mostly based on family."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wulfsohn |first=Joseph |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Bill Maher: When is Biden going to understand that immigration is a big deal? |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-biden-immigration-midterms-jones |access-date=November 5, 2022 |publisher=Fox News }}</ref>

=== Gun rights and hunting rights ===
Maher endorsed [[2014 Maine Question 1|a 2014 Maine referendum]] to ban the use of bait, traps and dogs to [[Bear hunting|hunt bears]] in Maine. He specifically criticized the use of bait, referring to its use as "nothing but an execution".<ref>{{cite news |date=September 15, 2014 |title=Famous talk show host Bill Maher endorses referendum to ban bear baiting |work=[[Bangor Daily News]] |url=http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/09/15/famous-talk-show-host-bill-maher-endorses-referendum-to-ban-bear-baiting |access-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-date=September 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916041152/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/09/15/famous-talk-show-host-bill-maher-endorses-referendum-to-ban-bear-baiting/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Maher is a gun owner, and explained in his February 12, 2013, appearance on the late-night TV talk show ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'' that he owns guns for personal home protection. However, he does not identify himself as a "proud" gun owner, commenting that being a proud gun owner is akin to "saying I'm a 'proud remote control owner{{' "}}. Maher has stated that statistics showing that gun owners are more likely to harm a member of their household are caused by irresponsible gun owners, and believes that tragedies such as [[school shooting]]s will not lead to a fundamental change in gun laws because both [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] favor guns.<ref>{{cite episode |title=The Walls Have Ears, and Other Side Effects of This Medication |series=[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]] |season=3 |number=45 |air-date=February 12, 2013 |network=[[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]]}}</ref> Maher has also questioned the need to own large arsenals of guns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halem |first=Dann |date=August 1, 2001 |title=Is Bill Maher a libertarian? |url=https://www.salon.com/2001/08/01/maher_4/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref> He believes the [[Second Amendment]] is "[[bullshit]]"<ref>{{cite news |last=Cirilli |first=Kevin |date=April 13, 2013 |title=Maher slams 2nd Amendment |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/bill-maher-2nd-amendment-090023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher says '2nd Amendment is Bullshit{{'-}} |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA6DeuhpGn0 |via=YouTube| date=April 15, 2013 }}</ref> and said that bipartisan background check legislation proposed by [[Pat Toomey]] and [[Joe Manchin]] was "so marginal". In 2022, Maher blamed mass shooting in part due to Hollywood romanticization of gun violence in movies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2022 |title=Bill Maher Blames Hollywood's Romanticization of Gun Violence for Mass Shooting |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-maher-hollywood-romanticizes-gun-violence/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> However Maher has said that despite him not liking guns he is glad that they exist saying it "levels the playing field".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher Talks Of Trump, Guns And Atheists In A Lively 'Real Time' Exchange |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bill-maher-talks-trump-guns-034606933.html |access-date=April 13, 2023 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |date=April 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Views==
===Religion===
{{See also|Religulous}}
[[File:Protests against Bill Maher TIFF08.jpg|thumb|Protesters outside [[Toronto Metropolitan University|Ryerson University]] awaiting the arrival of Bill Maher on September 6, 2008]]
Maher is highly [[Criticism of religion|critical of religion]] and views it as highly destructive. He has been described, or self-identified, variously as an [[Agnosticism|agnostic]], [[Atheism|atheist]], and [[Apatheism|apatheist]], while objecting to having his views defined by a single label. In his 2008 feature film ''[[Religulous]]'', he refers to himself as agnostic.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=2008-09-30 |title=Believers, Skeptics and a Pool of Sitting Ducks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/movies/01reli.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He has rejected being grouped with explicit atheists, saying in 2002, "I'm not an atheist. There's a really big difference between an atheist and someone who just doesn't believe in religion. Religion to me is a bureaucracy between man and God that I don't need, but I'm not an atheist, no."<ref name="AVClub">{{Cite web |title=Is There A God? {{!}} {{!}} A.V. Club |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/is-there-a-god,1413/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301211149/http://www.avclub.com/articles/is-there-a-god,1413/ |archive-date=2009-03-01 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.avclub.com}}</ref>

Maher has occasionally referred to himself as an apatheist, saying in 2011 "I don't know what happens when you die, and I don't care." When discussing his apatheism and his views on the existence of God, he said on a scale from 1 to 7 (7 being "absolutely certain there is no god"), he was only at 6.9, like [[Richard Dawkins]], "because we just don't know ... but we just don't think about it." He added, "There's atheist and there's agnostic, and I'm okay with us not splitting the difference on those; if you are just not a super-religious person, you are on my team."<ref name=CNN>[http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/maher-on-religion "Bill Maher explains his 'apatheism,' apathetic atheism"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715010724/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/maher-on-religion/ |date=July 15, 2011 }}. [[CNN]] Belief Blogs, July 12, 2011.</ref> Several months later on a 2012 episode of his HBO show, Maher declared that "idiots must stop claiming that atheism is a religion ... believe it or not, I don't really enjoy talking about religion all the time. In fact, not only is atheism not a religion, it's not even my hobby, and that's the best thing about being an atheist. It requires so little of your time."<ref>[http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/236-episode/article/new-rules.html HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher; Episode 236 – New Rules]; Home Box Office; February 3, 2012</ref> He has reiterated his stance during other interviews, rejecting both the certitude of the existence, as well as the certitude of nonexistence of deities, concluding, "I'm saying that doubt is the only appropriate response for human beings."<ref>[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article6010432.ece "Bill Maher: The God Botherer"]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' April 1, 2009.</ref>

While critical of all [[Organized religion|organized religions]], saying "they're all stupid and dangerous", Maher says all religions are not alike, and has drawn comparisons and contrasts between them.<ref name="RCP">{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher On Islam: "All Religions Are Not Alike" {{!}} RealClearPolitics |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/09/23/bill_maher_on_islam_all_religions_are_not_alike.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.realclearpolitics.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher on Paris massacre: 'There are no great religions -- they're all stupid and dangerous' - Raw Story |url=https://www.rawstory.com/2015/01/bill-maher-on-paris-massacre-there-are-no-great-religions-theyre-all-stupid-and-dangerous/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.rawstory.com |language=en}}</ref> He has said, "By any standard, [[Mormonism]] is more ridiculous than any other religion."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/700213557/Group-lists-Top-Ten-Anti-Mormon-Statements-of-2011.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313151045/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/print/700213557/Group-lists-Top-Ten-Anti-Mormon-Statements-of-2011.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 13, 2012|title=Group lists Top Ten Anti-Mormon Statements of 2011|date=January 8, 2012|work=[[Deseret News]]|first=Joseph|last=Walker}}</ref> He has referred to tenets of Judaism as "insane" and "funny", and has said that [[Buddhism]] includes some crazy things like "[[Rebirth (Buddhism)|reincarnation]]".<ref name="Jewish Journal">{{Cite web |last=Berrin |first=Danielle |date=2012-11-29 |title=Bill Maher on Israel, uncut and uncensored |url=https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/hollywood/110764/bill-maher-on-israel-uncut-and-uncensored/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> He has described Christianity and Islam as more "warlike", and has asserted that, like historic Christianity, present-day Islam needs to undergo its own [[reformation]] and [[Age of Enlightenment|enlightenment]].<ref name="VF1">{{cite news|last1=Kohn|first1=Sally|title=Petition All You Want, Bill Maher Will Speak at Berkeley|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/politics/2014/12/bill-maher-interview-islam-berkeley|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=December 2014|access-date=April 13, 2015}}</ref>

In defense of his criticism of [[Islam]], [[Sharia law]] and [[Muslim culture]], Maher says he "believes in the values that Western people believe in which a lot of the Muslim world does not. Like [[separation of church and state]]. Like [[Gender equality|equality of the sexes]]. Like [[Minority rights|respect for minorities]], [[Election|free elections]], [[Freedom of speech|free speech]], [[Freedom of association|freedom to gather]]. These things are not just different from cultures that don't have them.... It's better ... I would like to keep those values here."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-stands-by-mohammed-remarks-i-dont-need-to-apologize-for-being-a-proud-westerner|title=Bill Maher Stands By Mohammed Remarks: 'I Don't Need To Apologize For Being A Proud Westerner{{'-}}|publisher=Mediaite|date=November 1, 2010|access-date=March 13, 2011}}</ref> In 2017, Maher agreed with the author [[Sam Harris]] that "the left has allied itself with Islamists", and that the liberals had failed to stand up to Islamic extremism.<ref name="Hill-Sam">{{cite web | url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/317909-author-sam-harris-to-bill-maher-the-left-has-allied-itself-with-islamists/ | title=Author Sam Harris to Bill Maher 'The left has allied itself with Islamists{{'-}} |newspaper=The Hill |date=February 4, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref>

Citing studies and poll results by [[Pew Research Center]], the [[World Economic Forum]] and others, Maher says the [[Human rights in the Middle East|human rights violations]] and "illiberal ideas" found in Islam are not extremist views held by a small minority but are supported by a majority of citizens in Muslim countries. Maher has criticized liberals as hypocritical for defending these core liberal values and ideals only at home, while not condemning the oppression of these values and groups in Muslim culture.<ref name="VF1"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sasson|first1=Eric|title=Yes, Bill Maher Is Boorish. But We Shouldn't Be Afraid to Criticize Islam|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/119762/bill-maher-ben-affleck-islam-debate-we-can-do-better|magazine=The New Republic|date=October 9, 2014 }}</ref> Regarding the more recent{{As of?|date=June 2025}} publicity generated by his stance in the ongoing debate, Maher says he thinks people are finally paying closer attention to a conversation that they need to have. "I'm just shining a light on the reality of the situation. I don't even understand why this is so controversial."<ref name="VF1"/>

Maher received the 2009 [[Richard Dawkins Award]] from [[Atheist Alliance International]].<ref>Timonen, Josh (September 28, 2009). [http://old.richarddawkins.net/articles/4388 "A note about the 'Richard Dawkins Award' being presented to Bill Maher this weekend"]. [[The Richard Dawkins Foundation]]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623001937/http://old.richarddawkins.net/articles/4388 |date=June 23, 2013 }}</ref> He was an advisory board member of author [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]]'s [[Project Reason]], a foundation that promotes scientific knowledge and secular values within society.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2014 |title=Project Reason Advisory Board {{!}} Project Reason |url=http://www.project-reason.org/about/advisory_board |access-date=March 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215144550/http://www.project-reason.org/about/advisory_board |archive-date=December 15, 2014 }}</ref> In 2023, while still being critical of religion, Maher discussed some of his spiritual queries and interests with long-time friend and new age guru, [[Deepak Chopra]].<ref name=MJ2023>{{cite news | url=https://www.mensjournal.com/podcasts/club-random/deepak-chopra | title=Bill Maher and Deepak Chopra discuss identity, death, faith, spiritual journeys, and more |newspaper=mensjournal |date=May 12, 2023 |access-date= May 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Maher and Deepak Chopra |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deepak-chopra-club-random-with-bill-maher/id1613459129?i=1000603845986 |work=Apple |date=March 12, 2023 |access-date= May 25, 2024}}</ref>

===Health care===
Maher supports the establishment of a [[Medicare-for-All]] [[Universal health care|universal]] [[Single-payer healthcare|single-payer health care system]], and has consistently<ref>{{Citation|title=Real Time with Bill Maher: The Trouble With Obamacare (HBO)| date=February 17, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g6FZ2trrrQ| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/_g6FZ2trrrQ| archive-date=October 30, 2021|language=en|access-date=February 24, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> agreed with the proposal since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLAsvHlNPyg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/YLAsvHlNPyg| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Real Time With Bill Maher: Overtime - Episode #218| date=June 30, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Maher has stated that the [[American Medical Association]] is a powerful lobbying group and was one of the primary reasons why the United States had failed to enact [[Health care reform in the United States|health care reform]] in the decades prior to the passage of the [[Affordable Care Act]].<ref name="youtube.com">(2009-06-15). {{YouTube|wJ2L1aQy-io|Keith Olbermann: Bill Maher Talks About Taking On Obama}}.{{Dead link|date=July 2011}} Countdown With Keith Olbermann. Retrieved June 30, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-16 |title='Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Monday, June 15 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31387052 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> On the topic of getting the Affordable Care Act passed, in 2009 Maher stated that Obama should forget about trying to get 60 votes for it because "he only needs 51": "Forget getting the sixty votes or sixty percent—sixty percent of people don't believe in [[evolution]] in this country—he just needs to drag them to it, like I said, they're stupid; get health care done, with or without them."<ref>{{cite AV media|url=http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/clips/bill-maher-pt2-082409/1149697|title=Bill Maher Part 2|work=The Tonight Show|access-date=October 18, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830072642/http://www.tonightshowwithconanobrien.com/video/clips/bill-maher-pt2-082409/1149697|archive-date=August 30, 2009}}</ref> On [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]] in a televised debate with [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], Maher said that "if Jesus was in charge of the country we'd probably have health care for everybody."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-on-the-factor-part-ii-the-two-bills-clash-on-religion|title=Bill Maher On ''The Factor'', Part II: The Two Bills Clash On Religion|date=September 30, 2010|last=Davis|first=Glenn|publisher=Mediaite|access-date=February 14, 2013}}</ref>

Maher has expressed the view that a lot of illness was the result of poor diet and lack of exercise, and that medicine was often not the most appropriate way of addressing illness. In an episode of his show about the 2008 presidential candidates' health plans, Maher stated that poor nutrition was a primary cause of illness, and that "the answer isn't another pill."<ref>{{Cite web |last=HBO |title=HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher: New Rules: September 28, 2007 |url=http://hbo.com/billmaher/new_rules/20070928.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015061830/http://hbo.com/billmaher/new_rules/20070928.html |archive-date=2007-10-15 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=hbo.com}}</ref> He also has said: "If you believe you need to take all the pills the pharmaceutical industry says you do, then you're already on drugs!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winhs.org|publisher=WINHS, World Institute of Natural Health Sciences|title=Home|access-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref> He has expressed his distaste for the [[Pharmaceutical drug|pharmaceutical]] and [[Healthcare industry|health care industries]] in general, arguing that they made their money out of treating people who are made sick by consuming [[junk food|unhealthy food]] that corporations push on the public. Maher maintains that mass consumption of [[high-fructose corn syrup]] is a contributor to the rise in frequency of [[obesity in the United States]].<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0409/13/lkl.00.html Larry King Live – Interview With Bill Maher]; CNN; September 13, 2004</ref>

In a discussion with [[Michael Moore]] about the film ''[[Sicko]]'', Maher said, "The human body is pretty amazing; it doesn't get sick, usually, for no reason. I mean, there's some genetic stuff that can get to you, but, basically, people are sick in this country because they're poisoned. The environment is a poisoning factor, but also, we gotta say, they poison themselves. They eat shit. People eat shit, and that's, to my way of thinking, about 90 percent of why people are sick, is because they eat shit."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-05-30 |title=Maher and Moore Chew (Out) The Fat |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maher-and-moore-chew-out-_b_50004 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref> [[Tara Parker-Pope]] and former Senator (R-TN) [[Bill Frist]], a physician, have called Maher's criticism of the [[2009 flu pandemic vaccine|H1N1 flu vaccinations]] unscientific.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/bill-maher-vs-the-flu-vaccine|work=The New York Times|first=Tara|last=Parker-Pope|date=October 13, 2009|title=Bill Maher vs. the Flu Vaccine|access-date=April 1, 2010}}</ref> Infectious diseases expert [[Paul Offit]] wrote that misinformation about vaccines from celebrities like Maher has put children at unnecessary risk.<ref>Offit says that celebrities like Maher are seen as "less credible" and would still be considered just "great entertainment" if they weren't joined by the former Director of the [[National Institutes of Health]], [[Bernadine Healy]] and influential pediatrician, [[Robert Sears (physician)|Robert Sears]]. {{cite book|last=Offit|first=Paul|year=2011|title=Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens us all |publisher=Basic Books|author-link=Paul Offit|pages=168–171}}</ref>

Surgical [[Oncologist]] [[David Gorski]] criticized Maher's claims about vaccines several times on [[ScienceBlogs]], and deemed it inappropriate that Maher received the Richard Dawkins Award.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gorski|first=David|title=Bill Maher gets the Richard Dawkins Award? That's like Jenny McCarthy getting an award for public health|url=http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/07/23/bill-maher-gets-the-richard-dawkins-awar|publisher=[[ScienceBlogs]]|access-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> Skeptics, including [[Magic (illusion)|magician]] and popular science writer [[Martin Gardner]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Martin|title=Bill Maher: Crank and Comic|date=November 2009|url=http://www.csicop.org/si/show/bill_maher_crank_and_comic|publisher=[[CSICOP]]|access-date=March 20, 2013}}</ref> [[neurologist]] [[Steven Novella]],<ref>{{cite AV media|last=Novella|first=Steven|author-link=Steven Novella|title=Podcast 218 |date=September 23, 2009|url=http://www.theskepticsguide.org/archive/podcastinfo.aspx?mid=1&pid=218|publisher=[[The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe]]|access-date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210011702/http://theskepticsguide.org/archive/podcastinfo.aspx?mid=1&pid=218|archive-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> and magician [[Jamy Ian Swiss]] have also strongly rebuked Maher, characterizing him as anti-science, uninformed and potentially endangering the health of fans who take his "non-medical" advice.<ref>{{cite web|last=Swiss|first=Jamy Ian|title=Overlapping Magisteria|date=August 10, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIiznLE5Xno| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/DIiznLE5Xno| archive-date=October 30, 2021|publisher=[[JREF]]|access-date=March 20, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Maher responded to the criticism, saying, "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."<ref>Slotek, Jim (October 28, 2009). [http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/tv/2009/10/28/11548266-sun.html "Needling Bill Maher"]. ''[[Winnipeg Sun]]''.</ref> In 2019, Gorski again criticized Maher for his [[HBO]] interview with the doctor [[Jay Gordon (physician)|Jay Gordon]] and Maher's [[Vaccine hesitancy|claims about vaccines]] (in particular, the [[influenza vaccine]]), including the speculation about a link between [[vaccines and autism]], which is debunked according to consensus science.<ref name="Gorski2019">{{cite web |last1=Gorski |first1=David |date=November 4, 2019 |title=Shame on HBO! Bill Maher interviews Dr. Jay Gordon and the antivaccine misinformation flows. |url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/shame-on-hbo-bill-maher-interviews-dr-jay-gordon-and-the-antivaccine-misinformation-flows/ |access-date=November 7, 2019 |publisher=Science Based Medicine}}</ref> In January 2021, Maher promoted the [[COVID-19 lab leak theory]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wulfsohn |first=Joseph |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Bill Maher says COVID 'dissenters' are 'looking pretty good' following lab leak theory developments |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-says-covid-dissenters-looking-pretty-good-following-lab-leak-theory-developments |access-date=March 18, 2023 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> On April 16, 2021, Maher called [[media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic]] "panic porn" and added that "When all of our sources for medical information have an agenda to spin us, yeah, you wind up with a badly misinformed population, including on the left."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wulfsohn |first=Joseph |date=April 17, 2021 |title=Maher praises DeSantis, knocks Cuomo, 'liberal media' for getting COVID wrong: 'Those are just facts{{'-}} |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/maher-praises-desantis-knocks-liberal-media-for-getting-covid-wrong |access-date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref>

===Cannabis legalization===
Maher, who has a California medical marijuana card, openly and publicly uses cannabis, and has been a visible supporter of cannabis law reform. Maher is a member of the advisory boards for both the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws|NORML]] and [[Marijuana Policy Project]], organizations that support regulated [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalization of cannabis]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He sold cannabis while in college at Cornell and credits it for making his college and the beginning of his career as a comic possible.<ref>{{cite news
|title=Bill Maher's Guide to Selling Weed
|first=Steve
|last=Bloom
|date=November 8, 2014
|newspaper=celebstoner.com
|url=https://www.celebstoner.com/news/celebstoner-news/2014/11/08/bill-mahers-guide-to-selling-weed/}}</ref> In 2015, Maher called on then President [[Barack Obama]] to pardon people incarcerated for marijuana offenses and later praised President [[Joe Biden]] for pardoning citizens convicted of marijuana offenses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Bill Maher High-Fives Biden for Marijuana Pardons: Pot-Smokers Do Vote |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-maher-praises-biden-marijuana-pardons/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher High-Fives Biden for Marijuana Pardons: Pot-Smokers 'Do Show Up to Vote{{'-}} |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/bill-maher-high-fives-biden-170111106.html |access-date=October 30, 2022 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=October 8, 2022}}</ref> He has been called "one of the brightest torches for sensible marijuana policy" and "a contemporary cannabis statesman".<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 2014 |title=Weed Time With Bill Maher |work=HuffPost |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/the-/weed-time-with-bill-maher_b_5128776.html |access-date=July 1, 2015}}</ref>

=== Conspiracy theories ===
Maher has been a critic of [[9/11 conspiracy theories]]. On October 19, 2007, Maher confronted several [[9/11 Truth movement|9/11 truthers]] and had them ejected from his show audience after they interrupted the live show numerous times by calling out from the audience. The incident drew significant media attention and praise from Fox News talk show host and frequent critic [[John Gibson (political commentator)|John Gibson]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 22, 2007 |title=Hat's Off to Bill Maher |publisher=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/hats-off-to-bill-maher |url-status=live |access-date=January 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225170927/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C304240%2C00.html |archive-date=December 25, 2007}}</ref> Maher has spoken out against [[QAnon]] and the conspiracy theories they have promoted.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vaillancourt |first=William |date=June 12, 2021 |title=Bill Maher Has a Message for QAnon on Behalf of Cicadas Everywhere |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-has-a-message-for-qanon-on-behalf-of-cicadas-everywhere |access-date=October 29, 2022}}</ref> Maher has criticized the decision to ban conspiracy theorist [[Alex Jones]] from Twitter saying "I don't like Alex Jones, but Alex Jones gets to speak. Everybody gets to speak."''<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2018 |title={{-'}}Alex Jones Gets to Speak': Bill Maher Defends Conspiracy Theorist Ousted From Social Media |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-maher-defends-alex-jones-right-to-free-speech/ |access-date=October 29, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomsen |first=Jacqueline |date=August 18, 2018 |title=Bill Maher criticizes social media bans: 'Alex Jones gets to speak{{'-}} |url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/technology/402450-bill-maher-on-social-media-bans-alex-jones-gets-to-speak/ |access-date=October 30, 2022 |website=The Hill}}</ref>''

=== Gender and sexuality ===
Maher has been critical of the [[Me Too movement|#MeToo movement]], describing it in February 2018 as [[McCarthyite|McCarthyism]].<ref name=":3">{{cite news |last1=Garber |first1=Megan |date=February 11, 2018 |title=The Selective Empathy of #MeToo Backlash |work=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/02/the-selective-empathy-of-metoo-backlash/553022/ |access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Berman |first1=Judy |date=October 1, 2018 |title=The Men of Late Night Take on Brett Kavanaugh |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/5411956/brett-kavanaugh-late-night-snl/ |access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref> He has supported [[Chris Matthews]] against allegations of [[sexual harassment]] in 2020.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Martin |date=March 7, 2020 |title=Bill Maher defends Chris Matthews, mocks harassment claim |work=The Hill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/486432-bill-maher-defends-chris-matthews-mocks-harassment-claim |access-date=March 11, 2020}}</ref> He has also downplayed the sexual harassment allegations against former senator [[Al Franken]] including rejecting the idea that Franken was a "sexual predator" and has suggested that the allegations against Franken were political.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Bill Maher Tries to Rehab Al Franken's Image Before the Election |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-tries-to-rehab-al-frankens-image-before-election |access-date=April 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Maher Calls for Al Franken's Return and Blasts His Accusers on 'Real Time{{'-}} |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bill-maher-calls-al-franken-033040528.html |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |date=September 8, 2018}}</ref>

Maher supports [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loeb |first=Steven |title=BILL MAHER: Obama Needs To Force Gay Marriage On America Like Republicans Would |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-maher-gay-marriage-video-2011-4 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> He has referred to arguments against same-sex marriage as "bankrupt".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cirilli |first=Kevin |date=April 3, 2013 |title=Maher jokes about the 'gay agenda{{'-}} |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/04/bill-maher-gay-marriage-089597 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Politico}}</ref> In May 2022, on why more people are identifying as [[LGBT]], Maher said "Yes, part of the rise in LGBT numbers is from people feeling free enough to tell it to a pollster, and that's all good, but some of it is [because] it's trendy".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vakil |first=Caroline |date=May 21, 2022 |title=Maher says increase in those identifying as LGBT partly attributed to being 'trendy{{'-}} |url=https://thehill.com/news/media/3496700-maher-says-increase-in-those-identifying-as-lgbt-partly-attributed-to-being-trendy/ |access-date=May 22, 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> Maher also referred to [[puberty blocker]]s and other [[transgender health care]] for [[Transgender youth|trans youth]] as "literally experimenting on children".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=May 21, 2022 |title=Bill Maher says US is 'experimenting on kids' and 'everyone will be gay by 2054{{'-}} |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/21/bill-maher-real-time-trans-kids-lgbtq-pride/ |access-date=May 22, 2022 |website=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref> [[GLAAD]] criticized Maher for these statements and referred to him as [[Transphobia|transphobic]], citing articles from organizations such as the [[World Health Organization]] and the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] that state gender-affirming care is medically appropriate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2022 |title=GLAAD Responds to 'Real Time with Bill Maher' Segment 'Along for the Pride{{'-}} |url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-responds-%E2%80%98real-time-bill-maher%E2%80%99-segment-along-pride-1 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=GLAAD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Medical Association Statements Supporting Trans Youth Healthcare and Against Discriminatory Bills |url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/medical-association-statements-supporting-trans-youth-healthcare-and-against-discriminatory |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=GLAAD |language=en}}</ref> He has claimed that Democrats will "lose every election" without changing their positions on trans issues and banning [[Transgender health care|gender-affirming care]] for minors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suter |first=Tara |date=February 25, 2025 |title=Maher: Democrats will 'lose every election' without shift on trans issues |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5163583-maher-criticizes-democrats-on-transgender-issues/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320041541/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5163583-maher-criticizes-democrats-on-transgender-issues/ |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 30, 2025 |work=The Hill |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

Maher has also criticized the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party's]] approach to sex education on multiple occasions.<ref name="Wulfsohn">{{Cite web |last=Wulfsohn |first=Joseph |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Maher rejects liberal 'Don't Say Gay' uproar over Florida bill: Maybe young kids shouldn't think about sex |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-maher-dont-say-gay-florida-education-bill |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2022, Maher rebuked liberals for their opposition to the [[Florida Parental Rights in Education Act]] and defended Republicans for pushing the bill.<ref name="Wulfsohn"/>

=== 2023 Writers Guild of America strike ===
Maher criticized the [[2023 Writers Guild of America strike]] on his ''Club Random'' podcast. Speaking to comedian [[Jim Gaffigan]] in September 2023, has stated, "they kind of believe that you're owed a living as a writer, and you're not". He went on to say that "They're asking for a lot of things that are, like, kooky."<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2023 |title=Bill Maher Says 'People Are Being Hurt' by WGA Strike: No One Is 'Owed a Living as a Writer{{'-}} |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bill-maher-says-people-being-122326733.html |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> In an interview with [[TMZ]], Maher stated he supported the strike and added that the writers have "legitimate gripes" with the studios. However, Maher clarified his problems with the strike noting "there are some things that [the writers] are demanding I don't agree with." In particular, Maher criticized the WGA proposal of having a mandate to have a particular set number of writers on each show. He stated, "They want to micromanage the creative process in a way that I think is antithetical to anybody that is an artist. They want to tell people how many people, what kind of people you can have working on your show, writing on your show". Maher stated his wish to have Governor [[Gavin Newsom]] help end the strike.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLjgMusZQzM|title= Bill Maher Says Gov. Gavin Newsom Needs to Help End Writers' Strike - TMZ|website= TMZ|date= September 7, 2023|accessdate= September 14, 2023}}</ref>

On September 13, 2023, Maher released a statement on Twitter announcing his plans to restart a version of his HBO show. He wrote in part:
{{blockquote|"''Real Time'' is coming back...It has been five months, and it is time to bring people back to work. The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems and concerns...[I] will honor the spirit of the strike by not doing a monologue, desk piece, New Rules or editorial".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2023-09-14 |title=Bill Maher Plans to Start HBO's 'Real Time' Without Writers |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/bill-maher-hbo-real-time-strike-wga-1235723046/ |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Bill Maher Is Bringing 'Real Time' Back Without Writers |url=https://uproxx.com/tv/bill-maher-real-time-returning-without-writers/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref>|Bill Maher}}

Maher's announcement, as well as the continuation of ''[[The Drew Barrymore Show]]'' and ''[[The View (talk show)|The View]]'', led to protests. The [[Writers Guild of America]] released a statement describing Maher's decision as "disappointing", adding, "It is difficult to imagine how ''Real Time with Bill Maher'' can go forward without a violation of WGA strike rules taking place. WGA will be picketing this show."<ref>{{cite web|first=Zack|last=Sharf|url= https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/bill-maher-slammed-real-time-strikes-keith-olbermann-1235723534/|title=Keith Olbermann Says 'F— You' to Bill Maher for Bringing Back 'Scab Edition' of 'Real Time' Amid Strikes: 'You Selfish and Unfunny Scumbag{{'-}}|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= September 14, 2023|accessdate= September 14, 2023}}</ref> Early the next week, Maher said he would wait a few days to see what the next round of negotiations might produce.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2023 |title=Bill Maher postpones return, the latest TV host to balk at working during writers strike |url=https://news.yahoo.com/bill-maher-postpones-return-latest-210832403.html |access-date=September 19, 2023 |agency=[[Associated Press]]|via=[[Yahoo! News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Bill Maher}}
[[File:BillMaherStarSept10.jpg|thumb|right|Maher next to his star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2010]]
Maher has received 41 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations winning for Outstanding Informational Series or Special for ''[[Vice (TV series)|Vice]]'' in 2015. He also received two [[Grammy Award]] nominations and various [[Producers Guild of America Award]] and [[Writers Guild of America Award]] nominations. In 2003 he was nominated at the [[57th Tony Awards]] for the [[Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event]] for ''Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/article/bill-mahers-tony-nommed-victory-begins-at-home-returns-to-nyc-july-17-19-hbo-will-film-com-113856|title= Bill Maher's Tony-Nommed Victory Begins at Home Returns to NYC July 17–19; HBO Will Film|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 5, 2024}}</ref> In 2016 ''[[Vice (TV series)|Vice]]'' was nominated for the [[Peabody Award]] their segment on [[Student debt]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/student-debt/|title= Student Debt - The Peabody Awards|website= Peabody Awards|accessdate= May 5, 2024}}</ref> Maher was honored by ''[[High Times]]'' as "Top Pot Comic in 2006" and ''Real Time'' won a [[Stony Award]] in 2006 for "Best Cable News Show". ''High Times'' later designated him as "Stoner of the Year".<ref>{{cite news
|title=Bill Maher Finishes Season on High Note
|first=Steve
|last=Bloom
|date=November 8, 2014
|newspaper=celebstoner.com
|url=https://www.celebstoner.com/news/celebstoner-news/2014/11/22/bill-maher-finishes-season-on-high-note/}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Maher has never married.<ref>[http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/clips-from-last-night-bill-maher-on-why-hes-never-been-married-and-american-innovation "Clips From Last Night: Bill Maher on why he's never been married... and American innovation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725214908/http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/12/clips-from-last-night-bill-maher-on-why-hes-never-been-married-and-american-innovation |date=July 25, 2021 }}. ''[[Piers Morgan Live]]''. [[CNN]]. July 12, 2011.</ref><ref name="DailyNews">{{Cite web |date=2009-10-26 |title=Side Dish: Bill Maher is so in love, he may even break his biggest rule – get married! |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2009/10/26/side-dish-bill-maher-is-so-in-love-he-may-even-break-his-biggest-rule-get-married/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billmaher.com|title=About: Bill Maher biography|publisher=billmaher.com|access-date=August 25, 2013}}</ref>

Maher has said his comedic influences include [[Lenny Bruce]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-04-11 |title=A Conversation with Bill Maher {{!}} St. Louis Magazine |url=https://www.stlmag.com/culture/A-Conversation-with-Bill-Maher/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=www.stlmag.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Steve Allen]], [[Johnny Carson]], [[Robert Klein]], and [[George Carlin]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=2016-06-25 |title='Awards Chatter' Podcast — Bill Maher ('Real Time With Bill Maher') |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/awards-chatter-podcast-bill-maher-906168/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Liz |date=2015-07-31 |title=An Interview with Bill Maher |url=https://theroanoker.com/api/content/37e0b7da-36c4-11e5-bbeb-22000b078648/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=TheRoanoker.com |language=en-us}}</ref> Comedians who have said they were influenced by Maher include [[Chris Rock]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=2014-12-03 |title=Chris Rock: The Rolling Stone Interview |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/chris-rock-the-rolling-stone-interview-55649/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2003, he began dating [[flight attendant]] Coco Johnsen. In November 2004, at the end of their 17-month relationship, Johnsen sued Maher for US$9 million for "pain and suffering" for alleged "insulting, humiliating and degrading racial comments." Her suit stated that Maher promised to marry her and father her children, support her financially and buy a house in [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]]. Johnsen's suit also alleged that she quit her job as a flight attendant and occasional model to be with him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-13 |title=Bill Maher Hit With Palimony Suit |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/bill-maher-hit-palimony-suit |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=The Smoking Gun |language=en}}</ref> Maher's lawyers in their response, filed on November 23, 2004, in [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] said Maher is a "confirmed bachelor, and a very public one at that" who "never promised to marry [Johnsen] or to have children with her."<ref>{{cite web|last=Lehner|first=Marla|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,832690,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208104159/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,832690,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 8, 2008|title=Bill Maher: Ex-Girlfriend Is a Con Artist - Bill Maher|work=People|date=November 29, 2004|access-date=July 1, 2015}}</ref> Maher's filing stated that, after the relationship had ended, Johnsen "launched a campaign to embarrass, humiliate, and extort ridiculous sums of money from Bill Maher." Johnsen's lawsuit was dismissed on May 2, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hagan |first=Joe |date=2012-04-06 |title=How Bill Maher Managed to Occupy an Important Place in the National Conversation -- New York Magazine - Nymag |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/bill-maher-2012-4/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=[[New York Magazine]] |page=6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-25 |title=Judge Dismisses $9M Lawsuit Against Bill Maher |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/judge-dismisses-9m-lawsuit-against-bill-maher |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2005, Maher began dating [[Karrine Steffans]], author and former [[Video vixen|hip hop model]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allreaders.com/topics/Info_35499.asp|title=Plot Summary of Confessions of A Video Vixen|last=Calhoune|first=Sandra|access-date=January 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205104113/http://www.allreaders.com/topics/info_35499.asp|archive-date=December 5, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="savvy">{{cite web|url=http://www.savvyinsider.com/article.php?op=viewArticle&article_ID=305|title=Bill Maher&nbsp;– Smart, Snide, Still Single|access-date=January 3, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051108055750/http://www.savvyinsider.com/article.php?op=viewArticle&article_ID=305|archive-date=November 8, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Nia-Malika |date=2005-07-29 |title=A Bawdy Lifestyle, and How to Shake It |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072802242.html |access-date=2025-07-01 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> When commentators suggested there was a pattern to his dating because both his girlfriend and former girlfriend were black, Maher said, "People say I'm into black women. [[Robert De Niro]] is into black women. I'm just into women who are real, and they happen to be black."<ref name="savvy"/> From 2009 to 2011, Maher dated former adjunct professor, [[science education|science educator]], and current ''[[Skeptics' Guide to the Universe]]'' co-host [[Cara Santa Maria]].<ref name=DailyNews/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=In Touch |date=2011-03-21 |title=Bill Maher & Cara Santa Maria Split - InTouch Weekly {{!}} In Touch Weekly |url=https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/bill-maher-cara-santa-maria-split-20574/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=InTouch Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> Since 2014, Maher has dated Canadian singer [[Anjulie|Anjulie Persaud]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1224401/toronto-mayor-rob-ford-gets-support-from-bill-maher|title=Bill Maher supports Rob Ford|publisher=[[Global News]]|date=March 22, 2014|first=John|last=Kennedy|access-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, Maher purchased a minority ownership interest in the [[New York Mets]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8004806/bill-maher-buys-minority-share-new-york-mets|title=Bill Maher owns stake in Mets|author=Rubin, Adam|date=June 3, 2012|publisher=[[ESPN New York]]|access-date=June 4, 2012}}</ref> which he sold in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outkick.com/mlb/bill-maher-tripled-his-money-in-mets-minority-stake|title=Bill Maher Tripled His Money in Mets Minority Stake|author=Glasspiegel, Ryan|date=November 12, 2020|publisher=Outkick|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
| 1983
| ''[[D.C. Cab]]''
| Baba
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Ratboy]]''
| Party Guest
|-
| 1987
| ''[[House II: The Second Story]]''
| John
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Out of Time (1988 film)|Out of Time]]''
| Maxwell Taylor
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death]]''
| Jim
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Pizza Man (1991 film)|Pizza Man]]''
| Elmo Bunn
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Primary Colors (film)|Primary Colors]]''
| Himself
|-
| 1999
| ''[[EDtv]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Tomcats (2001 film)|Tomcats]]''
| Carlos
|-
| 2002
| ''[[John Q.]]''
| Himself 
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Pauly Shore Is Dead]]''
| Himself
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2005
| ''[[The Aristocrats (film)|The Aristocrats]]''
| Himself
|-
|''[[Fuck (2005 film)|Fuck]]''
| Himself
|-
| ''[[Inside Deep Throat]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Heckler (film)|Heckler]]''
| Himself
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| ''[[Swing Vote (2008 film)|Swing Vote]]''
| Himself
|-
| ''[[Religulous]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2012
| ''[[The Campaign (film)|The Campaign]]''
| Himself
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013
| ''[[Iron Man 3]]''
| Himself
|-
| ''[[Delivery Man (film)|Delivery Man]]''
| Himself
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[A Million Ways to Die in the West]]''
| Comic
|-
| ''[[The Interview]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Ted 2]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Gringo (2018 film)|Gringo]]''
| Himself
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Late Night (film)|Late Night]]''
| Himself
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1985
| ''[[Alice (American TV series)|Alice]]''
| Officer Gary Conroy
| Episode: "Vera's Anniversary Blues"
|-
| ''[[Sara (1985 TV series)|Sara]]''
| Marty Lang
| 13 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1987
| ''[[Rags to Riches (TV series)|Rags to Riches]]''
| Freddie
| Episode: "Pilot"
|-
| ''[[Hard Knocks (1987 TV series)|Hard Knocks]]''
| Gower
| 3 episodes
|-
| ''[[Max Headroom (TV series)|Max Headroom]]''
| Haskel
| Episode: "Whacketts"
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Newhart]]''
| Norm Murphy
| Episode: "The Buck Stops Here"
|-
| 1989–90
| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
| Rick Rivers/Frank Albertson
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1989–1992
| ''[[One Night Stand (American TV series)|One Night Stand]]''
| Himself
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Charlie Hoover]]''
| Elliot
| 4 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1993
| ''[[Married... with Children]]''
| Adam Gold
| Episode: "You Can't Miss"
|-
| ''[[The Jackie Thomas Show]]''
| Mr. Lorre
| Episode: "Strike"
|-
| ''[[Roseanne]]''
| Photographer
| Episode: "It Was Twenty Years Ago Today"
|-
| 1993–2002
| ''[[Politically Incorrect]]''
| Himself (host)
| 2,266 episodes; creator, writer and executive producer
|-
| rowspan=2|1997 
| ''[[The Larry Sanders Show]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Roast"
|-
| ''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Mr. Montgomery Goes to Washington"
|-
| 1998
| ''[[V.I.P. (American TV series)|V.I.P.]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "One Wedding and Val's Funeral"
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1999
| ''[[Spin City]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Politically Incorrect"
|-
| ''[[Brother's Keeper (1998 TV series)|Brother's Keeper]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Politically Impolite"
|-
| ''[[Snoops (1999 TV series)|Snoops]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Higher Calling"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[The Chris Rock Show]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "5.8"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Son of the Beach]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Penetration Island"
|-
| 2003–present
| ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]''
| Himself (host)
| Also creator, writer and executive producer
|-
| 2004
| ''[[MADtv]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "10.6"
|-
| 2008
| ''[[True Blood]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[Strange Love (True Blood)|Strange Love]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| ''[[The Sarah Silverman Program]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Silverman and the Pillows"
|-
| ''[[The Boondocks (2005 TV series)|The Boondocks]]''
| Himself (voice)
| Episode: "It's a Black President, Huey Freeman"
|-
| 2010–2017
| ''[[Family Guy]]''
| Himself (voice)
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2012
| ''[[The Good Wife]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Anatomy of a Joke"
|-
| 2013
| ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[Chapter 6 (House of Cards)|Chapter 6]]"
|-
| 2013–2018
| ''[[Vice (TV series)|Vice]]''
| {{n/a|—}}
| 113 episodes; executive producer
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Blackish]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Elephant in the Room"
|-
|}

=== Specials ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Platform 
|-
| 1995
| ''Bill Maher: Stuff that Struck Me Funny''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/09/23/hbo-comedy-hour-bill-maher-stuff-that/|title=HBO Comedy Hour|website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=September 23, 1995 }}</ref>
| rowspan=13|[[HBO]]
|-
| 1997
| ''Bill Maher: The Golden Goose Special''
|-
| 2000
| ''Bill Maher: Be More Cynical''
|-
| 2003
| ''Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home''
|-
| 2005
| ''[[I'm Swiss|Bill Maher: I'm Swiss]]''
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Bill Maher: The Decider]]''
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Bill Maher... But I'm Not Wrong]]''
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Bill Maher: Crazy Stupid Politics]]''
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Bill Maher: Live from D.C.]]''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/bill-maher-live-from-dc/1000424546/|title= Bill Maher: Live from DC|website= TV Guide|accessdate= May 5, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Bill Maher: WhinyLittleBitch|Bill Maher: #WhinyLittleBitch]]''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stern |first1=Marlow |title=Bill Maher Roasts 'Rapist' Donald Trump in #WhinyLittleBitch Comedy Special |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-roasts-rapist-donald-trump-in-whinylittlebitch-comedy-special |website=The Daily Beast |language=en |date=November 3, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Bill Maher: Live from Oklahoma]]''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/bill-maher-live-from-oklahoma/1000677005/|title= Bill Maher: Live from Oklahoma|website= TV Guide|accessdate= May 5, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Bill Maher: Adulting|Bill Maher: #Adulting]]''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.vulture.com/article/bill-maher-adulting-hbo-comedy.html|title= Analyzing Bill Maher's Adulting HBO Standup Comedy Special|website= Vulture|date= April 19, 2022|accessdate= May 5, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Bill Maher Comedy Special 'Is Anyone Else Seeing This?' Set At HBO |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/bill-maher-comedy-special-hbo-1236170000/ |access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Bibliography==
* ''[[True Story: A Novel]]'', 1994 ({{ISBN|0-7432-4251-3}})
* ''Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits'', 1996 ({{ISBN|0-679-45627-9}})
* ''Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? The Best of Politically Incorrect'', 1997 ({{ISBN|0-345-41281-8}})
* ''[[When You Ride Alone You Ride with bin Laden]]: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism'', 2003 ({{ISBN|1-893224-90-2}})
* ''Keep the Statue of Liberty Closed: The New Rules'', 2004 ({{ISBN|1-932407-47-2}})
* ''[[New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer]]'', 2005 ({{ISBN|1-59486-295-8}})
* ''[[The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody but Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass]]'', 2011 ({{ISBN|0-39915-841-3}})
* ''What This Comedian Said Will Shock You'', 2024

==See also==
{{Portal|Anarchism|Communism|Environment|Organized Labour|Politics|Socialism|Feminism|Liberalism|United States}}
* [[List of animal rights advocates]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q489|commons=category:Bill Maher|n=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|species=no|b=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|5175}}
* {{National Public Radio|3812812}} in 2004
* {{C-SPAN|39101}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|2106}}
* {{LCAuth|n90701389|Bill Maher|14|}}

{{Bill Maher|state=expanded}}
{{animal rights}}
{{Authority control}}

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