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Bill Nye

Acting

Born November 27, 1955 · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Also known as William Sanford Nye · Bill Nye the Science Guy

Biography

William Sanford "Bill" Nye, popularly known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, is an American science educator, television presenter, and mechanical engineer. Scientist, comedian, teacher, and author, Bill Nye is best known as the host of the PBS children's science show Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993–1998), and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator. Currently, Nye is The Planetary Society’s CEO. It’s the world’s largest non-profit space interest group with members in 130 countries. Cofounded by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman, the organization’s mission is to empower the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration. Nye joined The Planetary Society as a Charter Member in 1980. Nye’s engineering and management experience enabled him to take the lead and play a hands-on role in making programs like LightSail® a success. Nye earned a degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell University and spent over 20 years working as an engineer until he combined his dual love of science and comedy to create Bill Nye the Science Guy. As a student at Cornell University, he was introduced to the wonders of astronomy in a class taught by Professor Carl Sagan. After graduating from Cornell University, Bill worked for the Boeing Corporation, Sundstrand Data Control (now Honeywell), and a few other engineering firms in the Seattle area. The U.S. Department of Justice also recruited Bill for his unique technical expertise and pedagogical skills. From 1992 to 1998, Bill was the writer, producer and talent for the Emmy award-winning Bill Nye the Science Guy TV series co-produced by Buena Vista Television (Disney) and KCTS (Seattle public television). His new series Bill Nye Saves The World debuted on Netflix in April 2017. Bill has authored several books, including New York Times Bestseller “Undeniable,” “Unstoppable” and his latest, “Everything All at Once,” which released in July of 2017. In addition to leading The Planetary Society, he travels the world lecturing on the importance of science, space exploration, and inspiring generations of young people to change the world.

Awards & recognition

  • Presidential Medal of Freedom · 2025
  • Washington Award · 2014
  • Carl Sagan AwardPublic Understanding of Science · 1997
  • Daytime Emmy Award
  • Fellow of the CommitteeSkeptical Inquiry
Show all 6 awards →
  • Humanist of the Year

Filmography40 titles

Futurama

1999as Bill Nye the Science Head (voice)

High Potential

2024as Bill Nye

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?

2019as Bill Nye (voice)

Stargate Atlantis

2004as Bill Nye

The Big Bang Theory

2007as Bill Nye

Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!

2020as Bill Nye (voice)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

2014as Self

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

1993

To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb

2023as Self - Science Educator

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

2013as Self

Fight For Space

2016as Self

Hollywood Squares

1998as Self - Panelist

Beyond Stranger Things

2017as Self

Blindspot

2015as Bill Nye

Bill Nye the Science Guy

1993as Self - Host

I Love You, You Hate Me

as Self

Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero

2014as Bill Nye (voice)

Food Evolution

2016as Self

An Honest Liar

2014as Self

Sesame Street

1969

American Dad!

2005as Bill Nye (voice)

Numb3rs

2005as Bill Waldie

A.P. Bio

2018as Bill Nye

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure

2022as Brimford (voice)

Mank

2020as Upton Sinclair

StarTalk

2015as Self

The Irrational

2023as Bill Nye

The Mars Generation

2017as Self

Bill Nye: Science Guy

2017as Self

Behind the Curve

2018as Self

Back to the Future

1991as Science Guy

Dancing with the Stars

2005as Self - Audience Member

A Brief History of Time Travel

2019as Self

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003as Self

The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale

2018as Self - Special Guest

Bliss

2021as Chris

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014as Self

Chelsea

2016as Self

Bill Nye Saves the World

2017as Self - Host

PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie

2026as (voice)