
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 Award — Public Understanding of Science · 1997
- Daytime Emmy Award
- Fellow of the Committee — Skeptical Inquiry
Show all 6 awards →
- Humanist of the Year
Filmography40 titles

Futurama

High Potential

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?

Stargate Atlantis

The Big Bang Theory

Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Fight For Space

Hollywood Squares

Beyond Stranger Things

Blindspot

Bill Nye the Science Guy

I Love You, You Hate Me

Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero

Food Evolution

An Honest Liar

Sesame Street

American Dad!

Numb3rs

A.P. Bio

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure

Mank

StarTalk

The Irrational

The Mars Generation

Bill Nye: Science Guy

Behind the Curve

Back to the Future

Dancing with the Stars

A Brief History of Time Travel

Real Time with Bill Maher

The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale

Bliss

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Chelsea

Bill Nye Saves the World

PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie