Bill Maher: Biography

Bill Maher is best known for hosting the irreverent, often wickedly funny late-night talk show, Politically Incorrect, in which Maher leads a wide variety of celebrities in a discussion of politics and modern issues. The New Jersey-native began as a standup comic (it still remains his first love) and in 1979 worked as a host at the Catch-a-Rising-Star comedy club in New York. In 1982, he was discovered by comedian Steve Allen and this led to Maher's appearances on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and on David Letterman's late-night talk show. Maher also tried his hand at acting, appearing as a guest star on television series in the late '80s, including Newhart, Roseanne, and Married With Children. He made his feature-film debut in D.C. Cab (1983) and went on to appear in such films as Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1988) and Pizza Man (1991). He began hosting and writing for Politically Incorrect in 1994. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide