Born in Washington, D.C., Nye began his career as a mechanical engineer for Boeing in Seattle, where he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube used on 747 airplanes. He has been married to Liza Mundy since June 22, 2022. April 14, 1993. Nye portrays a hyper-kinetic, tall, and slender scientist wearing a blue lab coat and a bow-tie. He started writing and acting. Bill Nye Eventually, Nye decided to leave engineering and pursue his a full-time comedy career; at the time, it was a career move that seemed pretty risky! [23] Noggin and Nye chose not to develop new episodes of the show, and instead created original shorts featuring Nye, in character and costume from Bill Nye the Science Guy. [15] "I can't name them, because it was against their contract to do outside things without permission from their record company," Greene noted. Each half-hour show begins with a cold open, where Nye introduces the episode's theme, which leads into an opening credit sequence, and featuring Nye in a computer animated scientific world, along with his head spinning, radio frequencies, and plastic toy dinosaurs flying. called in to cancel their appearance; with no backup guest planned to fill the resulting empty time, the show's writers elected to have Nye demonstrate the household uses of liquid nitrogen. In 1994 and 1995, Walt Disney Home Video released five volumes of Bill Nye the Science Guy, such as "The Human Body: The Inside Scoop", "Powerful Forces: All Pumped Up", "Dinosaurs: Those Big Boneheads", "Reptiles & Insects: Leapin' Lizards", and "Outer Space: Way Out There". [15] "I used my voice for the first demo to send to the producers, Jim and Erren," he said. Safety glasses off, motherfuckers. Episode Review "The Sun", Deep Yellow's "My Favorite Star". In fact, he's got a new black comedy educational series titled The End is Nye, and it might just prepare you for the end of the world. The show addressed environmental issues like global warming, modified food, etc. On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on May 12, 2019, he discussed climate change and the proposed Green New Deal, and said:[102]. Bill Nye goes planet-gazing and takes a serious look . [42][43] Its third and final season was released on May 11, 2018. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. who said Thursday on his show The 700 Club, "Let's be . Bill Nye was originally an engineer for the 747 airliner at Boeing, having moved to Seattle in 1977 after he was accepted for the position. The showwhich proudly proclaimed in its theme song that "science rules! Nye Labs, the production offices and set where the show was recorded, was in a converted clothing warehouse near Seattle's Kingdome. [104] His California house is solar-powered, and often feeds extra power back into the public power grid, something he enjoys showing visitors. [1] In 2017, the Netflix series Bill Nye Saves the World debuted, and ran for three seasons until 2018. He eventually became a writer and performer on Almost Live.. If you look back on all the teachers that you liked, I am sure you will find they were very entertaining. Birthday: November 27, 1955 ( Sagittarius) Born In: Washington, D.C., United States 176 19 TV Presenters #9 Mechanical Engineers #6 Media Personalities #7 Quick Facts Nick Name: The Science Guy Also Known As: William Sanford Nye, Bill Nye the Science Guy Age: 67 Years, 67 Year Old Males Family: Spouse/Ex-: Blair Tindall (m. 2006-2006) [2] After the show's first run was completed, Nye continued to portray the Science Guy character for a number of short interstitial segments for the cable television channel Noggin, which aired during rebroadcasts of Bill Nye the Science Guy. '"[13], Nye attended Lafayette Elementary School and Alice Deal Junior High before attending Sidwell Friends for high school on a scholarship, graduating in 1973. Despite Disney's association and ownership with the show, it has never aired on any network owned by Walt Disney Television in the US (such as Disney Channel and the American Broadcasting Company, known as simply ABC, which Disney did not acquire until 1996, three years after the show premiered. "[23] PBS declined to distribute The Eyes of Nye, and it was eventually picked up by American Public Television. It was produced by television station KCTS and McKenna/Gottlieb Producers and distributed by Buena Vista Television with substantial financing from the National Science Foundation. I was working on the Nye theme as they walked in and I told them, 'Hey, do me a favor and go in the booth and chant 'Bill, Bill, Bill' over and over again.' [66], In September 2019, Nye was a guest on Episode 127 of Jonathan Van Ness's podcast Getting Curious, where they discussed climate change, the failures of cold fusion, the potential of better battery technology for storage of energy produced by wind turbines and solar panels, the benefits of and forthcoming improvements to electric vehicles, and the detriment and failures of fossil fuel and nuclear energy, measures toward water cleanliness, the role of girls' and women's education in improving the environment, and the threat the Trump administration posed to the environment and to scientific thought in general.[67][68][69]. American science communicator (born 1955), This article is about the American science educator. In 1986, he took a job as a comedy writer and performer on a local comedy program, "Almost Live," (and quit Boeing) where he first appeared as Bill Nye the Science Guy. Career Bill Nye started his career working at Boeing Corporation as an engineer which was located near Seattle. Students also described Nye almost equally as both "funny" and "smart", and believed he was a "source of good information."[25]. When Nye isn't acting, making TV and film appearances or writing, he is working as a scientist. [34] While portraying "The Science Guy", Nye wore a powder blue lab coat and a bow tie. In 1852 Nye's family moved to Wisconsin, where he later taught school and read law. [48] In 2004 and 2005, he hosted 100 Greatest Discoveries, an award-winning series produced by THINKFilm for The Science Channel, broadcast in high definition on the Discovery HD Theater network. First Name Bill #2. [18] He applied four times, unsuccessfully, for NASA's astronaut training program. [55] In November 2008, he portrayed himself in the fifth-season episode "Brain Storm" of Stargate Atlantis, alongside fellow television personality and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. He was then chosen to be its second executive director. [78] He spoke of his father's passion for sundials and timekeeping, his time at Cornell, his work on the sundials on the Mars rovers, and the story behind the Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock,[79] which he then presented to the university atop Rhodes Hall. [1] Nye was honorary co-chair of the inaugural March for Science on April 22, 2017. [72] He became the organization's second Executive Director in September 2010 when Louis Friedman stepped down. [23] After a guest canceled, cohost Ross Shafer told Nye he had seven minutes of programming to fill. Among his TV credits, Nye played a science teacher in a Disney movie and on the television crime drama Numb3rs. Nye has written many science books under his pseudonym The Science Guy.. [37][34], Nye's Science Guy personality is also prominent at Walt Disney Parks and Resortsmost notably his appearance with Ellen DeGeneres at Ellen's Energy Adventure, an attraction that ran from 1996 to 2017 at the Universe of Energy pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World. [117], In 2022, Nye married journalist Liza Mundy.[118]. [108] He frequently consulted with Obama on science matters during Obama's presidency, and famously took a selfie with him and Neil deGrasse Tyson at the White House. [14][15] He moved to Ithaca, New York to attend Cornell University and study at the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The show began with a 26-episode order for the 19931994 Season. After striking out in his first at-bat, he singled in the bottom of the third inning to a rousing ovation from the Nationals Park crowd. For the film, see, Friend, T. (January 5, 2004). The Syndicated airings were credited as "Produced in Association with the National Science Foundation", while the PBS airings changed it to "Produced in Association with Walt Disney Television". comedy show. "It was kinda funny, because they were in my studio one day to record a song. They are neighbors and go out together for meals. [6][5] Nye successfully obtained underwriting from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. [54], In 2008, Nye hosted Stuff Happens, a short-lived show on the Planet Green network. I've changed my mind about genetically modified organisms. He has been honored by many universities with several doctorates because of his contribution to science. in the '80s and '90s. [28] Nye soon got more offers to appear on nationally broadcast programs, including eight segments of the Disney Channel's All-New Mickey Mouse Club. In July 2018, Nye played for the National League squad at the MLB All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. [106] Nye often appeared on Begley's HGTV/Planet Green reality show Living with Ed. [5][12] KCTS-TV commissioned a pilot for Bill Nye the Science Guy, which aired on April 14, 1993, on the station itself before airing on PBS stations nationwide for the rest of the month. Omissions? He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Goucher College and Johns Hopkins. [9] His persona's first on-air appearance, as it is contemporarily known, occurred on January 10, 1987, by circumstance when the primary guest for that night's performance of Almost Live! Over its five-year run, the show won 19 Emmy Awards; Nye personally received seven Emmys for writing, performing and producing. Professor Proton accuses Bill Nye of making his TV series similar to Proton's show. Settling in Laramie, Wyo., in 1876, he served as postmaster and justice of the peace and contributed to the Denver Tribune and Cheyenne Sun. "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Chemical Reactions "Don't Try This at Home" Parody of "State of Attraction" by Paula Abdul, During its run, Bill Nye the Science Guy was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards, winning nineteen. [34] Although it focused on younger viewers, it also attracted a significant adult audience. [53] In the fall of 2008, he appeared periodically on the daytime game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire as part of its "Ask the Expert" feature. Being born on 27 November 1955, Bill Nye is 67 years old as of today's date 27th February 2023. He then quit his engineering job to focus on comedy. There are a lot of things we could do to put it out. His most recent series, The End is Nye, premiered August 25, 2022, on Peacock and Syfy. When he was based in Seattle, working for Boeing, Nye began doing stand-up comedy some nights after work. What is Bill Nye's real name? All Rights Reserved. He continued to exhibit his enthusiasm for science. "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Nyevana "Smells Like Air Pressure" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Magmadonna "Crust" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: J.C. "Mr. Dino" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Sure Floats-a lot "Bill's Got Boat" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Attraction Action "G-R-A-V-I-T-Y" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Dy Gestion "Can't Eat This" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Phaze Change "Solid Liquid Gas" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Bio Di Versity "We're all Connected" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Pulley Ramp Five "ABC's of Machinery" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Lunatics "Moon Cycle" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Gloria Wavelength and the Vibrations "Sound is a VIBE" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Trash E. Trash "R.E.C.Y.C.L.E." was as Speed Walker, a speedwalking Seattle superhero "who fights crime while maintaining strict adherence to the regulations of the international speedwalking association. It consisted of Pat Cashman saying the show's title in a distorted male voice, and the word "Bill" is repeated throughout as a percussive shout. In 2017, Nye launched a Netflix show, Bill Nye Saves the World, which explores science topics that affect everyday lives and invites both celebrity guest speakers and experts to join in on the discussions. He had like a rockandroll kind of voice, so it sounded pretty slick. Nye conducted a Q&A session after the 2012 Mars Rover landing. [133] In 2011, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSICOP) gave Nye their highest award, In Praise of Reason. Kool J. After attending the private Sidwell Friends School, Nye enrolled at Cornell University, where he studied mechanical engineering. [39], Following the success of Bill Nye the Science Guy, Nye began work on a comeback project, The Eyes of Nye, aimed at an older audience and tackling more controversial science topics such as genetically modified food, global warming and race. [7] Known as MarsDial, in addition to tracking time, it had small colored panels to provide a basis for color calibration. [114] Nye subsequently sued Tindall for $57,000 in attorney's fees after she allegedly violated the protective order. Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Stress N' Tension "Let's Talk About Stress" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: A Tilted Development "Rhyme and Season"; artist name is a parody of, "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Bent Wavelengths "Light and Colour" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Mighty Chondria "Cellular Haze" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Billy Ray Cyrcuits "AC/DC Charge" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Elvi Centuri "Celestial Hotel" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Eye Doctors "Two Eyes" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: N.S. Mini Bio (1) Bill Nye was born on November 27, 1955 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. [20] Nye's friends asked him to do Steve Martin impressions at parties, and he discovered how much he enjoyed making people laugh. [5] During his tenure on the show, Nye began cultivating a science-explaining TV persona; the first instance of the persona occurred in 1985 when Nye called Shafer on-air to correct his pronunciation of the word "gigawatt", to which Shafer retorted, "Who do you think you are Bill Nye the Science Guy? [65] Also in 2018, Nye made a second guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory as himself, together with fellow scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson, in the first episode ("The Conjugal Configuration") of the show's final season. Here, I've got an experiment for yousafety glasses on. Nye walks onto the set, which is called "Nye Laboratories", filled with scientific visuals including many "of science" contraptions announced dramatically, relevant to the theme of the episode. (with Bill lip-syncing), "Inertia is a property of matter", and "T-minus seven seconds". [22] Nye obtained underwriting for the show from the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Energy. [3] Studies also found that people that viewed Bill Nye regularly were better able to generate explanations and extensions of scientific ideas than non-viewers.[4]. [130] Nye also received an honorary doctor of pedagogy degree during a commencement ceremony at Lehigh University on May 20, 2013. The experience made Edwin a sundial enthusiast, with his son later becoming one himself. In their meeting at the space sciences building, Nye explained that he was interested in developing a science television program. [73][74], In November 2010, Nye became the face of a major science exhibition at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California. Before his show launched, Nye had previously worked alongside Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future: The Animated Series, where he played Doc Brown's assistant and demonstrated several experiments. by Ken Ham on July 8, 2016. [70] Nye portrayed Upton Sinclair in the 2020 biopic Mank.