Bill Nye

Bill Nye, born William Sanford Nye on November 27, 1955 in Washington, D.C., is an American mechanical engineer turned iconic science communicator and television personality. After earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1977, he worked for Boeing where he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube for the 747, and later pursued comedy, winning a Steve Martin look‑alike contest and performing on Seattle’s sketch show Almost Live! before launching his signature educational brand. In 1993 he created Bill Nye the Science Guy, a high‑energy, MTV‑styled series that combined rapid‑cut experiments, catchy songs, and flamboyant bow ties to make complex concepts accessible to children and adults alike; the show earned nineteen Emmy Awards out of twenty‑three nominations and cemented his status as a cultural icon.

Beyond the original series, Nye has hosted The Eyes of Nye, Bill Nye Saves the World, and The End Is Nye, authored bestselling books such as Undeniable and Unstoppable, and served as CEO of The Planetary Society. He has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, The Big Bang Theory, and numerous documentary projects, while advocating for climate action, space exploration, and science education at the highest levels, including briefings with U.S. presidents. His patents span from ballet pointe shoes to educational magnifying devices, reflecting a lifelong blend of engineering ingenuity and showmanship that continues to inspire generations to question, explore, and celebrate the wonders of science.