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Bill Nye the Science Guy awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Published  January 6, 2025 1:25pm PST
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Bill Nye discusses journey to becoming 'the science guy' ahead of climate change event at McCaw Hall

Bill Nye is speaking at McCaw Hall on Tuesday night about fighting climate change. He joined Studio 13 Live on Tuesday to talk about the event and also his journey to becoming "the science guy" everybody knows about!

The Brief

    • Bill Nye the Science Guy was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden on Jan. 4, 2025
    • The award is the nation's highest civilian honor, given to those who have made significant contributions to the U.S. and the world.
    • Along with Bill Nye, 18 other individuals from various fields were recognized for their impactful work, including Ralph Lauren, Bono, Michael J. Fox and Magic Johnson.

SEATTLE - Bill Nye, the beloved television personality known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden over the weekend.

On Saturday, President Biden presented the prestigious award to 19 notable figures in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science, honoring them as "great leaders who have made America and the world a better place."

Bill Nye, the beloved television personality known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden over the weekend. On Saturday, President Biden presented the prestigious award to 19 notable figures in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and science, honoring them as "great leaders who have made America and the world a better place." The reason William Sanford Nye, known to generations as Bill Nye the Science Guy, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom was outlined in a press release from the White House. "Bill Nye has inspired and influenced generations of American students as 'Bill Nye the Science Guy.' His dedication to science education continues through his work as CEO of the Planetary Society and as a vocal advocate for space exploration and environmental stewardship." Keep reading to learn more about the award, Bill Nye, and other recipients of the honor. What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom? According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s well-being, values, or security, as well as to global peace or other significant public, private, or societal efforts. The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable past recipients include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and Mother Teresa. Who is Bill Nye the Science Guy? William Sanford Nye, known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden for his dedication to science education and for inspiring and influencing generations of American students. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, Nye began his career as an engineer at Boeing in Seattle, where he developed a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor for the Boeing 747. According to Biography.com, Bill Nye later became a comedy writer and performer on the sketch comedy show Almost Live. It was here that he created the iconic "Science Guy" character. Soon after, Seattle’s PBS KCTS-TV produced the educational science program Bill Nye the Science Guy, which aired from 1993 to 1998. Over the show’s five-year run, Nye hosted 100 episodes, each blending humor with scientific principles, making complex concepts accessible and exciting. The show won 19 Emmy Awards, with seven of those personally awarded to Nye for writing, performing, and producing. Nye’s contributions to science education extend far beyond his television career. As the current CEO of the Planetary Society, Nye continues to advocate for space exploration, scientific research, and environmental protection. Through his work with the organization, he strives to engage the public in scientific discovery and promote global efforts to address climate change and preserve the environment for future generations.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 4: Science advocate and television host Bill Nye is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 1 (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)

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The reason William Sanford Nye, known to generations as Bill Nye the Science Guy, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom was outlined in a press release from the White House.

"Bill Nye has inspired and influenced generations of American students as 'Bill Nye the Science Guy.' His dedication to science education continues through his work as CEO of the Planetary Society and as a vocal advocate for space exploration and environmental stewardship."

Keep reading to learn more about the award, Bill Nye, and other recipients of the honor.

What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s well-being, values, or security, as well as to global peace or other significant public, private or societal efforts.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable past recipients include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and Mother Teresa.

Bill Nye, the beloved television personality known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden over the weekend. On Saturday, President Biden presented the prestigious award to 19 notable figures in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and science, honoring them as "great leaders who have made America and the world a better place." The reason William Sanford Nye, known to generations as Bill Nye the Science Guy, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom was outlined in a press release from the White House. "Bill Nye has inspired and influenced generations of American students as 'Bill Nye the Science Guy.' His dedication to science education continues through his work as CEO of the Planetary Society and as a vocal advocate for space exploration and environmental stewardship." Keep reading to learn more about the award, Bill Nye, and other recipients of the honor. What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom? According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country’s well-being, values, or security, as well as to global peace or other significant public, private, or societal efforts. The Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable past recipients include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and Mother Teresa. Who is Bill Nye the Science Guy? William Sanford Nye, known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden for his dedication to science education and for inspiring and influencing generations of American students. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, Nye began his career as an engineer at Boeing in Seattle, where he developed a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor for the Boeing 747. According to Biography.com, Bill Nye later became a comedy writer and performer on the sketch comedy show Almost Live. It was here that he created the iconic "Science Guy" character. Soon after, Seattle’s PBS KCTS-TV produced the educational science program Bill Nye the Science Guy, which aired from 1993 to 1998. Over the show’s five-year run, Nye hosted 100 episodes, each blending humor with scientific principles, making complex concepts accessible and exciting. The show won 19 Emmy Awards, with seven of those personally awarded to Nye for writing, performing, and producing. Nye’s contributions to science education extend far beyond his television career. As the current CEO of the Planetary Society, Nye continues to advocate for space exploration, scientific research, and environmental protection. Through his work with the organization, he strives to engage the public in scientific discovery and promote global efforts to address climate change and preserve the environment for future generations.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 4: Science advocate and television host Bill Nye greets U.S. President Joe Biden before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden

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Who is Bill Nye the Science Guy?

William Sanford Nye, known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden for his dedication to science education and for inspiring and influencing generations of American students.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, Nye began his career as an engineer at Boeing in Seattle, where he developed a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor for the Boeing 747.

According to Biography.com, Bill Nye later became a comedy writer and performer on the sketch comedy show Almost Live. It was here that he created the iconic "Science Guy" character.

Soon after, Seattle’s PBS KCTS-TV produced the educational science program Bill Nye the Science Guy, which aired from 1993 to 1998.

Over the show’s five-year run, Nye hosted 100 episodes, each blending humor with scientific principles, making complex concepts accessible and exciting. The show won 19 Emmy Awards, with seven of those personally awarded to Nye for writing, performing and producing.

Nye’s contributions to science education extend far beyond his television career. As the current CEO of the Planetary Society, Nye continues to advocate for space exploration, scientific research and environmental protection. Through his work with the organization, he strives to engage the public in scientific discovery and promote global efforts to address climate change and preserve the environment for future generations.

Who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday?

On Jan. 4, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 prominent individuals from the fields of politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.

Here are all the recipients, listed in a press release from the White House: 

  • José Andrés
  • Bono
  • Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous)
  • Hillary Clinton
  • Michael J. Fox
  • Tim Gill
  • Dr. Jane Goodall
  • Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous)
  • Earvin "Magic" Johnson
  • Robert Francis Kennedy
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Lionel Messi
  • William Sanford Nye, Bill Nye the Science Guy
  • George W. Romney (posthumous)
  • David M. Rubenstein
  • George Soros
  • George Stevens, Jr.
  • Denzel Washington
  • Anna Wintour

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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The Source

  • Information for this article came from a White House press release titled 'President Biden Announces Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.' Additional background information about Bill Nye was sourced from Biography.com.

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