Bill Nye got his start as The Science Guy on the 1987 comedy sketch show “Almost Live.”
SEATTLE — Bill Nye, the beloved Science Guy, has received the nation’s highest civilian honor as he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden on Saturday morning.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
Biden wrote that “Bill Nye has inspired and influenced generations of American students as ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy.'”
Known for his educational TV show about science, Bill Nye the Science Guy was produced by a Seattle public access station KCTS and nationally syndicated for six years between 1993 and 1999. He got his start on KING 5 as an actor on the comedy sketch show Almost Live! in the ’80s.
His first-ever sketch as the iconic Science Guy character was on Almost Live! in 1987.
To watch more of Bill Nye’s time on Almost Live! check out the show on KING 5+.
Biden also shouted out Nye’s current work as the CEO of the Planetary Society and his vocal advocacy for environmental stewardship and space exploration. The Planetary Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit that engages in advocacy, public outreach and research related to space exploration.
Nye was honored alongside other influential figures, including José Andrés, Bono, Hillary Clinton, Michael J. Fox, Magic Johnson, Jane Goodall, Lionel Messi, Fannie Lou Hammer, Robert Francis Kennedy, Ralph Lauren, George Soros, Denzel Washington and several others.
Don’t have KING 5+? Here’s how to download the free streaming app to watch Almost Live!
On Roku:
- Search KING 5
- Click ‘Add Channel’ button to download
On Amazon Fire TV:
- Search KING 5
- Click ‘Get’ to download
On Apple TV:
- Search KING 5
- Click ‘Get’ to download