Bill Maher Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Bill Maher’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $140 million, Bill Maher stands out as an American comedian, actor, and TV host. A significant part of his wealth is derived from a notable investment in the New York Mets, made in 2012. More details on that investment will be provided later in the article. Maher is primarily recognized for his political satire, comedy, and sociopolitical commentary, with his HBO talk show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” serving as a platform for many of his viewpoints.

“Real Time” Salary

For his role on “Real Time,” Bill Maher earns an annual salary of $10 million.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born in New York City on January 20, 1956, William Maher’s upbringing included a father, William, who worked as a network news editor and radio announcer, and a mother, Julie, who was a nurse. Raised in River Vale, New Jersey, Maher graduated from Pascack Hills High School in 1974 and furthered his studies at Cornell University, where he double majored in English and history.

After completing his college education in 1978, Maher embarked on his career as a comedian and actor. He landed a hosting position at the Catch a Rising Star comedy club in New York City in 1979, and a few years later, in 1982, he began to make appearances on programs like “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and “Late Show” with David Letterman.

Early Career

Maher made his feature film debut in 1983 with “D.C. Cab.” From the mid-1980s onwards, he also took on limited roles in various television shows, including the sitcom “Sara” (1985), “Max Headroom” (1987), “Murder, She Wrote” (1989, 1990), and “Charlie Hoover” (1991). His film appearances during this time included titles like “Ratboy” (1986), “House II: The Second Story” (1987), “Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death” (1988), “Newhart” (1988), and “Pizza Man” (1991). Additionally, in 1990, he hosted the talk show “Midnight Hour” on CBS.

“Politically Incorrect”

Maher gained widespread recognition as the host of the late-night political talk show “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” which aired on Comedy Central from 1993 to 1997 before moving to ABC from 1997 until 2002. The show typically commenced with a topical monologue from Maher, followed by the introduction of various guests. These guests comprised individuals from diverse backgrounds including entertainment, politics, and media. Together, they engaged in discussions on current topics. “Politically Incorrect” achieved widespread acclaim and garnered several awards throughout its run, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, two CableACE awards for Best Talk Show Series, and a Genesis Award for Best Television Talk Show. Furthermore, Maher was nominated for numerous accolades for his work on the show, receiving 10 Emmy nominations, two TV Guide nominations, and two Writers Guild nominations.

However, after Maher made some controversial remarks just six days following the September 11 attacks, the show faced significant ad revenue losses, leading companies like FedEx and Sears Roebuck to withdraw their advertisements. Consequently, ABC opted not to renew his contract. The show was ultimately canceled on June 16, 2002.

“Real Time”

In 2003, Maher took on the roles of host, co-producer, and co-writer for the new HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher.” The show’s 18th season…premiered on January 19, 2020. While maintaining a format akin to “Politically Incorrect,” it includes a greater emphasis on expert involvement rather than celebrity appearances, featuring figures such as journalists, professors, and politicians discussing current topics. The show “Real Time” has achieved notable success, a testament to its duration on air. Over its run, it has received more than 10 nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and six nominations from the Writers Guild Awards.

Currently, Maher has garnered over 40 nominations for an Emmy Award, securing a win for Outstanding Informational Series or Special for “Vice,” which he executive produced in 2014. In 2005, he was listed as #38 on Comedy Central’s compilation of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2010.

Other Projects and Ventures

Apart from his own television projects, Maher is a regular contributor as a political commentator on various cable news channels. Notably, he frequently appears on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” and both “Hardball with Chris Matthews” and “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC. In addition to this, he has played the role of executive producer for the HBO series “Vice” and collaborated with director Larry Charles to create the documentary “Religulous” (2008). He has released nine comedy specials through HBO, two of which earned Emmy nominations, and he has toured across the United States performing stand-up comedy. In March 2022, Maher premiered his podcast “Club Random,” hosting intimate interviews with guests at his home bar covering a variety of topics beyond politics.

NY Mets Investment

In 2012, Maher acquired a minority stake in the New York Mets, amounting to approximately 4% of the team, a purchase worth around $20 million back then. In 2020, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen acquired the Mets for $2.4 billion. Taking into account the net purchase amount of roughly $2 billion after excluding $350 million in debt, Maher’s full 4% stake netted him an $80 million payday.

Personal Life

Bill Maher has never been married. In 2003, he entered a relationship with former Playboy Cyber Girl Coco Johnsen that lasted 17 months. Following their breakup, Johnsen filed a lawsuit against Maher for $9 million, claiming “pain and suffering” and alleging that he had promised to marry her; however, the lawsuit was dismissed in May 2005. Other women linked romantically to him include best-selling author and former model Karrine Steffans, science educator and journalist Cara Santa Maria, and singer Anjulie Persaud.

He also participates on the advisory boards of various organizations, including Project Reason, which advocates for science and secular values, and NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). Since 1997, he has been a board member of PETA as well.

Real Estate

In January 2020, Maher acquired a condo on Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles for $1 million. On the mainland, he possesses a 3.2-acre property located in the mountains above Beverly Hills, purchased from Ben Affleck in 2003. This property is estimated to be valued at over $20 million.