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 honors Hillary Clinton, Bill Nye, Magic Johnson and others with Medal of Freedom
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.
Who is Bill Nye & Why did He Receive Medal of Freedom?
William Sanford Nye (born November 27, 1955) is an American science communicator, television presenter, and former mechanical engineer.
He is best known as the host of the science education television show Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993–1999) and as a science educator in pop culture.
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.
In 1986, he left Boeing to pursue comedy—writing and performing for the local sketch television show Almost Live!, where he regularly conducted wacky scientific experiments.
President Joe Biden will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
The White House said the recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”