A graduate of Cornell University, Nye began his career as an engineer. In fact, Boeing still uses his hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor today.

Nye, a Cornell University graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, studied under the late astronomer Carl Sagan.

Nye worked for Boeing from 1977 through most of 1980, but left to take a position as a licensed mechanical engineer for the state of Washington.

Nye, a mechanical engineer who once worked for Boeing Co., is best known for his PBS TV science show that ran from 1993 to 1998. He made science entertaining. He still does as a science educator.

Nye is a former Boeing engineer whose name (besides meaning 'new' in Danish) has become synonymous with wacky popular science ever since he became a cast member on KING/5's now defunct late-night comedy show, 'Almost Live.'

Nye grew up in a science-minded family in Washington, D.C. His mom was a math and science whiz. His dad manufactured sundials. His grandfather was an organic scientist. Fittingly, one of young Bill’s favorite hangouts was the original Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which looked like a small Quonset hut.

Nye, who earned a mechanical engineering degree from Cornell University, combined his love of science with his flair for comedy when he won a Steve Martin look-alike contest in Seattle.

Bill Nye is many things: comedian, scientist, author, inventor, TV personality.

Nye developed his character 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' while living in Seattle and working on the comedy show 'Almost Live.'

Nye has won numerous daytime Emmy Awards and has been named outstanding performer in a children's series.

Bill Nye [is] executive director of the Planetary Society, the Pasadena, Calif.-based nonprofit that advocates for space exploration.

His latest television series is called 'Eyes of Nye'" Lately, Nye has focused considerable attention on environmental science.

He eventually quit his day job as an engineer to focus on comedy writing and performing. The decision led to the creation of 'Bill Nye the Science Guy,' which won 28 Emmys in five years. He also won seven national Emmy Awards for writing, performing and producing.

Bill Nye left a lasting impression on youngsters (and their parents) who watched his Emmy Award-winning television show “ Bill Nye the Science Guy” from 1993 to ’97. They saw him explain chemical reactions using steel wool, electricity, oxygen and a balloon, and saw him demonstrate gravity by throwing a watermelon, milk carton, tofu, a lamp, a computer and a TV off a building top.