Most Famous Bills in the World

The name Bill has traveled across stages, screens, studios, and arenas for decades, attached to artists and creators who helped shape film, television, music, and comedy. From chart-topping songwriters and boundary-pushing directors to beloved character actors and household-name presenters, these Bills left fingerprints on popular culture that still show up in playlists, marathons, and memes.

Below is a friendly, straight-shooting tour of some of the most widely recognized celebrities named Bill. You’ll find concise snapshots of their careers, signature projects, awards, and industry impact, with titles placed in single quotes so you can scan for favorites quickly and easily.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray is an actor and comedian known for a run of era-defining films that includes ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘Groundhog Day’, ‘Lost in Translation’, and frequent collaborations with Wes Anderson such as ‘Rushmore’ and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. He began with Chicago’s Second City and ‘Saturday Night Live’ before building a filmography that spans deadpan comedy, dry drama, and unexpected cameos.

Murray’s performances have earned major honors, including a lead actor Golden Globe for ‘Lost in Translation’ and numerous ensemble awards. He has also been a steady presence in independent cinema and animation, voicing characters in projects like ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ and ‘Isle of Dogs’ while remaining a go-to figure for directors seeking understated wit.

Bill Withers

Bill Withers was a singer-songwriter behind enduring soul standards like ‘Lean on Me’, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, ‘Lovely Day’, and ‘Just the Two of Us’. He recorded a concise catalog that became a cornerstone for pop, R&B, and hip-hop sampling, with songs frequently used in films, television, and public events.

Withers earned multiple Grammy Awards and later inductions into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His straightforward storytelling and warm baritone influenced generations of artists, and his recordings continue to chart on streaming platforms and appear on greatest-songs lists worldwide.

Bill Nighy

Bill Nighy is a British actor acclaimed for roles ranging from romantic comedy to prestige drama, including ‘Love Actually’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘About Time’, and ‘Living’. His stage background includes extensive work with the National Theatre, which sharpened the precise delivery and subtle humor that define many of his screen performances.

Nighy has received major awards and nominations across film and television, with honors from BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination for ‘Living’. He also lends his voice to animation and video games, broadening his reach to younger audiences while continuing to anchor character-driven films.

Bill Hader

Bill Hader is an actor, writer, and director who broke out on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and went on to create, star in, write, and direct the dark comedy series ‘Barry’. His work blends sharp character work with cinematic storytelling, drawing on his background as a production assistant and his deep knowledge of film.

Hader’s television work has earned multiple Emmy Awards, including wins for acting and directing on ‘Barry’. Beyond television, he appears in films like ‘Superbad’, ‘Trainwreck’, and ‘The Skeleton Twins’, and he is an in-demand voice actor for animated features and series.

Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård is a Swedish actor known internationally for playing Pennywise in ‘It’ and for roles in projects such as ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’, ‘Barbarian’, and the series ‘Hemlock Grove’. He comes from a family of actors and has worked across European and American productions.

Skarsgård’s portrayal of complex, often unsettling characters has led to high-profile casting across genres, including horror, action, and thriller films. He balances franchise work with smaller, auteur-driven projects, adding range through independent cinema and limited series like ‘Clark’.

Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman is an American actor recognized for leads and supporting roles across drama, comedy, and sci-fi, including ‘Independence Day’, ‘While You Were Sleeping’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, and ‘The Sinner’. He trained in theater and taught at the university level before transitioning to screen work.

Pullman’s career includes recurring television roles and stage performances on Broadway and in regional theaters. He continues to alternate between film, TV, and theater, maintaining a steady presence as a versatile performer with a mix of mainstream blockbusters and character-driven stories.

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton was an actor and director whose credits include ‘Aliens’, ‘Twister’, ‘Titanic’, and the HBO series ‘Big Love’. He began in set design and small roles before becoming a frequent collaborator with directors like James Cameron, earning a reputation for memorable characters across action and drama.

Paxton also directed the psychological thriller ‘Frailty’, which drew strong critical attention for its craftsmanship. His television work garnered major award nominations, and his filmography continues to be revisited for its range and for his ability to ground large-scale stories in human stakes.

Bill Nye

Bill Nye is a science communicator and mechanical engineer best known for the educational series ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ and later projects like ‘Bill Nye Saves the World’ and ‘The End Is Nye’. He uses demonstrations and humor to make scientific concepts accessible to broad audiences.

Beyond television, Nye leads and supports science advocacy initiatives on climate, space exploration, and STEM education. He served as CEO of The Planetary Society and regularly appears on news and talk shows to explain complex topics in plain language.

Bill Burr

Bill Burr is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer behind comedy specials distributed on major platforms and the animated series ‘F Is for Family’. His podcasting work, including the long-running ‘Monday Morning Podcast’, built a large audience that helped fuel touring and streaming success.

Burr has appeared in series like ‘The Mandalorian’ and films such as ‘The King of Staten Island’, expanding from stand-up into dramatic and comedic acting. He also directs and produces projects, moving between stage, screen, and audio with a body of work that blends observational humor with storytelling.

Bill Evans

Bill Evans was a jazz pianist and composer whose harmonic innovations shaped modern jazz piano. He gained wide notice for his work with Miles Davis on ‘Kind of Blue’ and for trio recordings such as ‘Waltz for Debby’ and ‘Sunday at the Village Vanguard’.

Evans’s approach to voicing, rhythm, and interplay influenced countless pianists and ensembles, and his compositions are standards in jazz education and performance. He received multiple Grammy Awards, and his recordings remain essential listening for students and aficionados of the genre.

Bill Wyman

Bill Wyman is best known as the longtime bassist for The Rolling Stones, contributing to classic albums and tours during the band’s global ascent. His lines underpin many of the group’s most recognizable tracks, and he also recorded solo material outside the band.

After leaving The Rolling Stones, Wyman formed Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, focusing on rhythm and blues with a rotating lineup of notable musicians. He has authored books on music and photography, adding archival and historical work to his creative output.

Bill Condon

Bill Condon is a filmmaker and screenwriter known for ‘Gods and Monsters’, ‘Dreamgirls’, and Disney’s live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’. He has directed musicals, dramas, and franchise projects, demonstrating range across studio and independent filmmaking.

Condon won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for ‘Gods and Monsters’ and received additional nominations for screenwriting. His work on ‘Dreamgirls’ earned widespread recognition, and he has directed stage productions and awards broadcasts alongside his film career.

Bill Lawrence

Bill Lawrence is a television creator and producer behind series such as ‘Scrubs’, ‘Spin City’, ‘Cougar Town’, and ‘Ted Lasso’. He started as a writer on network comedies and became known for ensemble casts, fast pacing, and character-driven humor.

His shows have received numerous industry awards, with ‘Ted Lasso’ earning top honors that highlighted its writing and performances. Lawrence continues to develop new series while overseeing ongoing productions through his production banner.

Bill Melendez

Bill Melendez was an animator, director, and voice actor best known for the Peanuts specials, including ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’, ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’, and ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’. He provided the voices for Snoopy and Woodstock, using expressive vocalizations rather than dialogue.

Melendez began his career at major studios before establishing his own company to produce television specials and commercials. His Peanuts work earned top industry awards and helped set the standard for family animation on television, with the specials airing annually and reaching new generations.

Share your favorite Bills—and the roles, songs, or episodes you love most—in the comments!