Editing Bill Prady

{{short description|American television writer and producer (born 1960)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Bill Prady
| image               = Bill Prady by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption             = Prady at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2017
| birth_name          = William Scott Prady<ref>{{cite tweet|user=billprady|author=Bill Prady|number=482528876330237952|date=27 June 2014|title=Re: request to solve a Wikipedia problem: My full name is William Scott Prady, and my date of birth is 6/7/60.}}</ref>
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1960|6|7}}
| birth_place         = [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| spouse              = {{ubl|{{marriage|Kelly Pino|1982|1984|end=div}}|{{marriage|Kirith Bernstein|1997|2016|end=div}}|{{marriage|Jessica Queller|2021}}}}
| occupation          = Writer, television producer
| module              = {{Infobox person
|embed = yes
|years_active = 1984–present}}
}}
'''William Scott Prady''' (born June 7, 1960) is an American [[television]] [[writer]] and [[TV producer|producer]] known for co-creating and producing ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'' (2007–2019) and ''[[The Muppets (TV series)|The Muppets]]'' (2015–2016). He also served as an executive producer on ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'' (1997–2002), ''[[Good Morning, Miami|Good Morning Miami]]'' (2003), and ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'' (1997–2002).

==Early life==
Prady was born in [[Detroit, Michigan]]. He graduated from [[Cranbrook Schools]] in [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan]] and attended [[Wayne State University]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bill Prady |url=https://schools.cranbrook.edu/list-detail?pk=128370 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Cranbrook Schools |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004131847/https://schools.cranbrook.edu/list-detail?pk=128370 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2018-05-15 |title=Wayne State University commencement ceremonies celebrate class of 2022 |url=https://today.wayne.edu/news/2022/04/27/wayne-state-university-commencement-ceremonies-celebrate-class-of-2022-47790 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Today@Wayne |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326070833/https://today.wayne.edu/news/2022/04/27/wayne-state-university-commencement-ceremonies-celebrate-class-of-2022-47790 |url-status=live }}</ref> He dropped out of the university, and moved to [[New York City]] where he worked at a [[RadioShack]]. During this time, he was involved in the creation of the [[FilePro|filePro software for the TRS-80]] [[microcomputer]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Paul |date=2009-02-06 |title=Must-Geek TV |url=https://slate.com/culture/2009/02/is-the-world-ready-for-an-asperger-s-sitcom.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=2024-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224193608/https://slate.com/culture/2009/02/is-the-world-ready-for-an-asperger-s-sitcom.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 

== Career ==
In 1983, Prady was a production assistant for [[The Jim Henson Company]] on a proposed television special centering on the world of technology.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2020-01-16 |title=‘The Big Bang Theory’ Co-Creator Bill Prady Inks First-Look Deal With Netflix |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/big-bang-co-creator-bill-prady-first-look-deal-with-netflix-1202832254/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709042449/https://deadline.com/2020/01/big-bang-co-creator-bill-prady-first-look-deal-with-netflix-1202832254/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When the project failed to come to fruition, Prady stayed with the company and worked in the merchandising department. With the encouragement of [[Jim Henson]], Prady began writing on projects including ''[[Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series]]'' and ''[[The Jim Henson Hour]]'' (on which he was visually caricatured as the puppet [[List of Muppets|Chip]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huver |first=Scott |date=2015-09-22 |title='The Big Bang Theory's' Bill Prady Returns to His Roots With 'The Muppets' |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-big-bang-theorys-bill-prady-returns-to-his-roots-with-the-muppets/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709203424/https://www.cbr.com/the-big-bang-theorys-bill-prady-returns-to-his-roots-with-the-muppets/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2015/05/the-muppets-everything-we-know-so-far.html|work=Vulture|title=Everything We Know So Far about the Muppets|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015|archive-date=May 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514015349/http://www.vulture.com/2015/05/the-muppets-everything-we-know-so-far.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, Prady received an Emmy-award nomination for co-writing ''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]]''. He wrote the [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts|Disney theme park]] attractions ''[[Muppet*Vision 3D]]'' and ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Audience]].''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Asteroid |date=2018-06-04 |title=Bill Prady |url=https://asteroidday.org/people/bill-prady/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Asteroid Day |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709203422/https://asteroidday.org/people/bill-prady/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1995, Prady joined the writing staff of the HBO series ''[[Dream On (TV series)|Dream On]]''. In 1997, he joined the writing staff of ''[[Dharma & Greg]]'', rising to executive producer and taking over as [[showrunner]] in 2001. He also served as a writer and producer on ''[[Good Morning, Miami]]'', ''[[Caroline in the City]]'', ''[[Related]]'', ''[[Platypus Man]]'' and ''[[Gilmore Girls]]''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=creativecoalition |date=2021-02-03 |title=Bill Prady |url=https://thecreativecoalition.org/bill-prady/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=The Creative Coalition |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515055155/https://thecreativecoalition.org/bill-prady/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2007, Prady co-created the CBS sitcom ''[[The Big Bang Theory]],'' on which he served as executive producer for the show’s 12-season run.<ref name=":0" />

In 2012, Prady joined the [[University of Southern California]] as an adjunct faculty member in its [[USC School of Cinematic Arts|cinematic arts school]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=They Wrote Their Love Story While Scripting Others - The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/29/style/bill-prady-jessica-queller-wedding.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=web.archive.org |archive-date=2021-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109161642/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/29/style/bill-prady-jessica-queller-wedding.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> In April 2015, it was announced that [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] had picked up Prady's pilot presentation for a new version of ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' with [[Bob Kushell]] attached as showrunner.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=May 9, 2012 |title='Muppets' Revived at ABC With 'Big Bang Theory' Co-Creator |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-revived-at-abc-big-786193 |access-date=April 3, 2015 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405185857/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/muppets-revived-at-abc-big-786193 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2020, Prady signed a first-look deal with [[Netflix]] to develop scripted series for the streamer. In 2022, he entered a similar agreement with [[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television]] to develop scripted programming under his production company Pine Tree Entertainment.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2022-06-14 |title=‘Big Bang Theory’s’ Bill Prady, Chris Sanagustin’s Pine Tree Entertainment Sets Warner Bros. TV First-Look Deal |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/big-bang-theorys-bill-prady-chris-sanagustins-pine-tree-entertainment-sets-warner-bros-tv-first-look-deal-1235293732/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710051706/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/big-bang-theorys-bill-prady-chris-sanagustins-pine-tree-entertainment-sets-warner-bros-tv-first-look-deal-1235293732/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

==Personal life==
Prady is [[Jewish]] and is on the [[autism spectrum]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2 February 2021 |title=Bill Prady: Origins of Sheldon. Neurodiversity & Sensory Overload |url=https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/watch-podcast/big-bang-creator-is-basically-sheldon |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=[[Mayim Bialik]]'s Breakdown |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125164711/https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/watch-podcast/big-bang-creator-is-basically-sheldon |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Influence-Of-Jewish-Characters-In-Seinfeld-FCWX9ST3TR | title=The Influence of Jewish Characters in Seinfeld and Israel &#124; Bartleby | access-date=2023-01-31 | archive-date=2023-01-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131182018/https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Influence-Of-Jewish-Characters-In-Seinfeld-FCWX9ST3TR | url-status=live }}</ref> 

Prady was one of 135 candidates who ran for [[Governor of California]] in the [[2003 California gubernatorial recall election|2003 recall election]], receiving [[2003 California gubernatorial recall election#Results|474 votes]], tying him for 111th place.<ref>{{cite web |date=2003 |title=Special Election - Statement of the Vote |url=http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2003-special/sov-complete.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107231426/https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2003-special/sov-complete.pdf |archive-date=2018-11-07 |access-date=2015-11-17}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=2003-09-28 |title=The Personal Is the Antipolitical |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/magazine/the-personal-is-the-antipolitical.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710014947/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/28/magazine/the-personal-is-the-antipolitical.html |archive-date=2024-07-10 |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2010, Prady was given honorary membership in the [[Royal Canadian Institute|Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-royal-canadian-institute-for-the-advancement-of-science-bestows-honorary-memberships-to-the-big-bang-theory-creators-chuck-lorre-and-bill-prady-104488129.html |title=The Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science Bestows Honorary Memberships to The Big Bang Theory Creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady |work=prnewswire.com |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160358/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-royal-canadian-institute-for-the-advancement-of-science-bestows-honorary-memberships-to-the-big-bang-theory-creators-chuck-lorre-and-bill-prady-104488129.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2013, Prady was awarded [[NASA]]'s [[Exceptional Public Achievement Medal]].<ref>{{cite web|year=2013|title=2013 Agency Honor Awards|url=https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/2013_Agency_Honor_Awards_Brochure.pdf?rhid=1000&did=1626944&type=released|access-date=August 16, 2015|work=NASA|page=38|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007215542/https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/2013_Agency_Honor_Awards_Brochure.pdf?rhid=1000&did=1626944&type=released|url-status=live}}</ref> He has served as a trustee of the [[Humanitas Prize]] "New Voices" program.<ref>{{cite web |year=2015 |title=Our Board of Trustees: Bill Prady |url=http://humanitasprize.info/welcome/?page_id=938 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809170129/http://humanitasprize.info/welcome/?page_id=938 |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=August 16, 2015 |work=The Humanitas Prize}}</ref> In 2022, Prady was awarded the degree of [[Doctor of Humane Letters]] ''honoris causa'' by [[Wayne State University]].<ref name=":1" />

In 2020, Prady appeared in a small cameo role in ''[[Bill & Ted Face the Music]]''.<ref name=":5" />

==Filmography==

=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year(s)
!Production
!Role
|-
|1993
|''[[Billy Bunny's Animal Songs]]''
| rowspan="2" |Writer; direct-to-video film
|-
|1994
|''[[Muppet Classic Theater]]''
|-
|1995
|''[[Here Come the Munsters]]''
|Writer; television film<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here Come the Munsters (1995) - Munsterland |url=https://www.munsterland.net/hctm.html |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.munsterland.net |archive-date=2023-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926143712/http://www.munsterland.net/hctm.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|2020
|''[[Bill & Ted Face the Music]]''
|Scientist #1<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Threads |url=https://www.threads.net/@billprady/post/C70Ls7WPkKJ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.threads.net |archive-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709205414/https://www.threads.net/@billprady/post/C70Ls7WPkKJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year(s)
!Production
!Role
|-
|1985–1986
|''[[You Can't Do That On Television]]''
| rowspan="5" |Writer<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=THE COSBY SHOW |url=https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/cosby-show |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=www.wga.org |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709203422/https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-best-written-tv-series/cosby-show |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|1987
|''[[Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series]]''
|-
|1989
|''[[The Jim Henson Hour]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" |1990
|''[[The Cosby Show]]''
|-
|''[[The Magical World of Disney]]''
|-
|''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]]''
|Writer; television special<ref name=":3" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |1991
|''[[Married... with Children]]''
| rowspan="2" |Writer<ref name=":3" />
|-
|''[[The Carol Burnett Show]]''
|-
|1995
|''[[Platypus Man]]''
|Writer, episode: "Lower East Side Story"
|-
|1994–1996
|''[[Dream On (TV series)|Dream On]]''
|Writer, story editor, producer<ref name=":3" />
|-
|1995–1997
|''[[Caroline in the City]]''
|Writer, producer<ref name=":3" />
|-
|1999
|''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
|Writer
|-
|1997–2002
|''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
| rowspan="2" |Writer, executive producer<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
|-
|2003
|''[[Good Morning, Miami]]''
|-
|2004–2005
|''[[Gilmore Girls]]''
| rowspan="2" |Writer, co-executive producer<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2005
|''[[Related]]''
|-
|2006
|''[[Two and a Half Men]]''
|Writer<ref name=":2" />
|-
|2007–2019
|''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''
|Creator, writer, executive producer
|-
|2015–2016
|''[[The Muppets (TV series)|The Muppets]]''
|Creator, executive producer, writer
|-
|2017–2021
|''[[Young Sheldon]]''
|Executive consultant, consulting producer
|}

==Awards and nominations==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Program
! scope="col" | Result
|-
| 1989
| rowspan="2" | [[WGA Award]]
| rowspan="2" | Outstanding Achievement: Variety, Musical, Award, Tribute or Special Event
| ''[[Miss Piggy]]’s Hollywood''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1990
| ''[[The Earth Day Special]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1991
| [[CableACE Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming
| ''The Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Children ''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1991
| [[WGA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement: Variety, Musical, Award, Tribute or Special Event
| rowspan="2" | ''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]] ''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1991
| [[Emmy Award]]
| Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1996
| rowspan="2" | [[People's Choice Awards|The People's Choice Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | Favorite New Television Comedy Series
| ''[[Caroline in the City]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1998
| rowspan="4" | ''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 1998
| rowspan="2" | [[Golden Globe Award]]
| rowspan="2" | Best Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1999
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1999
| [[WGA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement: Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2009
| [[TCA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
| rowspan="24" | ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 2009
| [[Satellite Award]]
| Best Television Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2010
| [[Golden Globe Award]]
| Best Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2010
| [[People's Choice Awards|The People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Television Comedy Series
| {{won}}
|-
| 2010
| [[TCA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| [[Emmy Award]]
| Outstanding Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| [[People's Choice Awards|The People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Television Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| [[Producers Guild of America Award]]
| Outstanding Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2011
| [[1st Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| Best Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[Satellite Award]]
| Best Television Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{won}}
|-
| 2012
| [[TCA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[Monte-Carlo Television Festival]]
| Outstanding International Producer
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[Emmy Award]]
| rowspan="2" | Outstanding Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[Producers Guild of America Award]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[2nd Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| Best Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2012
| [[Golden Globe Award]]
| Best Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2013
| [[People's Choice Awards|The People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Television Comedy Series
| {{won}}
|-
| 2013
| [[3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards|Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| Best Comedy Series
| {{won}}
|-
| 2013
| [[TCA Award]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
| {{won}}
|-
| 2013
| [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| Choice Award: Best Comedy
| {{nominated}}
|-
| 2013
| [[Monte-Carlo Television Festival]]
| International TV Audience Award
| {{won}}
|-
| 2013
| [[Emmy Award]]
| Outstanding Comedy Series
| {{nominated}}
|-
| 2013
| [[Golden Globe Award]]
| Best Series: Musical or Comedy
| {{nominated}}
|-
| 2014
| [[People's Choice Awards|The People's Choice Awards]]
| Favorite Television Comedy Series
| {{won}}
|-
| 2022
| [[Drama League Award]]
| Outstanding Production of a Play
| ''[[Dana H.]]''
| {{nominated}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|695080}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prady, Bill}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:2020 United States presidential electors]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American showrunners]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]
[[Category:Cranbrook Educational Community alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Southfield, Michigan]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Michigan]]
[[Category:Television producers from Michigan]]
[[Category:Television show creators]]
[[Category:Wayne State University alumni]]
[[Category:Writers with autism]]