He's known to a generation of American kids as "Bill Nye the Science Guy."
Now he has stepped into the debate about evolution with an online video that encourages parents who believe in creationism not to pass those beliefs on to their children.
The star of the popular 1990s children's TV show says he is upset by recent efforts in some states to insert promotion of creationist beliefs into science classrooms. Both Louisiana and Tennessee have laws protecting teachers who criticize evolution.
The 56-year-old says that creationist beliefs are more widespread in the U.S. than in most other countries and they threaten future scientific innovation.