One of the greatest television sitcoms in history, The Big Bang Theory is a cultural phenomenon. With over 46 Emmy Award Nominations, 7 of which they won, the talented cast and crew took the TV world by storm. The on-screen chemistry between the actors is a thing of beauty, and they all seem to naturally fit their characters. Thanks to these factors, TBBT gained worldwide popularity despite having a slow start.
The show is so iconic that it catapulted the careers of the main cast to stardom. Some people are wondering if their characters were derived from their real-life personas. Well, just sit back and relax as we dissect the difference between the characters and the actual personalities of the show’s biggest stars. Keep an eye out for your favorite character!
Sheldon Cooper
A legendary character with an iconic catchphrase, Sheldon Cooper is a national treasure. Sheldon’s character is the true definition of being a nerd. A boy genius and child prodigy, he earned a Ph.D. at age sixteen. However, despite having a high IQ, he has a hard time socializing with regular people.
Throughout the series, Sheldon brags about his intelligence and achievements, which never fails to annoy the people around him. He brought a new level of charm to being stubborn and quirky. Who would have thought that this kind of character could be the face of a successful sitcom? Bazinga!
Portrayed by: Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons does share some similarities with the character he portrayed on the show. After graduating high school, Parsons then earned a degree in theater from the University of Houston. However, that wasn’t enough. He was focused on honing his craft, which triggered him to enroll in graduate school at the University of San Diego.
Parsons’ family has a background in education as both his mom and sister are teachers. The difference between Jim and Sheldon is, Jim doesn’t have any problem socializing. Actually, he is a proponent of the LGBTQ community and married long-time partner Todd Spiewak in 2017. In addition, he was named the highest-paid actor in television, earning $900,000 per episode.
Leonard Hofstadter
The great Leonard Hofstadter. A genius in his own right. An experimental physicist who received his Ph.D. at the age of 24. Leonard’s character complements that of Sheldon’s, making their chemistry great on the show. Both of them are whiz kids and virtuosos in their fields.
During the early installments of the show, Leonard is in denial about his feelings and having a hard time winning over Penny, their new neighbor. As the season progresses, he is able to muster his confidence, allowing him to get closer to Penny.
Portrayed by: John Galecki
Behind the character of Leonard Hofstadter is an even more interesting man. John Galecki isn’t new to showbiz as he made some movie appearances during his teen years. From the slapstick comedy, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, to the horror film, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Galecki is a certified box office hit. After three years of doing movies, he ventured into TV sitcoms, and we all know what happened from there.
Galecki has a mixture of Polish, Irish, and Italian descent, but his nationality is American. He and co-star Kaley Cuoco, who portrayed Penny on the show, dated in real life. Unfortunately, it only lasted two years. Despite that, they still remain good friends (as confirmed by Cuoco). Galecki is the second-highest-paid actor in television, trailing only Parsons. We imagine Sheldon would see this as appropriate!
Kunal Nayyar
The wealthiest member of the group, Rajesh Koothrappali is also a particle astrophysicist. This is why the shy fellow was able to befriend Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard. The hardest aspect of his life is his inability to talk to ladies.
Slowly but surely, Raj was able to overcome his anxiety with the help of his friends, especially his best friend Howard. Even Penny helped, and what happened next surprised everybody. More often than not, Raj is the subject of cringe-worthy and awkward moments.
Portrayed by: Kunal Nayyar
Raj might not be successful with his love life on the show, but he is winning in real life. Kunal Nayyar didn’t just date anybody; he is married to Neha Kapur Nayyar – actress, fashion designer, and former beauty queen. What would Raj think of that?
Like the actors responsible for the other core characters, Kunal has been on every episode of the show. According to reports, he was earning $750,000 per episode at the end of the show. Unlike Jim Parsons and John Galecki, Kunal started late with his acting career. His initial plan was to get a business degree at the University of Portland, but fate had other plans for him.
Penny Hofstadter
The pride of Omaha, Nebraska, and an aspiring (but struggling) actress, Penny Hofstadter is the female lead of the show. Penny’s pursuit of being in the spotlight has been highlighted all throughout the series. Unfortunately, fate was unkind to Penny, which led to her becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative instead of fulfilling her dream of being an actress.
Penny is also Sheldon’s and Leonard’s neighbor. Their first encounter is awkward, to say the least, as both guys aren’t comfortable socializing, especially with a beautiful woman like Penny. From the get-go, Penny is intrigued with Leonard. Those who’ve seen season 9 know how their romance worked out!
Portrayed by: Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco started doing movies at the age of seven. By the time she reached her teen years, she had already made five movies and four TV sitcom appearances. She made a name for herself in 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter. However, her career really took off when she joined the cast of The Big Bang Theory.
Like Jim Parsons and John Galecki, Kaley was earning around $900,000 per episode, which made her the highest-paid actress on TV. She eventually married Karl Cook whom she met at a horse racing event.
Howard Wolowitz
Although he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an aerospace engineer, Howard Wolowitz does not hold a doctorate. This makes him the odd one out among his friends. Howard is also Jewish, and his tyrannical mother treats him like a baby.
Unlike his friends, Howard is actually a confident man. Indeed, he’s often a little too confident, seeing himself as a womanizer (which usually backfires). Women in the show tend to perceive Howard as a creep. Though he’s a notorious spendthrift, he also wastes his money buying toys. Eventually, Howard finds love with Bernadette.
Portrayed by: Simon Helberg
In real life, Simon Helberg is far different from his character on the show. He is not a creep and definitely not a womanizer. Helberg has done more than 25 TV projects, but like his co-stars, TBBT is his crowning glory. His most recent project was with award-winning actors Hugh Grant and Merryl Streep.
Helberg was also earning $750,000 per episode, which is lower than some of his co-stars. However, it is still a big amount, and we are pretty sure that he was happy with it. Helberg is married to actress Jocelyn Towne. The couple welcomed their first child, Adeline, on May 8, 2012.
Emily Sweeney
Emily Sweeney graduated from Harvard but has a creepy and questionable sense of humor. Emily’s day job is as a dermatologist, and according to her, she likes her job as she enjoys cutting into things with a knife. Originally, Emily was set up on a blind date with Howard. However, Raj took matters into his own hands and the two created an unexpected relationship.
At this point, Raj evolved from having selective mutism to being a ladies’ man. They had an exclusive relationship that eventually ended. Raj broke up with Emily and both moved forward.
Portrayed by: Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer is living life to the fullest. While some actors are having a hard time landing a job, Spencer was able to land roles simultaneously on The Big Bang Theory and Bones. Spencer is known as an outgoing and versatile actress.
Spencer’s passion for acting is evident in her work. Not only does she star in films and TV sitcoms, but she also does web series as well. Spencer has a wide fandom, but sorry to tell you guys, she has been married for two years (and counting).
Amy Farrah Fowler
The only person who was ever able to break down some of Sheldon’s walls, Amy Farrah Fowler is severely underrated on this show. Amy is also a Harvard alum, having earned a doctorate in neurobiology. She was introduced to the group by Raj and Howard when they found her on a dating site.
Amy became the self-proclaimed best friend of Penny. Like Sheldon, Amy has a hard time mingling with others. However, with the help of Penny and Bernadette, she was able to open her eyes to life’s opportunities and try new things. Sheldon’s first encounter with Amy might have been awkward, but in the end, they were made for each other.
Portrayed by: Mayim Bialik
She’s not as quirky as her on-screen character, but in real life, Mayim Bialik is just as brilliant as Amy Farrah Fowler. She started her career way back in the ’80s and has since done voiceover work for more than 10 TV shows. However, she took a step back to pursue a degree. She’s not only an actress by profession but also a respected neuroscientist.
Mayim Bialik’s brilliance doesn’t stop there. She is also a well-respected author, having published a vegan cookbook and a myriad of books about parenting.
Bernadette Wolowitz
Do not be fooled by her small stature and high-pitched voice as Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz is one tough cookie. She’s not as weird as Emily, but she does have a short temper. Bernadette is a co-worker of Penny’s at the Cheesecake Factory, and she’s taken the job to pay her way through graduate school.
Bernadette earned her Ph.D. and was introduced to Howard. It is no secret that the two didn’t get along at the start. Despite their differences, love found a way to soften their hearts. Indeed, Bernadette did more than win Howard’s heart. She managed to convince him to move out of his mom’s house!
Portrayed by: Melissa Rauch
The pride of Marlboro Township, New Jersey, Melissa Rauch was made to play the role of Bernadette Wolowitz. She’d already appeared in a few film and television projects, but her career skyrocketed when she landed her role in The Big Bang Theory.
A quick bit of trivia about Melissa: During the eleventh season, she announced her pregnancy, which triggered the showrunners to rewrite the script. Rauch is married to her long-time partner Winston Beigel. Today, she is a full-time mom and has a new TV series lined up. Keep an eye out for her upcoming show.
Mrs. Koothrappali
Mrs. Koothrappali’s character is short-lived but memorable. As Raj’s mother, she played an integral part in his life. Despite being divorced from her ex-husband, Dr. Koothrapali, Raj’s mother still urged her son Raj to find a woman to marry. However, she soon learned that this would be harder than expected as Raj suffers from anxiety.
Mrs. Koothrappali only appears here and there throughout the sessions in video chats. However, it is evident that she is living lavishly. To this day, nobody knows Mrs. Koothrappali’s full name, and it's a shame that the show didn’t reveal it.
Portrayed by: Alice Amter
Alice Amter, the actress who portrayed Mrs. Koothrappali, may be considered a hodophile (travel lover). Having traveled all over the world. from one country to another, she is living her life to the fullest. According to reports, she has already traveled to England, France, Germany, Japan, and of course the United States.
Amter decided to settle in LA to start her acting career. However, unlike her co-stars, her career isn’t flourishing. We’re sure she’ll make her mark soon, though, as it’s clear she’s got talent. The original plan was for her character to appear in one episode only. To the showrunners' surprise, the Koothrapalis were a hit with fans, which inspired them to bring the characters back regularly.
Stuart Bloom
Stuart Bloom is a comic book store owner in the show. Apart from that, he is also a graduate of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design. An adept artist who struggles financially, his comic book store became a favorite hangout place for the guys. As the series progressed, he was welcomed into the group.
Stuart didn’t just get close to the boys. At different points, he dated Penny and Amy. When Howard was sent to space, he took full responsibility for taking care of Mrs. Wolowitz.
Portrayed by: Kevin Sussman
Kevin Sussman has been in show business for two decades. His common roles are that of a geek or a nerd. He was also tapped to do numerous commercials for big companies such as FedEx.
Sussman may be considered a central character by fans, but his paycheck for the show didn’t reflect this. He had one of the lowest paychecks, but it was still bigger than his previous projects. He isn’t currently active but is probably content with what he made over the years he spent on TBBT.
Barry Kripke
Barry is that character we love to hate. Seriously, how many fans have called this character out due to his rudeness towards Sheldon and Leonard? There was not a day in which Barry failed to humiliate and embarrass the boys, especially poor Sheldon. Academically brilliant though he may be, Barry sure knows how to rub people the wrong way.
Barry has a speech impediment called rhotacism. He is also subject to some of the harshest jokes from Sheldon, Leonard, and their workmates. However, Barry doesn’t have any problem jabbing right back.
Portrayed by: John Ross Bowie
John Ross Bowie’s character in The Big Bang Theory was a straight-up bully, but In real life, he is a nice guy. Bowie is also big on sketch comedy and writes his own material. If he looks familiar, Bowie made an appearance in He's Just Not That Into You and Speechless.
Currently, he isn’t that active in film or TV. Instead, he is busy pursuing his dream as a sketch comedy artist. His role might not have been that big, but it was more than enough to make the fans of the show call him out. Bowie was also part of a band called Egghead.
Mary Cooper
A dependable voice of reason, especially when Sheldon is out of control, Mary Cooper made her mark on the show. A devout born-again Christian, she will do anything and everything to see her “Shelly '' happy.
Although her lectures are sometimes exaggerated, it was not difficult for the boys to feel comfortable with Sheldon’s mom. She isn’t a mainstay on the show, but she has been mentioned in every season of The Big Bang Theory.
Portrayed by: Laurie Metcalf
Laurie Metcalf was a household name already, even prior to joining the cast of The Big Bang Theory. With over four decades in showbiz, she’s done it all. A decorated and true practitioner of her art form, she is a living legend. She is renowned for her role in the hit 80s-90s series, Roseanne.
Although she reprised her role as Jackie Harris on Roseanne, Metcalf doesn’t seem to be that active in showbiz anymore. Nonetheless, Metcalf has nothing to prove as she is already an icon in her own right.
Dr. Beverly Hofstadter
Though many fans liked Sheldon’s mom, few were fans of Dr. Beverly Hofstadter. There’s a big difference between Mrs. Cooper and Dr. Beverly Hofstadter. Instead of seeing the good in her son Leonard, she tends to discount his accomplishments.
It's ironic, to say the least, that despite her being a psychiatrist and writing books about parenting, she still doesn’t give Leonard the attention he deserves. More often than not, she chose to boost Sheldon’s ego. As if he needed help in that department!
Portrayed by: Christine Baranski
A veteran in the industry and 15-time Emmy Award nominee, Christine Baranski is indeed a superstar. A product of the prestigious Julliard School, she had already cemented her name prior to joining TBBT. A versatile actress who starred in multiple film genres, she is also a two-time Tony Award winner.
Baranski is far different from her character, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter. She is easy to work with, very approachable, and a willing mentor who’s more than happy to help artists who are just starting their careers.
Wil Wheaton
The arch-enemy of Sheldon Cooper, Wil Wheaton playing himself is a thing of beauty. He first appeared in season three when Sheldon joined a tournament to confront Wheaton. Wil plays a menacing version of himself, using his fame to win people over.
However, Wil Wheaton had a change of heart during season five, finally befriending Sheldon and the boys. He even accepted a role in a terrible movie with Penny. Of course, this ended in disaster!
Portrayed by: Wil Wheaton
Is there a difference between Wil Wheaton in real life and Wil Wheaton in The Big Bang Theory? Not really. Since he played himself, almost all of the characteristics he displayed in the sitcom are taken from who he is in real life. They only exaggerated one thing in the series: his dark side.
Wheaton landed influential roles in Star Trek: Next Generation and Stand By Me during his heyday. Now, he is trying to venture into other things. A computer and technology devotee, Wheaton is enjoying his life.
Priya Koothrappali
Raj’s family really has great genes. I mean, just look at his younger sister, Priya Koothrappali. Compared to their parents, she has a more prominent role and screen time on the show. Raj’s younger sister is a law student, and when she was introduced to the group, things got a little bit complicated.
Raj wasn’t aware that his sister was in a relationship with Leonard. However, it was short-lived as their parents did not support the union. Priya was forced to go back to India which closed the book on the relationship between her and Leonard.
Portrayed by: Aarti Mann
Aarti Mann’s character was only intended to appear for a few episodes. However, due to popular demand, Mann established herself as an emerging character on the show. Apart from landing a role in The Big Bang Theory, she also enjoyed roles in Scandal, Suits, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Manns’ parents wanted her to study medicine, but she had other plans. She was hesitant at first to pursue her dream of studying theatre, but with the support of her siblings, Mann made the choices that led her to The Big Bang Theory.
Bert Kibbler
The lovely yet socially awkward Bert Kibbler had a long-lasting impact on the show. Upon meeting Amy in CalTech, he developed an infatuation with her. As the series progresses, Bert knows Amy and Sheldon are dating, but Sheldon isn’t aware that Bert likes Amy.
As a geologist, Bert is an expert at making rock puns. Probably the best scene from his time in The Big Bang Theory is when he won the MacArthur Fellowship award over Sheldon.
Portrayed by: Brian Posehn
Brian Posehn is a gentle giant, to say the least. He is an actor, a writer, and a musician. His roles in TV may have been small, but his energy and impact can’t be missed. Posehn also has a band called Relapse Records.
Posehn is still acting and he does voiceover work as well. He also co-wrote The Last Christmas with Gerry Duggan. The comic book was published by Image Comics.
Dr. V. M. Koothrappali
The male equivalent of Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, Dr. Koothrappali is a renowned gynecologist in New Delhi, India. He’s also Raj’s father, and he isn’t a big fan of his son's accomplishments. Like his ex-wife, the majority of the time, Dr. V.M. Koothrappali appears via video chat.
It's amazing how many characters were slated to do one appearance but got extended due to the reaction from fans. Dr. Koothrappali is one of them. Although he tends to give his son the cold shoulder, he is beloved by the audience.
Portrayed by: Brian George
Brian George isn’t a household name, but every project or part that was given to him creates a lasting impression. George has the reputation of taking any role seriously. With over 20 films and 30 TV series appearances, George has done it all.
Though he has a talent for making TV and film roles his own, George has branched out into other aspects of the entertainment industry. He has done more than 50 voiceovers for video games such as the Diablo series, Star Wars, and Kingdom Hearts.
Leslie Winkle
With her no-nonsense approach to Sheldon, Leslie Winkle made a massive impact on the show. In some ways, she is the female version of Leonard. The only difference is, Leslie is rude and enjoys mocking Sheldon. She and Leonard briefly dated, but their fling didn’t last long.
All the minor characters in The Big Bang Theory have a different impact on the show. The last time we saw Leslie was during Sheldon’s birthday party which was the 200th episode.
Portrayed by: Sara Gilbert
Oddly enough, more than one cast member on the show is connected to the sitcom Roseanne. Sara Gilbert is one of them. She was known for her role as Darlene, and yes, she once dated John Galecki when they were teenagers.
Gilbert created and co-hosted The Talk on CBS but made headlines when she came out in 2010. There were a lot of questions regarding her decision to come out at that time, but she refused to discuss this personal matter any further.
Zack Johnson
For some reason, many fans consider Zack Johnson to be Leonard’s nemesis. Although Zach and Penny were once married, it ended up getting annulled. The only reason they tied the knot was that they thought the ceremony wasn’t real.
Due to his looks, he is beloved by fans. Zack is yet another character who was originally planned to do a short stint but ended up with a few more appearances. Ultimately, his last appearance was when his marriage to Penny was annulled.
Portrayed by: Brian Thomas Smith
Brian Thomas Smith's most memorable TV role was on The Big Bang Theory, but he also appeared on Amazing Race. Smith has mostly done commercial acting throughout his career for brands like Taco Bell, Carl's Jr, Honda, and Buick.
He has some minor roles on other sitcoms, but none of them were as memorable as his time on The Big Bang Theory. Smith is a private person and enjoys his family life.
Lucy
If the girl version of Leonard is Leslie, then the girl version of Raj is definitely Lucy. Lucy doesn’t have selective mutism, but she is over the top in her social awkwardness. Unlike Raj, who initially had to use his best friend Howard to talk to women, Lucy always tried her very best to overcome her social issues.
Lucy and Raj briefly dated, but she broke up with him because he was “too overbearing.” She broke up with him over a text message because he wanted her to meet his friends, which was too much pressure for her.
Portrayed by: Kate Micucci
Kate Micucci is no Lucy in real life. After her appearance on TBBT, Micucci turned her talents to voice acting in several animated series and films. She is famous for voicing Velma in many Scooby-Doo specials.
Another significant voice role that she landed was in The Lego Batman Movie as Clayface. In 2018, she married record producer and musician Jake Sinclair, and they lived together in New York and Los Angeles.