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The Big Bang Theory Characters
The Big Bang Theory follows brilliant, socially awkward scientists and the aspiring actress who lives across the hall.
- Network
- CBS
- Original run
- 2007 to 2019
- Guides
- 8
- Lead
- Ensemble cast
The Big Bang Theory begins with two Caltech physicists, the rule-bound Sheldon Cooper and his more easygoing roommate Leonard Hofstadter, meeting their new neighbor Penny, an aspiring actress working as a waitress. Their friends Howard Wolowitz, an aerospace engineer, and astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali are rarely far away.
As the seasons go on, the group grows to include microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski and neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler, while comic book store owner Stuart Bloom hovers at the edges. Comic books, video games, and science jokes run through every episode.
The show ran for twelve seasons and 279 episodes on CBS, won Jim Parsons four Emmys, and led to the prequel series Young Sheldon.
New to the show, or planning a rewatch? Start with the essential The Big Bang Theory episodes, led by the 16 that matter to more than one character. Already a superfan? Try the 30-question The Big Bang Theory trivia quiz.
The Big Bang Theory main cast(8)
- Sheldon CooperMain castPlayed by Jim ParsonsThe brilliant, rule-bound, socially clueless theoretical physicist from Texas who shares an apartment with Leonard and turns every friendship…
- Amy Farrah FowlerMain castPlayed by Mayim BialikThe deadpan neurobiologist matched with Sheldon by a dating website, who grows from his intellectual equal and pen pal into his girlfriend, wife…
- Bernadette RostenkowskiMain castPlayed by Melissa RauchPenny's sweet-voiced, fiercely competitive coworker turned high-earning microbiologist, who marries Howard and becomes the group's most intimidating…
- Howard WolowitzMain castPlayed by Simon HelbergThe wisecracking aerospace engineer with a bowl cut, tight pants, and a mother who yells from offscreen, who goes from hopeless flirt to astronaut…
- Leonard HofstadterMain castPlayed by Johnny GaleckiThe good-natured, glasses-wearing experimental physicist who rooms with Sheldon, falls for Penny the day she moves in across the hall…
- PennyMain castPlayed by Kaley CuocoThe friendly, street-smart aspiring actress from Nebraska who moves in across the hall from Sheldon and Leonard…
- Raj KoothrappaliMain castPlayed by Kunal NayyarThe sweet, romantic astrophysicist from New Delhi who for six seasons cannot speak to women unless he has had a drink…
- Stuart BloomMain castPlayed by Kevin SussmanThe gentle, perpetually down-on-his-luck owner of the Pasadena comic book store where the guys spend their Wednesday nights…
The Big Bang Theory couples and catchphrases
See how they compare with the best sitcom couples from every show, or find the The Big Bang Theory catchphrase in our list of famous sitcom catchphrases.
Think you know The Big Bang Theory? Today's mystery character could be from any of our 34 shows.
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