15 Cameos from The Big Bang Theory that we absolutely loved

The Big Bang Theory, aired for 12 seasons and garnered much love and praise from fans and critics. Its unique premise about four nerdy scientist friends who are trying to go through life while being socially awkward was relatable and hilarious to many. As the show deals with science and technology, it has featured a handful of wonderful cameos by scientists, astronauts, and tech founders. Here is a list of 15 cameos that were a welcome addition to The Big Bang Theory.

1. Mark Hamill

In season 11, episode 24, the audiences get a pleasant surprise as the legendary Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, AKA, Mark Hamill makes a guest appearance on the show. Howard meets the actor when he finds and returns Hamill’s dog to him. As Mark offers a reward, Howard immediately asks him to officiate Sheldon and Amy’s wedding. Hamill meeting Sheldon at the wedding and then crying at the vows that Amy and Sheldon took is a beautiful moment in the show.

2. Elon Musk

In season 9, episode 9, the episode offers a heartwarming look into Thanksgiving as Bernie and Raj decide to serve the homeless with food. Howard also joins them and is assigned to wash dishes. As Howard gets busy washing the dishes, the tech genius also comes in, which surprises Howard. Howard tells Musk that he is a big fan and Musk says that they should exchange emails as he always needs engineers.

3. Stephen Hawking

The famous physicist made two appearances in the show. In season 5, episode 21, Hawking is invited to Caltech as a guest lecturer and Sheldon shows his research paper to him. Even though Hawking praises Sheldon’s work, he also points out an error, which leaves Sheldon embarrassed. And in season 11, episode 1, Hawking tries to tell Sheldon that him scolding others about talking about themselves is an irony. But, Sheldon hilariously misses the cue.

4. Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton has a recurring cameo in the series and the growth shown in his character and those around him is heartwarming to watch. Originally, Wheaton appeared as an antagonist in season 3. Sheldon and him were portrayed as fierce enemies. But the two slowly start to make peace and mature. His friendship becomes so important to Sheldon that Wheaton is originally requested to officiate Sheldon and Amy’s wedding before Mark Hamill joins.

5. Stan Lee

In season 3, episode 16, the iconic face behind Marvel Comics makes a noteworthy cameo in The Big Bang Theory. Stan Lee is Sheldon’s idol, but he unfortunately misses the opportunity of meeting him as he has to appear in court, while he was helping Penny. Guilty that Sheldon could not meet Lee, even though the rest have at Stuart’s shop, she takes Sheldon to Stan Lee’s home. Hilariously, Sheldon gets a restraining order from his hero, which he proudly displays at home.

6. Bill Nye

Another famous cameo that took place not once, but twice on the show, is that of Bill Nye. In season 7, episode 7, Sheldon meets his idol Professor Proton and gets excited. But, when Proton asks Sheldon’s roommate to read a research paper, Sheldon tries to make Proton jealous by contacting his rival, Bill Nye. This leads to Sheldon getting another restraining order. In season 12, episode 1, Nye makes a cameo again when Neil DeGrasse Tyson contacts him.

7. Buzz Aldrin

In season 6, episode 5, the episode revolves around Halloween and Howard brags to his friends about his trip to outer space. The episode has a lot of fun moments. However, towards the end, the viewers are surprised with a cameo by Buzz Aldrin. Raj gives a YouTube clip to Howard that shows the famous astronaut giving candy to kids and mentioning about his moon trip to each kid. Howard realizes how his friends must have felt about his bragging.

8. Steve Wozniak

In season 4, episode 2, the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak appears on the show. Sheldon is a huge admirer of Wozniak, however, the way they run into each other is hilarious. Sheldon decides to test out a rudimentary robot and places it in the real world, while he himself stays at home. During the course of this invention's test run, Sheldon’s robot bumps into Wozniak at The Cheesecake Factory and Sheldon has to interact with his idol through a screen.

9. LeVar Burton

The actor is known for playing Geordi LaForge in Star Trek and is another sci-fi action hero that the gang looks up to. In Season 4, episode 17, Sheldon finds Burton on Twitter and invites him to a game night. But, Burton arrives late and the two are unable to meet. In season 6, episode 7, and season 8, episode 10, the two meet when Sheldon invites the actor to star in his web series, which Burton agrees to.

10. Bob Newhart

The yesteryear actor is known for acting in several sitcoms of the 1970s and 1980s and is a famous comedian. His recurring cameo in the series therefore adds to the nostalgia and the comedy. As a guest star on the show, Newhart plays the role of Sheldon’s favorite, Professor Proton. Proton is a parody of Bill Nye, which makes it even funnier. The actor has appeared many times on the show and almost every appearance is uniquely memorable.

11. Carrie Fisher

In season 7, episode 14, the iconic Princess Leia from Star Wars, AKA, Carrie Fisher, makes an appearance. Her cameo is a double whammy as James Earl Jones also makes a cameo in the episode. The boys of the show fail to get tickets for Comic-Con and Sheldon decides to create one instead and invites the two celebrities. The two actors interact in a comic and playful manner with each other, as Sheldon plays ding-dong ditch with his heroes.

12. Bill Gates

In season 11, episode 18, Leonard has his own set of adventures with a celebrity when Penny hosts a party for the famous Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates. The party is in honor of Gates partnering with a pharmaceutical company. Leonard tries to stalk his hero without telling Penny and ends up in an embarrassing moment when he blows his nose on the tech genius’s tie!

13. Charlie Sheen

Sheldon is not the only one who encounters celebrities at The Cheesecake Factory. In season 2, episode 4, Raj gets the news that he will appear on the People Magazine for “30 visionaries under 30 years to watch” and soon becomes arrogant. In his pride, when he meets the actor at the fast-food chain, he ends up bragging to him about his magazine appearance. Sheen points out that he should call him after he appears on the magazine.

14. Neil Gaiman

In season 11, episode 21, the famous English fantasy author shows up at Stuart’s comic book shop and tries to interact with the gang. But, the group is hilariously unaware as they are too busy trying to argue about the best comic genre. However, the author leaves a good review about the comic book shop, which suddenly turns Stuart’s humble abode into a famous store. Sheldon remarks that he preferred the quiet book store.

15. Neil deGrasse Tyson

In season 4, episode 7, famous astrophysicist is at Caltech when he is introduced to Sheldon. The two get into an argument over the fall of Pluto from planet status—for which, Sheldon blames Tyson. Even though Tyson apologizes to Sheldon, he is no mood to forgive him. The scientist made a second appearance in season 12, episode 1, when Raj starts fighting with Tyson on Twitter and Bill Nye joins in!