The Big Bang Theory Cast

The Big Bang Theory is one of the biggest comedy sitcoms in America and across the globe. The show, which premiered on September 24, 2007, has earned a huge fan following over its 12 years delivering 12 spectacular seasons and a total of 279 episodes. Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady created the show under CBS and Warner Bros. Television, which serve as the distribution partners of the show.

The Big Bang Theory is a show based on the lives of friends who live in Pasadena, California. The show mainly revolves around two highly knowledgeable scientists, Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper, who navigate friendships, romantic relationships, and the challenges of everyday life with entertaining humor and memorable scenes that have kept the audience quite entertained throughout its 12 seasons.

The Big Bang Theory Cast

Across the 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, we have seen 6 main characters, multiple guests, and minor characters. Let's check them out.

Main Characters

1. Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter

American television and movie actor Johnny Galecki is seen playing Leonard Hofstadter who is an experimental physicist with an IQ of 173. The character is known to have a PhD at the young age of 24 and is seen as a geek who loves video games, comic books, and Dungeons & Dragons. Over the series, we see Leonard having a relationship with neighbor Penny who is also one of the main characters in the series.

2. Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper

Jim Parsons plays the role of the child prodigy Sheldon Cooper. Sheldon has an IQ of 187 and is known to be a theoretical physicist researching quantum mechanics and string theory. Jim has received various awards, like four Primetime Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, for portraying the character.

3. Kaley Cuoco as Penny

Another main character from the show, Penny is played by American actress Kaley Cuoco. Penny lives opposite Leonard and Sheldon’s home. Penny's character is known to work as a waitress and a bartender at The Cheesecake Factory. In the series, Penny is seen becoming friends with Leonard and Sheldon and ends up in a relationship with Leonard, ultimately marrying him.

Related: Who Plays Penny On The Big Bang Theory

4. Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz

Simon Helberg is known to play the role of Howard Wolowitz who is recognized as one of the best friends of Leonard, Rajesh, and Sheldon. Amongst his friends, Howard is the only guy who does not have a PhD and is often mocked for it by his friends. Still an aerospace engineer, Howard worked as an astronaut and went into space as a payload specialist at the International Space Station. Over the course of the series, we see Howard in a relationship with Bernadette.

5. Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali

Kunal Nayyar is seen playing the role of Rajesh Koothrappali who hails from New Delhi, India. Is known to be a particle astrophysicist and has a PhD as similar to Sheldon and Leonard. One interesting thing about his character is that Rajesh is only able to talk to ladies under the influence of alcohol.

6. Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz

American actress Melissa Rauch is seen playing the role of Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz who, in the initial phase of the series, was seen as a side character. Seeing her story and chemistry with Howard Wolowitz, Bernadette was promoted to be a part of the main cast from season 4 to season 12.

7. Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler

Amy Farrah Fowler is played by American actress Mayim Bialik. Her character introduction to the show started as a supporting cast who was selected as a partner for Sheldon Cooper from an online dating site. While in the beginning, Amy and Sheldon are seen quite clueless about their relationship, the two end up getting married by the end of the show. Amy's character is known to have a Ph.D. in neurobiology.

Other Characters