The Big Bang Theory is one of the most influential sitcoms of the last 20 years.
Before our TVs were taken over by streaming services, it was weekly TV series that rules our weeknights. Consistently gaining high-rating through its 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory solidifies its spot as a cultural monument of the ‘10s.
And yes, you aren’t mistaken. The Big Bang Theory lasts for 12 seasons. An astonishing record for a comedy. Icons like How I Met Your Mother, Friends, and Frasiers don’t last more than 10.
The Big Bang Theory is watched by so many because it is quirky and hilarious, radiating positivity and physical humor. People who watch the filming live have been reported to actually ROTF when watching the cast.
Thorough its 12 seasons, the wacky gang of nerds and beauties have taken us through their growing up journey. While fans of the show can effortlessly recount every trivia from the show, what about behind-the-scene? Do you know about these 20 behind-the-scene secrets about The Big Bang Theory cast?
#1 Jim Parsons Has Never Seen ‘Star Trek’ Or ‘Doctor Who’
Source: Photo: CBS
Sheldon is a huge Doctor Who and Star Trek aficionado, so much so that Spock actor Leonard Nemoy has a restraining order against him. Jim Parsons, on the other hand, never watched either show, until he played their biggest fan in The Big Bang Theory.
#2 Mayim Bialik Is A Real Doctor
Source: Photo: CBS
Mayim Bialik is a real doctor; she got her doctorate in 2007. The “Blossom” actress put her acting career on hold to pursue her education, and she was already a Ph.D. holder when she took on the role of Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler.
#3 The Five Original Leads Were The Highest-Paid Actors In The World
Source: Photo: CBS
By the ninth season of The Big Bang Theory, all five original cast members had earned a whopping total of $1 million each episode. This makes them the highest-earning actors at the time. However, the actors showed unity and took a wage reduction for the next two seasons, so Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik got their raises.
#4 The Cast’s Musical Talents Are Real
Source: Photo: CBS
In musical scenes, many actors mime what their characters do, and then have the actual sound dubbed. However, this is not the case with The Big Bang Theory cast members, who are instrumentalists in real life. For Jim Parsons, it’s the theremin, Mayim Bialik the harp, Johnny Galecki the cello, and Simon Helberg the piano.
#5 Melissa Rauch’s Real Pregnancy Caused Bernadette’s Pregnancy
Source: Photo: CBS
Bernadette was seen pregnant twice in The Big Bang Theory. Her second pregnancy was hurriedly written into the show to coincide with Melissa Rauch’s real one. This allows Melissa Rauch to undergo bed rest while still staring on the show.
#6 Like Howard, Simon Helberg Was The First Of The Original Cast To Marry And Have Children
Source: Photo: CBS
In an amazing case of art imitating life, Howard followed the same footsteps as his actor. Simon Helberg was the first of the original casts to marry in 2007, then have a daughter in 2012 and a boy in 2014. Similarly, Howard was the first member of the gang to marry and had a daughter, then a boy.
#7 Johnny Galecki Only Attended One Day Of High School
Source: Photo: CBS
Leonard is a proud nerd and received his Ph.D. at 24. However, Johnny Galecki knew that school wasn’t for him. He subsequently dropped out after finishing eighth grade and attending only one day of high school.
#8 Sheldon’s Mother On Two Shows Are Played By Actually Mother And Daughter In Real Life
Laurie Metcalf and Zoe Perry play Sheldon’s ever-loving mother, Mary Cooper, in different shows, respectively. Surprisingly, the two actresses are mother and daughter in real life, making the character of Mrs. Cooper even more convincing.
#9 Jim Parsons Auditioned For About 30 Pilots Before ‘The Big Bang Theory’
Source: Photo: CBS
Jim Parsons’ is the breakout star of The Big Bang Theory. However, the actor struggled for a long time before getting his role of Sheldon Cooper. The actor auditioned for roughly 15-30 pilots before The Big Bang Theory.
#10 Kevin Sussman Actually Worked In A Comic Book Store
Source: Photo: CBS
Before he was running a fictional comic book store, Kevin Sussman previously worked at a real one. Prior to becoming an actor, Kevin Sussman worked at Jim Hanley’s Universe in New York City, and he later earned a fortune from his experience. Talk about foreshadowing!
#11 Katey Sagal And Kaley Cuoco Played Mother And Daughter In Another Sitcom
Source: Photo: 8 Simple Rules / ABC
Before The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco was on another sitcom, 8 Simple Rules. In the show, her mother was played by Katey Sagal. A decade after 8 Simple Rules ends, Katey Sagal guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory as the mother of Kaley’s Penny.
#12 Melissa Rauch Sounds Nothing Like Bernadette In Real Life
Source: Photo: CBS
Bernadette’s signature is her high-pitched and squeaky voice. The voice was solely created by Melissa Rauch for the role. The actress’s mother first provided an example for the voice, which she fully adapted from Season 4 onward.
#13 Mayim Bialik Had An Accident, So Amy’s Hand Was Hidden For Multiple Episodes
Source: Photo: CBS
In 2012, Mayim Bialik was in a horrible car accident; so severe that she nearly lost her hand. The actress spent over five episodes hiding her hand in various ways to disguise her injury.
#14 Leonard’s Glasses Don’t Have Any Lenses Because Johnny Galecki Got Glare From The Set Lights
Source: Photo: CBS
In real life, Johnny Galecki does not wear glasses. To play Leonard, he eventually chose to wear only the frames and no lens. This was due to the glare from the intense set of lights. Since he had to stare up at Jim Parsons during their scenes, the set lights blurred the lens, and he could not see.
#15 Sheldon Is Scared Of Driving, But Jim Parsons Gets Sick If He Doesn’t Drive
Source: Photo: CBS
While Sheldon has a driving phobia and requires people to drive him around, Jim Parsons is driven insane when he is not driving. As a result, the actor loves to remain behind the wheel since it keeps him from losing his mind.
#16 Johnny Galecki And Kaley Cuoco Were A Couple In Real Life
Source: Photo: CBS
When Leonard and Amy met and fell in love, the actors who played them began a romantic relationship. Coincidently, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco’s characters ended their romance around the same time as their characters did in Season 3.
