The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular and long-running sitcoms out there, clocking in at 12 full seasons, and then there’s the Young Sheldon spinoff as well. This franchise’s core characters are all geeky but lovable scientists exploring their lives in the heart of Pasadena, California, and the cast soon expanded well beyond that.
Not only is The Big Bang Theory loaded with witty and gripping dialogue, but it also has top-tier actors who truly bring these characters to life. They must do more than recite Star Trek trivia or explain the Drake Equation, though. These actors must convey all the diverse and subtle emotions in these characters, including through body language. Arguably, every actor in The Big Bang Theory pulled this off, but some of them really stand out.
10 Jim Parsons Did The Impossible With Sheldon Cooper
The often misunderstood character of Sheldon Cooper is intense and delivers a lot of rapid, complex dialogue that also demands some unusual emotional inflections and body language, and not just any actor could portray Sheldon correctly. Fortunately, Jim Parsons dominated the scene with his depiction of Sheldon Cooper.
Jim Parsons can recite huge amounts of borderline tongue-twister dialogue in The Big Bang Theory, all while also delivering truly hilarious one-liners with perfect facial expressions and comedic timing. Jim Parson’s role as Sheldon really made the show.
9 Johnny Galecki Is Heartfelt As Leonard Hofstadter
The character Leonard Hofstadter may annoy Sheldon with his many emotional outbursts and chaotic personal life, but that’s why The Big Bang Theory fans enjoy watching actor Johnny Galecki play this character. Unlike the standoffish and routine-loving Sheldon, Leonard is a lively fellow whose love, anger, and sorrow are all larger than life.
Actor Johnny Galecki does an outstanding job portraying Leonard as a self-conscious particle physicist who just wants to find true love and live a relatively “normal” life outside of high-powered lasers and comic books, and his many clashes with Sheldon make for some of the finest drama on TV. They have unbelievable chemistry together, and Johnny Galecki is the catalyst.
8 Kaley Cuoco Is The Tough Blonde Penny
In the very first episode of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Leonard returned home to find Penny moving into the apartment across the hall from theirs, and their lives have never been the same since. Penny hails from Nebraska, and she is eager to make it big as an actress in Los Angeles. It’ll take time, though.
Actress Kaley Cuoco captures every side there could be to such a character, from Penny’s tough love as a big-sister type to her vulnerable moments, her hot-blooded anger, and her defensive side as well. Penny is many people in one, all of them compelling thanks to Kaley Cuoco’s acting prowess.
7 Kunal Nayyar Brings Raj’s Softer Side To Life
Actor Kunal Nayyar clearly did his best to keep his character, Rajesh, balanced during the course of The Big Bang Theory. After all, while Raj is best known for his warm-hearted empathy and generous nature, Kunal Nayyar also made sure to bring out Raj’s intense and excitable side, too. He’s nice, but he’s not boring.
Raj can really capture viewers’ hearts with this emotionally rich acting, from Raj’s cheerful enthusiasm for artistic expression to his sudden outbursts about love and dating, not to mention his heated arguments with his best friend, Howard. Kunal Nayyar can make Raj both cuddly and harsh, and it’s remarkable.
6 Simon Helberg Makes Howard Hysterical & Vulnerable
Only actor Simon Helberg could assume the role of the womanizing CalTech engineer Howard Wolowitz and make him so compelling. True, plenty of Howard’s jokes and antics have aged awkwardly and were pretty excessive even at the time, but no one can argue about Mr. Helberg’s ability to make this character pop. That’s just what Howard would want.
Simon Helberg’s acting makes Howard awkward, annoying, goofy, sympathetic, and simply captivating, which helps The Big Bang theory show every aspect of this surprisingly complex character in every episode. Mr. Helberg also does a great job with Howard’s outrageous facial expressions and funny voices.
5 Melissa Rauch Makes Bernadette Scary But Kind, Too
Actress Melissa Rauch portrays the petite microbiologist Bernadette starting in Season 3, and her presence is impossible to miss. On the outside, Bernadette looks like a meek young woman with doll-like clothes, but she is not to be messed with. Bernadette is loving but also tough and hotheaded, almost like an anime tsundere character.
Melissa Rauch does a stellar job with Bernadette’s role, vividly expressing her own brand of tough love and motherly ways while also delivering goofy dialogue and snarky jokes perfectly. It’s odd but impressive how her squeaky voice can sound so intimidating.
4 Mayim Bialik Makes Amy Farrah Fowler Awkward And Lovable
Actress Mayim Bialik is now the face of the long-running game show Jeopardy!, but she also did an outstanding job as the shy but increasingly bold neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler. Amy made her debut at the end of Season 3 as the perfect female counterpart to Sheldon, but she soon became more than that.
Amy and Sheldon were good for each other, and Mayim Bialik’s warm, passionate acting helped make the “Shamy” pairing come to life. Amy’s shy but earnest nature is easy to like, and she can easily switch from vulnerable to joyous to quite angry as the script demands.
3 Wil Wheaton Plays Himself
Actor Wil Wheaton of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame appeared partway through The Big Bang Theory as himself, and he’s not afraid to mess with people, most of all Sheldon Cooper. Sheldon nursed a grudge against Wil for failing to appear at a Star Trek convention, only for Wil to troll him in a card game and intensify the feud.
Wil Wheaton does a marvelous job portraying himself as a somewhat, but not entirely, humble actor who sometimes has a little fun with his celebrity status and influence. He portrays himself as a slick, suave geek type who knows pop culture but can still keep himself reasonably grounded.
2 Laurie Metcalf Plays Sheldon’s Homely Mother, Mary Cooper
Sheldon’s mother, Mary, is a true Texan and a passionate churchgoer, which certainly sets her apart from her beloved son “Shelly.” She is portrayed by actress Laurie Metcalf who eventually passed on the role to Zoe Perry for Young Sheldon.
Laurie Metcalf does a fine job bringing Mary to life as a somewhat frazzled and hot-tempered but also loving mother of three who just wants what’s best for everyone, even if she sometimes blurts out insensitive things. Laurie Metcalf really nailed the no-nonsense, down-to-earth parent who is more than a little used to Sheldon’s antics.
1 Brian Thomas Smith Makes Zack Lovable
Actor Brian Thomas Smith really makes the most of his minor role as Zack, Penny’s goofball boyfriend. He may not be too sharp, but fans love him anyway as a charming, innocent fellow who just wants to have fun and make friends. He may look imposing, but he is actually sensitive and caring.
Zack really pops when Smith brings out the character’s easygoing, goofy nature in his limited scenes. He is even funnier when his face lights up with wonder or shock when his new scientist friends tell him something incredible. His line “What species is that?!” about the 1969 moon mission is just pitch perfect.