It’s been an impressive 11 years, but The Big Bang Theory still continues to go from strength to strength, remaining one of the most watched and beloved sitcoms today. So beloved, in fact, that the cast has become almost like family to avid watchers of the show. While some cast members and guest stars have come and gone, crowd favorites have chosen to stay, much to the delight of fans.
So here’s the scoop on what our favorite geniuses and their friends have been up to in the past 11 years. Who has increased their net worth and bank account balances exponentially? Did anyone end up needing depression treatment, or even drug and alcohol rehab centers? Whatever the case, their business cards are so much more valuable now for being a part of this awesome show.
Alessandra Torresani as Claire
Alessandra Torresani had a recurring role in the ninth season of The Big Bang Theory as the cute bartender Claire, who later became a love interest for Raj.
She briefly came back as a guest star in season 10, but has since moved on to pursue other projects, including an appearance in Lucifer and the film Step Sisters. Despite not having too many projects to her credit at this point, she is still a long way from bankruptcy, thanks to her stint on the show.
Sara Gilbert as Leslie Winkle
Sara Gilbert played Leslie Winkle, a recurring character in early seasons of The Big Bang Theory. At some point, she was even elevated as a regular cast member, but was unfortunately written off as the writers were unsure of the direction of her storyline.
In the show, she was both Leonard’s and Howard’s love interest. However, she was actually in a real-life relationship with John Galecki (Leonard) as a teenager before she came out as a lesbian. Despite leaving the show, the actress has had no problems getting jobs and has joined the cast of the Roseanne revival for which she is also an executive producer.
Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali
Another fan favorite is, of course, the hilarious and lovable Raj. He is perpetually the third or fifth wheel of the squad, but has also had his share of romantic misadventures. Aside from being a cast member, ever since the show’s first episode 11 years ago, actor Kunal Nayyar has also had a handful of TV and film projects, including Trolls.
He is also quite accomplished as a theater actor. Now earning a whopping $750,000 per episode, it’s safe to say that this is one guy who has no trouble paying his mortgage.
Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom
Stuart’s comic book store is one of the show’s focal points, and Stuart himself, though always seemingly on the fringes of the squad, is still a key character.
Kevin Sussman’s Stuart has been a cast member since he first appeared on season two, and we have since seen his character grow, despite seemingly having constant emotional and financial issues. But unlike Stuart, Kevin definitely has no issues on the money front as his bank account is regularly replenished with $50,000 per episode. This is on top of his various television and film appearances as a character actor.
Carol Ann Susi as Debbie Wolowitz
Despite being a recurring character in The Big Bang Theory as Howard’s domineering mother, Debbie Wolowitz, voiced by Carol Ann Susi, is one that audiences never saw.
Her stint on the show ended when Carol Ann died in 2014, prompting the showrunners to also write in her death on the show. She was battling cancer for some time, but her cancer treatment evidently failed and she unexpectedly died in her sleep.
Steven Yeun as Sebastian
Before Steven Yeun became a household name as the fan favorite Glenn in The Walking Dead, his first ever TV role was actually as a guest star in The Big Bang Theory, playing the role of Sheldon’s former roommate, Sebastian.
No doubt his career had skyrocketed since then as despite being killed off in The Walking Dead, the projects just keep coming for this fine actor. He has 2 new films - Sorry to Bother You with Armie Hammer, and the Korean drama film, Burning. He also owns a restaurant in Los Angeles, so his bank account is definitely a healthy one.
Aarti Mann as Priya Koothrappali
Aarti Mann was a familiar face in seasons four and five of The Big Bang Theory when she played the recurring character of Priya, Raj’s sister and Leonard’s sometime love interest.
Although she has been acting well before her appearance in the show, it was this role that really got her noticed, leading to stints in shows like Suits and Grey’s Anatomy. Chances are she’s had no trouble paying her mortgage and other bills since then.
Margo Harshman as Alex Jensen
Margo Harshman had been acting since the late 90s, even starring opposite Shia LaBeouf in the popular sitcom Even Stevens.
Her four-episode stint on The Big Bang Theory is just one of a several notable projects that she’s been part with, and no doubt her net worth is a fairly impressive one. She most recently appeared in several episodes of NCIS.
Brian Patrick Wade as Kurt
Brian Patrick Wade is an actor and personal trainer who appeared in The Big Bang Theory for three episodes as Penny’s ex-boyfriend who was the total opposite of Leonard.
Prior to that, he’s had several appearances in notable shows, including CSI: Miami and NCIS. At present, he is a recurring character in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. so we’re happy for his bank account.
Charlotte Newhouse as Joy
Charlotte Newhouse appeared in one episode of the show’s fourth season as Joy, a friend of Bernadette’s who was set up with Leonard.
Not much is known of the actress since then, but she did appear in a handful of films and was cast in the Comedy Central series, Idiotsitter. She likely does not have a substance abuse problem, as it would definitely make headlines.
Valerie Azlynn as Alicia
Although not really a big star, Valerie Azlynn still has a rather impressive acting resume, appearing in a good number of TV and film projects, including Tropic Thunder and How I Met Your Mother.
She appeared in one episode of The Big Bang Theory in 2009 for which she definitely made an impression as she continues to be offered small guest roles in various projects. She is definitely a long way from bankruptcy.
Brooke D’Orsay as Christy Vanderbel
Brooke D’Orsay guested in The Big Bang Theory as Penny’s friend, Christy Vanderbel, who ended up dating Howard for a spell.
Although she had been acting well before then, her Big Bang guesting definitely opened many doors for her as she has consistently appeared in TV since then, including a starring role in Royal Pains and recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and Drop Dead Diva, to name a few. We can guess that her net worth is steadily growing.
Riki Lindhome as Ramona Nowitzki
Riki Lindhome’s character, Ramona Nowitzki, first appeared in The Big Bang Theory in 2008 and returned in 2017. Prior to that, however, she’s actually had a relatively successful acting career, starring in high-profile film and TV projects like Million Dollar Baby and Gilmore Girls.
Her success continues to this day, most recently lending her voice in The Lego Batman Movie, to name just a few. With no dearth of jobs her way, she’s far away from bankruptcy.
Courtney Henggeler as Missy Cooper
Courtney Henggeler appeared in one episode of the first season of The Big Bang Theory as Missy Cooper, Sheldon’s unlikely twin sister.
Despite being mentioned throughout the series several times since then, she has not re-appeared since then. However, she continues to work in other projects, most recently as part of the cast of Cobra Kai. Not much is known about Courtney’s personal life, but we’re guessing she has no need for depression treatment.
Kate Micucci as Lucy
Kate Micucci has had an extensive film and television line-up well before she started appearing in The Big Bang Theory as the recurring character Lucy in 2013 and again in 2017.
She is especially prolific as a voice actress, voicing characters in Scooby-Doo, DuckTales, and The Lego Batman Movie, to name just a few. With all the projects that continue to go her way, there’s no doubt that her bank account is well replenished.
John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke
John Ross Bowie plays the antagonistic Barry Kripke, a recurring character who fans just can’t help but love. He’s held regular jobs in films and TV since 1999, well before he appeared in The Big Bang Theory 10 years later.
He has been happily married to comedian Jamie Denbo since 2004, and doesn’t look like they plan to engage divorce attorneys anytime soon.
Wil Wheaton as Himself
It is interesting how Wil Wheaton, from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, plays a fictionalized version of himself as Sheldon’s arch-enemy-turned-friend. It started out as a guest role in seasons three and four, but it has since become a recurring role, making him a mainstay in the show at present.
However, he has been doing television and film work since the early 80s, and he continues to be a real success to this day with undoubtedly a sizeable net worth.
Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper
Another beloved recurring character is Mary Cooper, stellarly played by actress Laurie Metcalf. She has appeared in The Big Bang Theory since 2007 as Sheldon’s mother and has proven to be a real show-stealer each time.
She has also been an active actress since the late 70s and continues to have a slew of projects in both film and TV. She has been married twice, but has also employed divorce attorneys the same number of times.
Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter
One recurring character who has consistently stolen the show each time she made an appearance is Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, Leonard’s mother, who is played by veteran actress Christine Baranski. Of course, she has been a familiar face both on film and television since the early 80s, and is set to reprise her role in the much-awaited Mamma Mia!
Here We Go Again. She was married to actor Matthew Cowles for 31 years before his untimely death in 2014, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she needed depression treatment for that.
Ian Scott Rudolph as Captain Sweatpants
Captain Sweatpants is a background character who has appeared several times since season two. He is brilliantly played by actor Ian Scott Rudolph who has appeared in a handful of TV series and movie jobs since, including Blank Pages and Sebastian Says.
Brian George as Dr. V.M. Koothrappali
It’s easy enough to recognize Brian George as literally the face in the screen because as Raj’s father, we normally see him throughout the show in video calls with his son.
He finally made a physical appearance in the show in the eighth season, much to his fans’ delight. Outside of Big Bang, he has been an accomplished and respected actor since the mid-80s at least, and consistently appears as a character actor, so no doubt, his mortgage payments are up to date.
Alice Amter as Mrs. Koothrappali
Alice Amter’s claim to fame is playing Raj’s mother, Mrs. Koothrappali, in The Big Bang Theory. Despite this significant role, the actress herself does not have any Indian ancestry whatsoever.
Since Big Bang, she has appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles and Scandal, though she doesn’t seem to take on regular acting jobs.
Casey Sander as Mike Rostenkowski
Casey Sander plays Bernadette’s father, Mike Rostenkowski, in The Big Bang Theory. However, he has actually been acting since 1982, holding countless film and television jobs that keeps his bank account hale and hearty.
He was most notably part of the casts of Home Improvement and Grace Under Fire in the 90s.
Vernee Watson-Johnson as Nurse Althea
Vernee Watson-Johnson displayed some serious comedic chops in her recurring role as Nurse Althea. This is not at all a surprise from this veteran actress who has been acting since the mid-70s, starring in TV hits like Welcome Back, Kotter and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Most recently, she has also made an appearance in The Big Bang Theory’s spin-off show, Young Sheldon. We’re pretty sure her bank account is a healthy one.
Mark Harelik as Dr. Eric Gablehauser
As Sheldon’s boss Dr. Eric Gablehauser, Mark Harelik provided a bit of intrigue to The Big Bang Theory when he asked Sheldon’s mother out on a date. Apart from acting his two-season stint on the show, Mark has appeared in numerous high-profile projects like Jurassic Park III and Breaking Bad, to name just a few.
Needless to say, he is a long way off from bankruptcy. He is most notably a prolific and successful playwright, as well, with a slew of theater productions to his name.
April Bowlby as Rebecca
April Bowlby was a guest star in The Big Bang Theory, appearing as Rebecca who was geologist Bert’s short-lived girlfriend. However, this was not her first television appearance as she had held numerous roles for various shows since 2004, including guesting in four episodes of How I Met Your Mother and a main role in Drop Dead Diva. It’s not her last either as she is currently a mainstay in Titans.
Mayim Bialik as Amy Fowler
Although part of the main cast of the show, Mayim Bialik’s Amy Fowler actually came late in the game when she was introduced as a potential love interest for Sheldon at the end of season three.
Since then, we have watched their on-screen relationship blossom and Mayim’s net worth grow as she is now reportedly getting paid a whopping $500,000 per episode.
Laura Spencer as Emily Sweeney
Laura Spencer played the character of Emily Sweeney from seasons seven through nine as one of Raj’s many love interests at that time.
She also returned for a guest appearance in season 10. Although she’s not likely to return to the show, Laura has since enjoyed relative success as a recurring character in Bones, among other projects, so her business cards definitely remain impressive.
Kaley Cuoco as Penny Hofstadter
Kaley Cuoco has had a solid film and television career since the early 90s with numerous TV guestings to her name and even main roles in shows like Charmed and 8 Simple Rules. But it is undoubtedly her portrayal of the beautiful Penny in The Big Bang Theory that cemented her place in Hollywood.
While her on-screen romance with Leonard flourished, her real-life marriage to pro tennis player Ryan Sweeting, on the other hand, proved to be disastrous, leading Kaley to turn to divorce attorneys in 2016. However, her personal net worth is doing very well as she gets paid a very cool $900,000 per episode.
Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Wolowitz
Another main cast member and fan favorite who was introduced late in the show is Bernadette, played by Melissa Rauch who has proven to be a scene-stealer with her interesting voice, which is actually not her natural voice. Since her debut in season three, we have watched Bernadette get her PhD, marry Howard, and become a mother, twice, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
Melissa’s career has also flourished outside of Big Bang with numerous TV and film jobs being sent her way on a regular basis. She has recently signed on for another two seasons with a payout of $500,000 an episode, so she’s definitely not going on depression treatment over financial issues, anytime soon.
Eliza Dushku as Angela Page
Eliza Dushku was on the cusp of stardom back in the 90s, starring in industry stalwarts like Bring It On, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel. However, she never really went mainstream and was perpetually stuck in supporting roles. She guest starred in season four of The Big Bang Theory, and continues to have one of the most impressive business cards in Hollywood today, thanks to regular projects both on film and TV.
In line with people in the film industry reporting indecent misconducts done to them, Dushku recently came out and accused stuntman Joel Kramer for assaulting her indecently during the filming of the movie True Lies, where the 12 year old actress (then) played Arnold Schwarzenegger's daughter.
Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter
Of course, physicist Leonard Hofstadter needs no introduction as Sheldon Cooper’s long-suffering roommate and best friend. Actor Johnny Galecki who plays Leonard has actually been around in films and on TV since 1987, but only became a household name when he joined The Big Bang Theory as part of its original cast.
Since then, we’ve seen his character come into its own and even marry the beautiful Penny. Johnny has since won multiple awards for this role, including an Emmy, and recently re-negotiated his salary to almost $1 million per episode, effectively increasing the actor’s net worth.
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
11 years since The Big Bang Theory premiered, fans of the show are still as in love with Sheldon Cooper and his antics as ever, played to absolute perfection by none other than Jim Parsons who seems born for the role.
Since his breakthrough role, Jim has gone on to star in numerous film, TV, and stage projects, but, of course, Sheldon remains his most constant alter ego yet. He definitely deserves the $1,000,000 per episode that he earns and uses to replenish his bank account.
Sara Rue as Stephanie Barnett
Sara Rue is quite unforgettable when she became a recurring guest star in the show’s second season as the doctor who almost put an end to Howard and Leonard’s friendship.
Since then, she’s had no dearth of TV roles. She most recently joined the cast of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. She also made headlines when she underwent a rather impressive weight loss a few years back.
Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz
Simon Helberg’s Howard Wolowitz is no doubt a real crowd favorite. We have all seen Howard’s character grow from being an amusing momma’s boy to his antics as a father to two children and husband to Bernadette.
Outside of The Big Bang Theory, Simon has also grown as an actor, starring in high-profile projects like Florence Foster Jenkins alongside Meryl Streep for which he was even nominated for a Golden Globe. He has also been married to actress and writer Jocelyn Towne since 2007 and has never needed divorce attorneys for over a decade.