The Big Bang Theory captivated audiences for twelve seasons with its quirky humor and lovable characters. The show launched the careers of its talented cast into new heights. Let’s take a look at what the stars of The Big Bang Theory have been up to since the series concluded.
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
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Jim Parsons delivered a stellar performance as the eccentric, high-IQ theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. His portrayal earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. Despite the show’s immense success, Parsons felt it was time to explore new opportunities after 12 seasons and decided to move on.
During his tenure on The Big Bang Theory, Parsons actively engaged in other projects. He appeared in films like The Big Year (2011), The Muppets (2012), Hidden Figures (2016), and the biographical crime drama Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019).
Parsons continued his association with the Big Bang Theory universe by executive producing and narrating Young Sheldon, a prequel series that followed Sheldon’s childhood. Young Sheldon enjoyed a successful seven-season run, concluding in May 2024. His producing credits also extend to the Emmy-nominated dramedy Special and the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, where he reunited with former costar Mayim Bialik. In 2020, Parsons garnered another Emmy nomination for his role in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood.
Beyond television and film, Parsons has a distinguished career in theater. He led the 2018 Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of The Boys in the Band, which was later adapted into a Netflix film in 2020. In 2024, he showcased his versatility by appearing in Broadway productions of Mother Play and Our Town.
In his personal life, Parsons publicly came out as gay in 2012, sharing his long-term relationship with art director Todd Spiewak in a New York Times profile. The couple, who had been together for 14 years, married in 2017.
Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter
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Johnny Galecki played the role of Leonard Hofstadter, an experimental physicist and Sheldon’s best friend, in The Big Bang Theory. His portrayal earned him an Emmy nomination in 2011 and multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations as part of the show’s ensemble cast.
During his time on The Big Bang Theory, Galecki also took on roles in other television shows and films. He made appearances on Entourage and featured in movies like Hancock (2008) with Will Smith and In Time (2011) alongside Amanda Seyfried and Justin Timberlake. He later reprised his role as David Healy in the Roseanne reboot in 2018, a role he originally played in 1992, describing his return as a deeply emotional experience. Since the Roseanne reboot, Galecki has taken a step back from acting.
Galecki’s personal life also garnered attention during his time on The Big Bang Theory. He dated his costar Kaley Cuoco, who played his on-screen girlfriend and later wife, Penny, from 2008 to 2009. Despite ending their romantic relationship, they remained close friends.
In 2018, Galecki began dating Alaina Meyer, and they welcomed a son, Avery, in 2019. However, the couple separated in 2020. In a 2024 Architectural Digest feature, Galecki revealed that he had quietly married Morgan and welcomed a daughter, Oona Evelena.
Kaley Cuoco as Penny
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Kaley Cuoco brought to life the character of Penny in The Big Bang Theory, the outgoing aspiring actress who lived across the hall and eventually married Leonard. While on the show, Cuoco also appeared in films such as Killer Movie (2008) and The Penthouse (2011). She also hosted the People’s Choice Awards in 2012 and 2013, showcasing her versatility beyond acting.
After The Big Bang Theory concluded, Cuoco expanded her career into voice acting and producing. In 2019, she joined the DC Universe, voicing the lead character in the animated series Harley Quinn, and also served as an executive producer for the show.
Cuoco further ventured into production by founding Yes, Norman Productions in 2017. Her company’s first project was an adaptation of Chris Bohjalian’s novel The Flight Attendant in 2020. Cuoco starred as Cassie Bowden and executive produced the series, which ran for two seasons until 2022.
Beyond The Flight Attendant, Cuoco has continued to produce and star in various projects. In 2021, she was announced to star in and executive produce a limited series, Doris Day: Her Own Story. She also led and produced films like Meet Cute (2022) and Role Play (2024). Since 2023, she has starred in the Peacock comedy thriller Based on a True Story opposite Chris Messina.
Cuoco’s personal life has been widely followed. After her breakup with Johnny Galecki, she was briefly engaged to addiction specialist Josh “Lazie” Resnik in 2011. She then became engaged to tennis player Ryan Sweeting shortly after, marrying him in 2013 but divorcing in 2016 after 21 months. In 2018, she married equestrian Karl Cook, but they separated in 2021 and finalized their divorce in 2022.
In 2022, Cuoco confirmed her relationship with Ozark actor Tom Pelphrey. They announced they were expecting a baby girl in October 2022, and their daughter, Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey, was born in March 2023.
Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz
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Simon Helberg had a long career in comedy before landing his role in The Big Bang Theory. He was notably a cast member on MadTV for a season in 2002. In The Big Bang Theory, Helberg played Howard Wolowitz, an aerospace engineer, former astronaut, and the only member of the core group without a Ph.D., known for his often-comedic pursuit of romantic relationships.
During his time on The Big Bang Theory, Helberg also took on roles in critically acclaimed films. He appeared in the Coen brothers’ film A Serious Man (2009) and alongside Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins (2016). Since The Big Bang Theory ended, Helberg starred opposite Adam Driver in Annette (2021) and appeared in As They Made Us and Space Oddity (both 2022).
In 2007, Helberg married actress Jocelyn Towne. They have two children together: a daughter, Adeline, and a son, Wilder.
Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali
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Kunal Nayyar played Raj Koothrappali, the socially anxious particle astrophysicist and Leonard’s best friend, in The Big Bang Theory.
While on the show, Nayyar engaged in various side projects, including voice acting for the animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) and the Nickelodeon series Sanjay and Craig. He also voiced Guy Diamond in the Trolls film franchise, including Trolls World Tour (2020) and Trolls Band Together (2023).
In 2015, Nayyar published his autobiographical book, Yes, My Accent is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You, a collection of humorous essays reflecting on his life and career. He also returned to theater in 2015, appearing in Jesse Eisenberg’s play The Spoils Off-Broadway.
Nayyar has continued to be active on television, appearing in Netflix’s Criminal: UK and starring in Apple TV+’s Suspicion alongside Uma Thurman. In 2024, he appeared in the Netflix film Spaceman and the British teen rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh.
Nayyar has been married to actress and model Neha Kapur since 2011.
Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski
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Melissa Rauch joined The Big Bang Theory in season 3 as Bernadette Rostenkowski, the squeaky-voiced and assertive microbiologist who begins a relationship with Howard. Prior to and during The Big Bang Theory, Rauch accumulated numerous acting credits, including roles in True Blood, The Office, and films like I Love You, Man (2009) and Ode to Joy (2019).
She showcased her talents beyond acting by co-writing, co-producing, and starring in the film The Bronze (2015), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received critical praise. Rauch also voiced Harley Quinn in the animated film Batman and Harley Quinn (2017). In 2019, she published a children’s book, The Tales of Tofu, inspired by her interest in healthy eating.
Since 2023, Rauch has starred in the NBC revival of Night Court, playing Judge Abby Stone. In a fun reunion for fans, Kunal Nayyar guest-starred on Night Court during its second season in 2024.
Rauch is married to writer Winston Beigel, with whom she co-wrote The Bronze. They have two children: a daughter, Sadie, and a son, Brooks.
Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler
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Mayim Bialik made her first appearance in The Big Bang Theory in season 3 as Amy Farrah Fowler, a neurobiologist initially introduced as a potential match for Sheldon through an online dating site. Amy and Sheldon’s relationship became a central and beloved part of the show, culminating in their wedding during season 11.
Before The Big Bang Theory, Bialik was well-known for starring in the 90s NBC sitcom Blossom. She also had a successful voice acting career, with credits in shows like Kim Possible, Hey Arnold!, and Johnny Bravo.
During her time on The Big Bang Theory, Bialik took on other projects, including hosting a reboot of Candid Camera in 2014 and appearing in the holiday film The Flight Before Christmas (2015). She also directed, wrote, and produced the 2022 film As They Made Us, which featured her Big Bang Theory costar Simon Helberg.
From 2020 to 2023, Bialik starred in Call Me Kat, also serving as an executive producer alongside Jim Parsons. Bialik began guest hosting Jeopardy! in 2021 and was later named a host, sharing the role with Ken Jennings until 2023.
Beyond her acting career, Bialik is an author and holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience. She has written and co-written several books, including Beyond the Sling, Girling Up, and Boying Up, focusing on parenting and growing up from a scientific perspective. In 2017, she wrote a New York Times op-ed about being a woman in the entertainment industry following the Harvey Weinstein allegations. She also founded GrokNation, a website promoting discussions on contemporary issues.
Bialik was married to Michael Stone from 2003 to 2013, and they have two sons, Miles Roosevelt and Frederick Heschel. She is currently dating writer, poet, and producer Jonathan Cohen, with whom she co-hosts the podcast Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown.
