The Big Bang Theory | What The Cast is Up to Now
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VOICE OVER: Jennifer Silverman
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
From sitcom stars to new adventures, we're diving into the post-"Big Bang Theory" careers of Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, and the entire beloved cast. Discover what these talented actors have been up to since the show's finale in 2019. Our countdown explores their exciting new projects, from Kaley Cuoco's Emmy-nominated performances to Jim Parsons' continued collaboration with Ryan Murphy, and the diverse paths each cast member has taken in television and film.
The Big Bang Theory: What the Cast Is Us to Now
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re checking in on “The Big Bang Theory” cast, seeing what they’ve been up to since the sitcom ended in 2019.
The first couple “Big Bang” seasons were something of a “Roseanne” reunion, again pairing Sara Gilbert with co-star Johnny Galecki. Plus, co-creator Chuck Lorre was a writer and executive producer on “Roseanne.” Gilbert’s Leslie Winkle started as a recurring character, but was upgraded to a main player in Season 2 as she enters a casual relationship with Leonard and then Howard. By that season’s conclusion, the writers ran out of ideas for Leslie, who only made two more appearances in Seasons 3 and 9. Meanwhile, Gilbert reprised her role as Darlene in the real “Roseanne” reunion, which in turn became “The Conners.” In addition to starring in that spinoff for several seasons, Gilbert created and co-hosted “The Talk,” which ended in 2024.
Kevin Sussman has become best known for playing comic book store proprietor Stuart Bloom. Even before he first appeared in the second season of “The Big Bang Theory,” chances are you heard Sussman’s distinctly down-on-his-luck voice somewhere before. Initially a recurring character, Stuart’s presence on the show grew as Sussman was promoted to a main cast member in the later seasons. Stuart was essentially the unofficial seventh friend. Never part of the main group, but happy just to be invited on occasion. Sussman has continued to find work on the small screen, popping up in shows like “Better Call Saul,” “The Dropout,” and “Lessons in Chemistry.” Just as Stuart found love by the series’ end, Sussman got married to Addie Hall in 2023.
Of the four main “Big Bang” guys, Raj is the only one who didn’t settle down with someone in the end. Shame because he loves romance most of all. Raj did have a handful of semi-serious relationships over the years, most notably with Laura Spencer’s Emily Sweeney. Balancing her other recurring role as Jessica Warren on “Bones,” Sweeney appeared in several “Big Bang” episodes between Seasons 7 and 10. She was even promoted to a main cast member for a brief period in Season 9. Like Emily’s relationship with Raj, though, Sweeney’s time on the show didn’t last. Since making her last appearance as Emily in 2017, Sweeney has landed guest roles as Ms. Rothrock on “Reservation Dogs” and a pregnant woman on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
As mentioned, Raj Koothrappali didn’t find his significant other in the “Big Bang” finale, but at least he got to sit with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Kunal Nayyar, meanwhile, has been happily married to Femina Miss India winner Neha Kapur since 2011. Career-wise, Nayyar has branched beyond television post-“Big Bang Theory.” He’s continued to voice Guy Diamond in the “Trolls” movies and had a supporting role as a technician named Peter in the surreal sci-fi movie “Spaceman.” Kapur also achieved the role of Scrooge in “Christmas Karma,” an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” with a Bollywood twist. He hasn’t left sitcoms behind either, making a guest appearance as a fashion designer on “Night Court” alongside former “Big Bang” cast member Melissa Rauch. Speaking of whom…
The high-pitched Bernadette Rostenkowski didn’t make her “Big Bang” debut until Season 3, becoming a mainstay by the following season. Melissa Rauch gelled with the cast so naturally that it’s hard to remember a time when Bernadette and Howard weren’t an item. After the series finale, Rauch starred in a few movies like Steven Soderbergh’s “The Laundromat.” Yet, her most prominent work has remained on television. Since 2023, she’s served as the lead Judge Abby Stone on the “Night Court” revival. Abby is the daughter of Harry Stone, whom the late Harry Anderson played in the original 80s sitcom. Rauch has also found time to compete on the new version of “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” which has a host you might recognize.
Like Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik started as a guest star in Season 3, but evolved into an integral part of “The Big Bang Theory” moving forward. Amy Farrah Fowler was the perfect romantic foil for Sheldon Cooper while becoming an iconic character in her own right. Bialik has yet to win a Nobel Prize like Amy, but this actress has continued to remind audiences that she’s an actual PhD. She’s done so as a host on “Jeopardy!” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” since Alex Trebek’s passing. She’s dropped by a variety of other game shows while playing the titular character in the short-lived sitcom, “Call Me Kat.” She’d even reunite with Jim Parsons in the “Young Sheldon” finale, providing a glimpse of Shamy as parents.
Simon Helberg starred as Howard Wolowitz for 12 seasons. We could see Helberg’s potential to play a wide range of other roles whenever Howard showcased his knack for impressions. Since the series wrapped, Helberg has shown a different side of himself in ambitious projects like the Sparks rock opera, “Annette,” acting/singing alongside Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. He worked with Candice Bergen and Dustin Hoffman in the drama film “As They Made Us,” which Mayim Bialik directed. Helberg has returned to TV as well with a recurring role as an FBI agent on “Poker Face.” He’s even done some voice work on shows like “American Dad!” and “Dug Days,” not to mention an off-camera cameo on “Young Sheldon.”
Few can say that they starred in not just one, but two of the longest-running sitcoms of all time. Between “Roseanne” and “The Big Bang Theory,” Johnny Galecki could’ve comfortably retired before turning 50. In a way, he did. While Galecki hasn’t officially called it quits, he’s taken an indefinite break from acting since saying goodbye to Leonard Hofstadter. He had a supporting role in the 2019 family film “A Dog’s Journey” and made a couple of more guest spots as David Healy on “The Conners.” For the past few years, though, Galecki has been focused on his family. In late 2019, Galecki welcomed a son with then-girlfriend Alaina Meyer. In 2024, he privately married Morgan Galecki, with whom he has a daughter.
This “8 Simple Rules” and “Charmed” star had already left her mark on television before being cast as Penny on “The Big Bang Theory.” Cuoco’s career didn’t slow down after “Big Bang” ended. If anything, she’s busier than ever, earning multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on the Hitchcokian comedy series “The Flight Attendant.” While that show ended after two seasons, Cuoco has voiced the titular antihero of the “Harley Quinn” animated series since 2019. On the live-action side, she currently stars in the dark comedy “Based on a True Story,” playing one-half of a married couple who get mixed up with a serial killer. She’s also found time to make streaming movies like “Meet Cute” and “Role Play.”
Just because “The Big Bang Theory” ended doesn’t mean Jim Parsons was done with Sheldon Cooper. Over the following five years, Parsons continued to provide narration on “Young Sheldon.” When that prequel wrapped in 2024, it marked the first time in 17 years that Parsons didn’t have a show on the air. Beyond Sheldon, Parsons has collaborated with Ryan Murphy on miniseries like “Hollywood,” which nabbed him an Emmy nomination, and the screen adaptation of “The Boys in the Band.” Parsons previously starred in the Broadway version of the latter - and has returned to the stage several times since. Parsons gave possibly his most dramatic turn in the film “Spoiler Alert,” based on the sometimes funny and sometimes tragic life of TVLine founder Michael Ausiello.
Do you want a “Big Bang Theory” reunion? Let us know in the comments.
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re checking in on “The Big Bang Theory” cast, seeing what they’ve been up to since the sitcom ended in 2019.
#10: Sara Gilbert
The first couple “Big Bang” seasons were something of a “Roseanne” reunion, again pairing Sara Gilbert with co-star Johnny Galecki. Plus, co-creator Chuck Lorre was a writer and executive producer on “Roseanne.” Gilbert’s Leslie Winkle started as a recurring character, but was upgraded to a main player in Season 2 as she enters a casual relationship with Leonard and then Howard. By that season’s conclusion, the writers ran out of ideas for Leslie, who only made two more appearances in Seasons 3 and 9. Meanwhile, Gilbert reprised her role as Darlene in the real “Roseanne” reunion, which in turn became “The Conners.” In addition to starring in that spinoff for several seasons, Gilbert created and co-hosted “The Talk,” which ended in 2024.
#9: Kevin Sussman
Kevin Sussman has become best known for playing comic book store proprietor Stuart Bloom. Even before he first appeared in the second season of “The Big Bang Theory,” chances are you heard Sussman’s distinctly down-on-his-luck voice somewhere before. Initially a recurring character, Stuart’s presence on the show grew as Sussman was promoted to a main cast member in the later seasons. Stuart was essentially the unofficial seventh friend. Never part of the main group, but happy just to be invited on occasion. Sussman has continued to find work on the small screen, popping up in shows like “Better Call Saul,” “The Dropout,” and “Lessons in Chemistry.” Just as Stuart found love by the series’ end, Sussman got married to Addie Hall in 2023.
#8: Laura Spencer
Of the four main “Big Bang” guys, Raj is the only one who didn’t settle down with someone in the end. Shame because he loves romance most of all. Raj did have a handful of semi-serious relationships over the years, most notably with Laura Spencer’s Emily Sweeney. Balancing her other recurring role as Jessica Warren on “Bones,” Sweeney appeared in several “Big Bang” episodes between Seasons 7 and 10. She was even promoted to a main cast member for a brief period in Season 9. Like Emily’s relationship with Raj, though, Sweeney’s time on the show didn’t last. Since making her last appearance as Emily in 2017, Sweeney has landed guest roles as Ms. Rothrock on “Reservation Dogs” and a pregnant woman on “Grey’s Anatomy.”
#7: Kunal Nayyar
As mentioned, Raj Koothrappali didn’t find his significant other in the “Big Bang” finale, but at least he got to sit with Sarah Michelle Gellar. Kunal Nayyar, meanwhile, has been happily married to Femina Miss India winner Neha Kapur since 2011. Career-wise, Nayyar has branched beyond television post-“Big Bang Theory.” He’s continued to voice Guy Diamond in the “Trolls” movies and had a supporting role as a technician named Peter in the surreal sci-fi movie “Spaceman.” Kapur also achieved the role of Scrooge in “Christmas Karma,” an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” with a Bollywood twist. He hasn’t left sitcoms behind either, making a guest appearance as a fashion designer on “Night Court” alongside former “Big Bang” cast member Melissa Rauch. Speaking of whom…
#6: Melissa Rauch
The high-pitched Bernadette Rostenkowski didn’t make her “Big Bang” debut until Season 3, becoming a mainstay by the following season. Melissa Rauch gelled with the cast so naturally that it’s hard to remember a time when Bernadette and Howard weren’t an item. After the series finale, Rauch starred in a few movies like Steven Soderbergh’s “The Laundromat.” Yet, her most prominent work has remained on television. Since 2023, she’s served as the lead Judge Abby Stone on the “Night Court” revival. Abby is the daughter of Harry Stone, whom the late Harry Anderson played in the original 80s sitcom. Rauch has also found time to compete on the new version of “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” which has a host you might recognize.
#5: Mayim Bialik
Like Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik started as a guest star in Season 3, but evolved into an integral part of “The Big Bang Theory” moving forward. Amy Farrah Fowler was the perfect romantic foil for Sheldon Cooper while becoming an iconic character in her own right. Bialik has yet to win a Nobel Prize like Amy, but this actress has continued to remind audiences that she’s an actual PhD. She’s done so as a host on “Jeopardy!” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” since Alex Trebek’s passing. She’s dropped by a variety of other game shows while playing the titular character in the short-lived sitcom, “Call Me Kat.” She’d even reunite with Jim Parsons in the “Young Sheldon” finale, providing a glimpse of Shamy as parents.
#4: Simon Helberg
Simon Helberg starred as Howard Wolowitz for 12 seasons. We could see Helberg’s potential to play a wide range of other roles whenever Howard showcased his knack for impressions. Since the series wrapped, Helberg has shown a different side of himself in ambitious projects like the Sparks rock opera, “Annette,” acting/singing alongside Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard. He worked with Candice Bergen and Dustin Hoffman in the drama film “As They Made Us,” which Mayim Bialik directed. Helberg has returned to TV as well with a recurring role as an FBI agent on “Poker Face.” He’s even done some voice work on shows like “American Dad!” and “Dug Days,” not to mention an off-camera cameo on “Young Sheldon.”
#3: Johnny Galecki
Few can say that they starred in not just one, but two of the longest-running sitcoms of all time. Between “Roseanne” and “The Big Bang Theory,” Johnny Galecki could’ve comfortably retired before turning 50. In a way, he did. While Galecki hasn’t officially called it quits, he’s taken an indefinite break from acting since saying goodbye to Leonard Hofstadter. He had a supporting role in the 2019 family film “A Dog’s Journey” and made a couple of more guest spots as David Healy on “The Conners.” For the past few years, though, Galecki has been focused on his family. In late 2019, Galecki welcomed a son with then-girlfriend Alaina Meyer. In 2024, he privately married Morgan Galecki, with whom he has a daughter.
#2: Kaley Cuoco
This “8 Simple Rules” and “Charmed” star had already left her mark on television before being cast as Penny on “The Big Bang Theory.” Cuoco’s career didn’t slow down after “Big Bang” ended. If anything, she’s busier than ever, earning multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on the Hitchcokian comedy series “The Flight Attendant.” While that show ended after two seasons, Cuoco has voiced the titular antihero of the “Harley Quinn” animated series since 2019. On the live-action side, she currently stars in the dark comedy “Based on a True Story,” playing one-half of a married couple who get mixed up with a serial killer. She’s also found time to make streaming movies like “Meet Cute” and “Role Play.”
#1: Jim Parsons
Just because “The Big Bang Theory” ended doesn’t mean Jim Parsons was done with Sheldon Cooper. Over the following five years, Parsons continued to provide narration on “Young Sheldon.” When that prequel wrapped in 2024, it marked the first time in 17 years that Parsons didn’t have a show on the air. Beyond Sheldon, Parsons has collaborated with Ryan Murphy on miniseries like “Hollywood,” which nabbed him an Emmy nomination, and the screen adaptation of “The Boys in the Band.” Parsons previously starred in the Broadway version of the latter - and has returned to the stage several times since. Parsons gave possibly his most dramatic turn in the film “Spoiler Alert,” based on the sometimes funny and sometimes tragic life of TVLine founder Michael Ausiello.
Do you want a “Big Bang Theory” reunion? Let us know in the comments.
