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The Big Bang Theorycan easily be one of the most sought after shows on the CBS network. Even after its 12 seasons run, fans wanted more from the show. Apart from the quirky humor and the not-so-easy to understand science jargons, the sitcom also boasted a stunning ensemble. And this massive popularity also brought in some of the highest paychecks in television history.
Initially the cast featured the likes of Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar. While these guys were the OG members, soon Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch also joined the show as a series regular. In this article we will dive deeper into the paychecks of the main cast, and let’s see who comes up as the highest earner of the lot.
7Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialikbrought the highly intelligent neuroscientist with a quirky personality Amy Farah Fowler to life. AnyBig Bangfan would definitely attest to the fact that Amy had one of the biggest transformations on the show. And this was possible only due to the realism and authenticity that Bialik brought to the role.
This was something that even the creators realized and decided to make her a series regular. The actress joined the show during its third season as Sheldon’s love interest. And has also featured in some of the best storylines of the show, from her relationship with Sheldon to her friendship with Penny.
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So, by the time the sitcom concluded, her salary had grown significantly. In the 12th season for instance, she was reportedly paid $425,000 per episode. Apart from her work on the sitcom, Bialik has also directed as well as acted in the 2022 movieAs They Made Us.
6Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauchalso entered the show during the third season and played microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski. And similar to Bialik even she was made a series regular, after her role was appreciated by the fans as well as the creators alike. She was the love interest of Howard, and while it would be difficult for some to digest, she does eventually get married to him.
Towards the end of the show even Rauch earned $425,000 per episode. Interestingly, the original cast which featured Parsons, Galecki, Cuoco, Helberg, and Nayyar even took pay cuts to ensure that both Bialik and Rauch were compensated fairly. After her successful stint inThe Big Bang Theory, Rauch joined the cast ofNight Court.
5Kunal Nayyar
Kunal Nayyarplayed the socially awkward yet brilliant astrophysicistRajeshKoothrappali. The initial seasons saw the character dealing with his inability to talk around women without alcohol. But soon he became a beloved part of the show. Nayyar started out with a pay cheque of $45,000 per episode.
But as the show skyrocketed, so did his salary which almost tripled by the second season and reached $600,000 by the eighth and ninth season. Towards the conclusion of the show, he was getting $1 million per episode.
4Simon Helberg
Simon Helbergplayed the “mama’s boy” and over-the-top Howard Wolowitz on the show. Further, he had a similar salary trajectory to Nayyar starting at $45,000 per episode for the initial seasons. Toward the end, even he earned $1 million per episode.
Helberg with his acting talent and comedic genius did full justice to the role. In the initial seasons, Howard could have made any woman uncomfortable in a split second. But as the show progressed, he was the first one among the characters to get married as well as having kids. Truly a remarkable growth as a character.
3Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuocobrought the extrovert and always chirpy Penny to life. Her journey on the show started with her failed actress stint as well as waitressing at the Cheesecake Factory. But towards the end she was married to Leonard, and was a hot shot pharmaceutical sales rep. Initially Cuoco started with a pay cheque of $60,000 per episode.
The sitcom ended its 12th season with an audience of18 milliontotal viewers and had a rating of 3.1 in the demographic group of 18-49. So, it was only fair that she gets paid handsomely for her brilliant portrayal. Cuoco also earned $1 million in the last season, thus making her one of the highest-earning actresses on television.
2Johnny Galecki
Just like Cuoco, evenJohnny Galeckihad a similar salary path and earned $60,000 per episode in the initial seasons. He played the role of Leonard Hofstadter, and his earnings reached a staggering $1 million per episode during the final season.
His portrayal brought a lot of acclaim as well as nominations for Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. Apart from his flat mate banters with Sheldon, the public also loved his romance with Penny. Infact it was one of the key storylines of the show, with the married couple also expecting their first child in the finale episode.
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Interestingly, both Cuoco and Galecki also dated each other in real life from 2008 and 2010. After two years they parted ways but remained on good terms. Currently, the actress is engaged toOzarkstar Tom Pelphrey and the actor is married to Morgan Galecki.
1Jim Parsons
The Big Bangfans aren’t too thrilled aboutJim Parsonsin recent years given that he was the main reason why the show ended after the 12th season. But despite this, he was the top earner of the show, and just like Galecki, initially earned $60,000 per episode.
And towards the end, his salary was $1 million. Apart from this he also narratedBig Bang’sspin-offYoung Sheldonbringing in an additional $1.5 million in his income. After this, he also became the highest-paid actor on television viaForbes.
you’re able to watch all the seasons ofThe Big Bang Theoryon Max.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1434
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
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Jim ParsonsJohnny GaleckiKaley CuocoKunal NayyarMayim BialikMelissa RauchSimon HelbergThe Big Bang Theory
