The best cameos from 'The Big Bang Theory'
In 2019 Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, Raj, Bernadette, and Amy greeted us with the last season of one of the most acclaimed and followed sitcoms of the last twenty years: 'The Big Bang Theory.'
To be exact, there were 12 seasons and 279 episodes, all broadcast from 2007 to 2019, in which the protagonists became like family members for many viewers.
For a sitcom that is mainly about physics and the undisputed talent of the protagonists, one of its strengths undoubtedly was the introduction of many, hilarious cameos of movie, TV, and science stars. In this gallery, we have collected the most epic guests of 'The Big Bang Theory'!
Among the most important cameos of 'The Big Bang Theory,' Wil Wheaton is undoubtedly at the top of the list. The actor brought young Wesley to life in 'reality' in 'Star Trek: The Next' Generation, one of Sheldon's favorite series.
Photo: Amazon Prime Video
Buzz Aldrin was the second astronaut to have walked the moon, after Neil Armstrong. In the sitcom, he plays himself in a video that Raj sends to Howard.
Actor Charlie Sheen also played himself in one of the second season's episodes, in a memorable scene where he embarrassed Raj.
Another dream come true for Sheldon was to meet James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader in the 'Star Wars' saga.
Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock in the sci-fi television series Star Trek, never actually appeared physically, but he voiced a small Spock puppet ready to give advice to a doubting Sheldon.
Nathan Fillion was loved by the protagonists of 'The Big Bang Theory' for his role in Firefly. He appeared in one of the episodes playing himself as he made a (failed) attempt to escape his fans, Raj and Leonard, by pretending to be someone else.
Another actor who owes his popularity to the famous 'Star Trek' series is George Takei, who in 'The Big Bang Theroy' plays himself in a Howard fantasy.
In the same fantasy of Howard together with George Takei we also find the model Katee Sackhoff.
Another Sheldon idol to make his little appearance in the sitcom was Stan Lee, the famous and late writer/cartoonist who played himself to the delight of all fans.
Another 'Star Trek' character who made his little foray into 'The Big Bang Theory' was LeVar Burton. He did a cute duet with Sheldon in his 'Fun with Flags' column.
Photo: 'The Big Bang Theory'
One of the stars who said yes to a little cameo in the famous sitcom is Sarah Michelle Gellar, the ex-Buffy vampire slayer. Raj meets her on a plane heading to the Nobel Prize!
Actress and dancer Summer Glau played herself in a scene where Howard and Raj try desperately to impress her.
The incredibly nerdy side of our protagonists was undoubtedly satisfied by the appearance of Steve Wozniak, the famous computer scientist, considered one of the fathers of the personal computer. He promised Sheldon to autograph his first Apple computer.
Photo: Youtube
Astronaut Mike Massimino also intervened several times in the sitcom, playing himself as Howard's travel companion on the International Space Station.
The most significant and important cameo of the famous sitcom is undoubtedly that of Stephen Hawking, to whom the series owes so much... including the name!
The captain of the Enterprise, William Shatner, often mentioned in the series, could not miss the appeal of 'The Big Bang Theory.' He would make his appearance only in the last season.
Brian Greene is perhaps a less-known face to most, but he is considered among the greatest minds of the moment for having contributed to the famous String Theory, Sheldon's main field of study for almost 12 seasons.
Another cameo in the sitcom that delighted the main characters and all 'Star Wars' fans was Mark Hamill, the famous Luke Skywalker. He got to officiate Sheldon and Amy's wedding.
The famous actor of Armenian and Italian origins played the role of Flash Thompson in 'Spider-Man.' He appeared in the last season of 'The Big Bang Theory' as himself playing Dungeons and Dragons with Will Wheaton and William Shatner.
Another iconic presence is that of Carrie Fisher, the unforgotten star of 'Star Wars,' who played herself being tired of the jokes of her colleague James Earl Jones.
Photo: 'The Big Bang Theory'
It's impossible not to remember Howard's expression when he met Elon Musk, playing himself, at the soup kitchen in episode 9 of the 9th season!
Another unmissable cameo from the eleventh season of 'The Big Bang Theory' was that of Bill Gates, the billionaire entrepreneur who (literally) made Leonard cry when he met him.
There were also celebrities who did not come to the show as themselves but played a part in it. Technically not cameos, they are worth a mention too!
As Amy's parents in Season 11, there's comedian and magician Teller and the famed actress Kathy Bates.
Steven Yeun, best known for his character Glenn Rhee in the television series 'The Walking Dead', was Sheldon's housemate for a very short time.
Bob Newhart, the American actor and comedian, appeared in six episodes. He played Professor Proton, the childhood idol of Sheldon and Leonard. Newhart won his first Primetime Emmy Award for this achievement in 2013.
Billy Bob Thornton, the known American actor and director, plays a bizarre urologist infatuated with Penny.
Actress and singer Katey Sagal appeared several times in the sitcom as Penny's mother.
Another famous foray is that of actor Keith Carradine, who played Penny's father in the sitcom.
Do you remember the 80s show 'My Secret Identity'? Jerry O'Connell, an actor from that show, plays George, Sheldon's older brother, in the sitcom.