10 Big Bang Theory Guest Stars You Totally Forgot About!

Over a span of 12 seasons, “The Big Bang Theory,” a renowned sitcom, captivated audiences worldwide, earning a place among the most successful television comedies ever produced. This series centers around a circle of intellectually-inclined scientists and their often humorous encounters with one another and the broader world. With its celebration of nerd culture and science-infused humor, it has garnered an immense fanbase and showcased some of the most prestigious guest appearances by celebrities in television history.

Boasting numerous well-known guest roles and cameos, some stand out remarkably, such as James Earl Jones’ practical joke of ringing and running on Carrie Fisher (from Star Wars) or Wil Wheaton playing a recurring character, a self-absorbed, darker version of himself. Other striking appearances feature Mark Hamill, Stephen Hawking, Stan Lee, and William Shatner.

In this collection, you’ll find 10 more memorable guest stars from The Big Bang Theory, some of which you might not remember seeing!

10
Eliza Dushku

Season 4, Episode 7 – “The Apology Insufficiency”

Eliza Dushku gained recognition in the ’90s and ’00s, gracing both the big screen and television with her presence. Some of her notable movie roles include True Lies, Wrong Turn, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. On TV, she was well-known for portraying Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998-2003) and its spin-off series Angel (2000-2003). In 2010, she made an appearance on The Big Bang Theory in Season 7, Episode 4, playing Angela Page – an FBI Special Agent who scrutinized Howard’s background before allowing him access to work on a new project.

As Expected, Things Don’t Go to Plan

As a dedicated cinephile, I found myself immersed in a scene where the friends of Howard were interviewed to gauge his character. Yet, they seemed to falter under Angela’s captivating presence and commanding aura, each one inadvertently complicating matters for Howard even further. Raj, usually reserved, could only muster the courage to engage with her when under the influence, while Sheldon, engrossed in his own tales of dealing with the FBI, paid little heed to Howard’s predicament. On the other hand, Wolowitz saw an opportunity to charm the agent, attempting to win her affections.

9
Sarah Michelle Gellar

Season 12, Episode 24 – “The Stockholm Syndrome”

Besides Eliza Dushku, it’s not just Elizabeth Rohm from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” who has made guest appearances; Sarah Michelle Gellar, the very protagonist of the show, has done so as well. At one point, she appears on screen as herself, sharing a flight with the primary characters and later attending the same Nobel Prize ceremony.

Unsurprisingly, Buffy and Sarah Michelle Gellar Are Much Loved by the Characters

It’s not surprising that Leonard, Howard, Sheldon, and Raj, who all love sci-fi, fantasy, ‘nerd’ culture, and cult TV shows, are big fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When they find out Sarah Gellar is among them, their deep-rooted admiration is evident in their shocked expressions, jittery excitement, and awkward attempts to impress her.

8
Elon Musk

Season 9, Episode 9 – “The Platonic Permutation”

In the early days, when Elon Musk was recognized more for his technological inventions than his controversial, attention-grabbing, and politically opinionated self that we know today, he made a guest appearance on an episode of The Big Bang Theory, specifically in the ninth episode of the ninth season. This visit furthered the show’s tradition of featuring real-life scientists and technologists, such as Stephen Hawking and Steve Wozniak, who had appeared before him.

Elon Musk Was Working in a Soup Kitchen at a Homeless Shelter

2015 saw Howard interacting with Elon Musk at a homeless shelter’s soup kitchen during a Thanksgiving episode. As they both served those in need, their mutual passion for space exploration brought them closer. This encounter, while not particularly remarkable at the time, makes one ponder what the response might be now, given Musk’s increased fame.

7
Howie Mandel

Season 6, Episode 4 – “The Re-entry Minimization”

In an episode titled “The Re-Entry Minimization“, renowned entertainer and actor Howie Mandel was featured, where he joined forces with Howard, who had just returned from realizing his long-held dream of journeying into space via a space flight.

There’s a Hilarious Mix-Up Between ‘Howard’ and ‘Howie’

Upon reaching the airport with Mandel, Howard overhears people cheering “Howie” and rushing to snap photos. Thinking they’re welcoming him back from space, he strides into the spotlight to give a speech, but is cut off by Mandel who clarifies that the crowd was actually there for him. This amusing misunderstanding showcases the witty humor of the series, blending awkward social faux pas with pop culture references.

6
Charlie Sheen

Season 2, Episode 4 – “The Griffin Equivalency”

During that period, Charlie Sheen was acting in Chuck Lorre’s sitcom “Two and a Half Men”. In a brief guest role, he made an appearance on “The Big Bang Theory” at a party where Raj was celebrating the recognition of a planetary object he had discovered. Excitedly announcing his upcoming feature in “People” magazine, Raj drew Charlie Sheen’s attention who retorted humorously, “Mention me when you make the cover.

Charlie Sheen Is Not a Fan of the Show

In a 2013 interview during the promotion of his new series, Anger Management, Charlie Sheen expressed his dislike for his cameo appearance. He openly criticized the show, calling it “stupid,” “lame,” and “about lame people.” He also referred to it as “a piece of trash.” Furthermore, he stated that Two and a Half Men had paved the way for the existence of this show.

5
Adam West

Season 9, Episode 17 – “The Celebration Experimentation”

After an upsetting childhood event where he was mistakenly told that Batman would come to his birthday celebration, Sheldon confesses he’s never truly enjoyed a birthday party since. As a kind and considerate act, his friends successfully engage Adam West, the well-known actor famous for playing Batman in the ’60s, to participate in his party.

Adam West Isn’t the Only Guest Cameo

The situation becomes more delightful for Sheldon as Professor Stephen Hawking, his idol, initiates a video call and participates with them in singing “Happy Birthday”. Throughout the series, Hawking graced the screen on several occasions, appearing in a grand total of seven episodes.

4
Nathan Fillion

Season 8, Episode 15 – “The Comic Book Store Regeneration”

Nathan Fillion is most recognized for portraying the main character Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds in the series Firefly and its sequel movie, Serenity. He makes an appearance on The Big Bang Theory as himself, casually eating at a deli. However, keeping a low profile turns out to be more challenging than expected when he is recognized by Raj and Leonard.

An Awkward Encounter

After being identified, Nathan Fillion at first disputes that he’s an actor, but upon further inquiry, he concedes the truth. However, Raj becomes wary and challenges Fillion to verify his identity by responding to questions about his “Firefly” character. The whole interaction is both amusingly awkward and delightfully geeky, showcasing “The Big Bang Theory’s” knack for leveraging its celebrity cameos.

3
Kevin Smith

Season 12, Episode 16 – “The D&D Vortex” and Season 8, Episode 20 – “The Fortification Implementation”

Kevin Smith is widely known as a prominent figure in nerd culture. The passionate comic book fan and director of beloved films such as Clerks and Mallrats proved to be an ideal fit for The Big Bang Theory. Initially, it’s his distinctive voice that we hear on the show during Season 8, when he appears as himself on Wil Wheaton’s podcast and offers Penny a chance to audition for a new Clerks movie.

Kevin Smith Returned in Season 12

In one of the series’ star-studded episodes ever, Kevin Smith reappeared to hang out with Penny, Amy, and Bernadette, together with William Shatner, Wil Wheaton, Joe Manganiello, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for a round of Dungeons & Dragons. The event might be best remembered for Shatner’s long-awaited appearance on the show, but it was also enjoyable to see Smith adding his own share of humor, jokingly asking Shatner to contribute a dollar to the Star Trek jar after he threatened to unleash his Wrath of Khan persona on them.

2
Christopher Lloyd

Season 10, Episode 10 – “The Property Division Collision”

In 2016, the renowned character actor famous for his parts in “Taxi,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and “Back to the Future” made an appearance on “The Big Bang Theory.” In this episode, he portrayed Theodore, an elderly man who moved into Sheldon’s room after Sheldon intentionally sublet it to him as a way of annoying Leonard.

Lloyd Brings His Trademark Eccentricity

Theodore possesses a peculiar charm and an amusing lack of awareness towards the commotion happening nearby. His unique mix of casual, understated humor and Lloyd’s distinctive oddness introduces a somewhat dreamlike quality into the relationships, as he carries on with his activities in a carefree manner, offering unexpectedly helpful suggestions that turn out to be more effective than anticipated.

1
Billy Bob Thornton

Season 8, Episode 7 – “The Misinterpretation Agitation”

In a different phrasing: Billy Bob Thornton portrayed a successful yet socially awkward doctor who mistook Penny’s flirtatious sales tactic as genuine affection. Upon learning that Penny was with Leonard, he enticed them and their companions to his basement brimming with science fiction collectibles, imprisoned them, and set off to pursue Penny again. The situation became increasingly surreal as he developed feelings for Amy during his pursuit and eventually fell for Bernadette too.

Billy Bob Thornton’s Appearance Was Miraculously Kept Under Wraps

Even in this era when spoilers often surface ahead of broadcasts, it’s impressive that the Oscar winner’s appearance was managed to remain a secret, adding an extra layer of surprise to the experience. Both viewers and critics appreciated his multi-dimensional performance as a complex character who was both entertaining and bewildered.

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2025-03-09 05:33