The Mind-Blowing Paychecks: Unveiling The Astonishing First and Final Episode Salaries of The Big Bang Theory Cast!
The salaries of The Big Bang Theory cast for the first and final episodes varied significantly, with some starting as low as $20,000 and others reaching up to $1,000,000
Summary
The Big Bang Theory cast salaries increased significantly over the course of the show, with the main cast earning over one million dollars per episode by the final season.
Secondary actors such as Wil Wheaton, Kevin Sussman, and John Ross Bowie received a substantial paycheck ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 per episode, despite not being part of the main cast.
By the end, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, who joined the show later, earned approximately $425,000 per episode, slightly less than the main cast. Kunal Nayyar and Simon Helberg also experienced a noteworthy salary increase from $45,000 to $1,000,000 as the show progressed.
The Big Bang Theory quickly gained worldwide popularity, breaking records and attracting a massive audience. As a reflection of its high demand, the cast of the show earned substantial salaries. This quirky sitcom lasted an impressive 12 seasons, and by the end, the main cast members were earning over one million dollars per episode. (via ET Online). Throughout the series, the lives and relationships of a group of scientists from different fields, who befriended their neighbor, underwent significant changes. Having dedicated twelve years of their lives to entertaining audiences as nerdy scientists and amusing friends, it is undeniable that the cast continued to amass greater wealth as the show soared in popularity and stayed at the forefront of everyone's attention. The disparity between the salaries of the cast in the first and last seasons is astonishing.
Wil Wheaton: $20,000
In terms of supporting characters, salaries for secondary actors on the show did not typically fluctuate throughout its duration. Wil Wheaton, who portrayed himself, was no different. Initially, The Kiwi Report published an article revealing that he earned $20,000 per episode, although this article has since been removed. However, other recurring guest stars were paid $50,000 or more for each appearance, so it is plausible that Wheaton's earnings were higher.
Despite only appearing in 17 episodes, Wheaton left a lasting impression. Devoted fans of The Big Bang Theory, especially those who identify as geeks, already adore this Star Trek icon, despite his character being one of the show's less likable personalities.
Kevin Sussman: $50,000
Kevin Sussman's salary remained stagnant despite his growing prominence as a character in the series. Stuart Bloom, initially an acquaintance who ran a comic book store, eventually became an integral part of Howard and Bernadette's lives and was adored by everyone as a secondary character. According to Affair Post, Sussman earned $50,000 per episode for his appearance in 84 episodes, making it a substantial paycheck albeit lower than the main cast members of The Big Bang Theory.
John Ross Bowie: $50,000
Starting in 2009, this secondary character, much like Kevin Sussman, earned approximately $50,000 per episode until his final appearance in 2019, according to Tuko. John Ross Bowie brilliantly portrayed Barry Kripke, who became an iconic figure in The Big Bang Theory, appearing in a total of 25 episodes. As one of the show's most intelligent supporting characters, Barry served as both a rival and a delightfully irritating nemesis to the main characters. Although his salary remained consistent throughout, his role in the show evolved over time, with Barry transitioning from a underdeveloped villain to a friend.
Mayim Bialik: $45,000 - $425,000
Mayim Bialik initially joined the show as a supporting character and Sheldon's love interest in season 3. Despite this, she began earning a decent salary from the beginning. As time went on, she evolved into a central character within the show. Amy's journey included developing a close friendship with Penny and her romantic relationship with Sheldon, resulting in some of the most compelling storylines on The Big Bang Theory.
Both Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch earned less than the rest of the main cast because they joined the show later. However, they still earned approximately $425,000 per episode towards the end of the series, albeit less than the other major characters. Their absence in the earlier seasons played a role in their gradual increase in pay (via THR).
Melissa Rauch: $45,000 - $425,000
Similar to the actors portraying Raj and Howard, the actresses who played Amy and Bernadette often negotiated their salaries and discussed their respective growth together. Melissa Rauch, who portrayed Bernadette, joined the show in season 3 as Howard's love interest. Her character gradually developed over time, leading to Bernadette marrying Howard and starting a family. By the end of the series, she was earning over $425,000 per episode.
Interestingly, the other five main cast members voluntarily decreased their salaries by $100,000 each so that Bialik and Rauch could receive a fairer compensation (via The National Post). Although they didn't catch up to the rest of the cast, they still received significant salaries as the show concluded.
Kunal Nayyar: $45,000 - $1,000,000
Raj and Howard's friendship on the show is known for being incredibly sweet and endearing. Despite being key characters, they ranked fourth and fifth in terms of significance on The Big Bang Theory. The main focus of the show often revolved around the core trio of Sheldon, Penny, and Leonard. Surprisingly, Raj, Howard, and Leonard did not always earn as much as their counterparts, even though they were present since the show's inception. When Kunal Nayyar started playing Raj, he earned a respectable salary of $45,000 per episode, which is quite impressive for a sitcom (via TV Overmind). Over time, his salary tripled to $150,000 in season 2, and then continued to soar, reaching $600,000 in seasons eight and nine. Eventually, in the 12th season, when negotiations occurred for salary increases for the main cast, Kunal Nayyar surpassed the one-million-dollar mark.
Simon Helberg: $45,000 - $1,000,000
Simon Helberg received a salary increase of identical magnitude to his co-star, Kunal Nayyar. Their roles were relatively comparable in terms of character importance and screen presence, and this parity was upheld consistently throughout the entirety of the show.
Furthermore, both actors ascended to the ranks of the highest-paid television actors during the latter seasons, amassing over $20 million annually. Simon Helberg's deserving of this recognition as well, as no one can envision Howard being portrayed by anyone else.
Kaley Cuoco: $60,000 - $1,000,000
The cast's top three members, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, and Jim Parsons, have gained significant recognition through their salaries. Known for portraying Leonard, Penny, and Sheldon respectively, these actors play crucial roles in the show. Cuoco, in particular, embodies the character of Penny perfectly and can be considered the main protagonist. Without her presence, the major storylines of the series would not have unfolded.
Cuoco, Parsons, and Galecki engaged in salary negotiations during the show's progression. Cuoco experienced a similar trajectory in terms of salary growth as Parsons and Galecki did. Eventually, she reached the one million-dollar milestone in terms of The Big Bang Theory cast salaries, making her the second-highest-paid actress in the world at that time.
Johnny Galecki: $60,000 - $1,000,000
Johnny Galecki and his co-star Jim Parsons had a similar salary throughout the entirety of the show. As Leonard, Galecki played a pivotal role and this was evident as the series progressed. His character's career and relationship with Penny developed over time, while Penny herself went through personal growth. In the final season, like the rest of the cast of The Big Bang Theory, Galecki's salary saw a significant increase, amounting to one million dollars per episode. This notable increase in earnings placed him among the highest-paid actors, highlighting his significance to the show. From the pilot episode to the finale, Galecki's portrayal of Leonard made him one of the key and indispensable characters in this beloved comedy, making it unsurprising that he earned a salary comparable to that of Cuoco and Parsons.
Jim Parsons: $60,000 - $1,000,000
Jim Parsons will forever be remembered as Sheldon Cooper by television fans, regardless of their level of devotion to the show. Initially, Parsons earned a salary of $60,000 which gradually increased to around $300,000 in the middle seasons. However, his income nearly quadrupled towards the end. In season 8, Parsons was earning over 1 million dollars per episode, making him the highest-paid actor on television according to Forbes.
Although the exact amount Jim Parsons received for narrating the prequel series Young Sheldon remains undisclosed, there were rumors that he earned $1.5 million more than his Big Bang Theory co-stars during the final season of the flagship show, as reported by The Things. Since the main cast had negotiated pay increases for salary parity, it can be assumed that Parsons' additional earnings were attributed to his involvement in Young Sheldon. The exact truth behind these rumors, and whether the amount has since changed, however, remains unknown. What remains certain is that the salaries of The Big Bang Theory cast underwent significant changes from the first episode to the series finale.
