"The Big Bang Theory" Is Officially 16 Years Old — Here Are 12 Side-By-Sides Of The Cast Then Vs. Now

The Big Bang Theory aired its first episode 16 years ago, and the cast has changed quite a lot since then.

It's officially been 16 years since The Big Bang Theory premiered on CBS. The show went on to have 12 seasons and 280 episodes, and it became one of the biggest comedy series to date. So to celebrate, let's take a look back at the iconic cast members in their first movie or TV roles vs. on the show vs. in real life:

@kunalkarmanayyar / Via instagram.com

1. Johnny Galecki's first role in 1987:

CBS / Via youtu.be

Johnny's first role came in 1987, when he starred as Doug in the TV movie Murder Ordained opposite Keith Carradine, JoBeth Williams, and Kathy Bates. From there, he went on to appear in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and the TV show American Dreamer before landing his breakout role as David Healy in Roseanne. 

Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Johnny Galecki now:

@sanctionedjohnnygalecki / Via instagram.com

After The Big Bang Theory, Johnny notably reprised his role as David Healy in the Roseanne reboot The Conners. 

2. Jim Parsons's first role in 2002:

NBC / Via youtu.be

Jim's first role was in the TV series Ed in 2002, and he starred in numerous stage productions. He went on to appear in a few movies and shows before landing his breakout role as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory.

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Jim's work on The Big Bang Theory earned him four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Jim Parsons now:

Getty Images / GLAAD

After The Big Bang Theory ended, Jim appeared in Hollywood and The Boys in the Band. He's also executive-produced a few shows, like The Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon, where he also narrates the series. Up next, he can be seen in the 2022 film Spoiler Alert.

3. Kaley Cuoco's first role in 1992:

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Kaley's first role came in 1992, when she starred in the movie Quicksand: No Escape. From there, she appeared in several movies and shows like My So-Called Life, Northern Exposure, and more. In 2002, she landed her breakout role as Bridget Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules.

Kaley Cuoco as Penny on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Kaley Cuoco now:

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Since wrapping The Big Bang Theory, Kaley has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her work as Cassie Bowden in The Flight Attendant, which she also produced. Most recently, you can catch her in the rom-com Meet Cute opposite Pete Davidson.

4. Simon Helberg's first role in 1999:

Buena Vista Pictures

Simon's first movie role was in 1999, when he appeared as "College Roommate" in Mumford. He then went on to appear in numerous movies and shows, including A Cinderella Story, Undeclared, MADtv, Joey, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, before The Big Bang Theory.

Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Simon Helberg now:

Emma Mcintyre / Getty Images

Since The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, Simon has appeared in several movies, including Annette, As They Made Us, and Space Oddity.

5. Kunal Nayyar's first notable role in 2007:

CBS

Kunal's first notable role actually came right before The Big Bang Theory, when he appeared in an episode of NCIS in 2007. 

Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Kunal Nayyar now:

@kunalkarmanayyar / Via instagram.com

After wrapping The Big Bang Theory, Kunal went on to star in shows like Criminal: UK and Suspicion. 

6. Melissa Rauch's first role in 2006:

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Melissa's first onscreen credit is for the film Delirious in 2006. From there, she went on to appear in movies like I Love You, Man and Adventureland, as well as the show Kath & Kim, before landing her breakout role in The Big Bang Theory.

Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Melissa Rauch now:

@melissarauch / Via instagram.com

Since The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, Melissa has lent her voice to shows like Robot Chicken and Animaniacs. She's currently filming her upcoming series Night Court.

7. Mayim Bialik's first major role in 1988:

Buena Vista Pictures

Mayim's first notable role was in 1988, when she appeared as Young CC in Beaches. From there, she appeared in TV shows like The Facts of Life, Empty Nest, MacGyver, Doogie Howser, M.D., and more before landing her breakout role as Blossom Russo on Blossom.

Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Mayim Bialik now:

Michael Tran / AFP / Getty Images

Since wrapping The Big Bang Theory, Mayim has gone on to star in the sitcom Call Me Kat, and she's now a cohost of Jeopardy. She also directed the film As They Mad Us, which starred Simon Helberg.

8. Kevin Sussman's first notable role in 1996:

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After he appeared in a few TV episodes, Kevin's biggest role came in 1999, when he was in Liberty Heights opposite Adrien Brody. From there, he went on to appear in several big movies and shows, including Almost Famous, Wet Hot American Summer, Sweet Home Alabama, ER, Ugly Betty, and My Name Is Earl.

Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Kevin Sussman now:

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

After The Big Bang Theory, Kevin went on to star in The Dropout opposite Amanda Seyfried, and he appeared in the final season of Better Call Saul. Up next, he'll star in the TV adaptation of Lessons in Chemistry alongside Brie Larson.

9. Christine Baranski's first notable role in 1982:

New York Shakespeare Festival / Via youtu.be

After appearing in a few TV episodes, Christine made her first notable screen debut in a filmed version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A prolific stage actor prior to making the jump to the big screen, she went on to appear in numerous TV shows and movies like Cybill, To Dance With the White Dog, Cruel Intentions, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Mamma Mia, Into the Woods, The Good Wife, and many, MANY more.

Christine Baranski as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Christine Baranski now:

Hippolyte Petit / Getty Images

Since last appearing in The Big Bang Theory, Christine has continued to star in The Good Fight as Diane Lockhart, which will end its run in 2022. She's also starring in the HBO Max series The Gilded Age.

10. Wil Wheaton's first role in 1981:

ABC / Via youtu.be

Wil's first onscreen role came in 1981, when he starred as Donald in the TV movie A Long Way Home. From there, he appeared in several TV shows before landing his breakout role as Gordie Lachance in Stand by Me in 1986. Then, the following year, he began starring as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Wil Wheaton as himself on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Wil Wheaton now:

Jesse Grant / Getty Images / Paramount+

Since last guest-starring on The Big Bang Theory, Wil has appeared in episodes of Supergirl and S.W.A.T., and he notably reprised his role as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: Picard in 2022.

11. John Ross Bowie's first notable role in 2000:

DreamWorks Pictures

After appearing in a few episodes of Upright Citizens Brigade, John had his first notable role when he appeared in Road Trip in 2000. He went on to appear in shows like Undeclared, Charmed, Girlfriends, Reno 911, Psych, Monk, Heroes, and many more.

John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

John Ross Bowie now:

@johnrossbowie / Via instagram.com

While appearing on The Big Bang Theory, John starred in Jumanji: The Next Level and the short-lived series Speechless. Most recently, he's appeared on shows like Generation, Feel Good, United States of Al, and The Rookie.

12. And finally, Laurie Metcalf's first notable role in 1981:

NBC

Following a notable early theater career, Laurie made her first big TV appearance in 1981 as a "Weekend Update" correspondent on an episode of Saturday Night Live. She went on to appear in a few movies and shows before landing her breakout role as Jackie Harris on Roseanne.

Laurie Metcalf as Mary Cooper on The Big Bang Theory:

CBS

Laurie Metcalf now:

Gary Gershoff / WireImage / Getty Images

While guest-starring on The Big Bang Theory, Laurie notably received acclaim for her work as Marion McPherson in Lady Bird opposite Saoirse Ronan. Most recently, she appeared in The Dropout, and she won an Emmy Award in 2022 for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Hacks. Currently, she's still playing Jackie on the Roseanne spinoff series The Conners.