Top 30 Memorable The Big Bang Theory Guest Stars

Man, nerds get all the best guests! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the guest stars and celebrity cameos that made the biggest bang on “The Big Bang Theory”. Our countdown includes cameos by Adam West, Katee Sackhoff, Mark Hamill and more! Do you have a favorite “Big Bang” cameo? Let us know in the comments.
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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.
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[@joermnyc]

Teller as Amy’s dad was also hilarious. And yes he can talk!

[@paul16451]

Yes, he has no issues with talking. Even in his early days he would usually come out at the end of the show to speak with audiences. He also did lots of interviews before this appearance, saying his perceived silence is nothing more than his stage character.

[@frankbrodie5168]

"Live long and suck it!" is the greatest line in TTBT for me. And I love pretty much everything about the show.

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Also the fact that no one on set knew he was going to wear the Star Trek uniform. Made that whole scene so much better knowing that afterwards 😂

[@selysia]

My favourite is in fact Wil Wheaton. I love every single appearance of him on the show, him playing an "evil" version of himself was such a good idea 😁

[@JuJuBeeJulez]

“Don’t make me climb over this counter” Octavia was not about to play with him 😂

[@DateMike22]

Octavia was also hilarious playing Meemaw's (played by Annie Potts) probation officer on Young Sheldon.

[@vickistine9388]

Favorite guest!

[@liveicelive]

She was ready to throw hands

[@rebeccamcnutt5142]

I love how it was basically the same character she played on Seinfeld 😂

[@Hyperbole77]

That line was ad libbed. She was actually that angry with him during the making of the scene.

[@nicolepowell5470]

Glad you told me who Rick Fox was. My favourites were James Earl Jones and Carrie Fisher bloody hilarious

[@RayBaird-sy2ok]

Buzz Aldrin wasn't the only astronaut on the show. Remember Michael Massimino? He was hilarious!

[@gregmichael8473]

And he came up with Froot Loops as Howard's nickname.

[@dominiquejeannin4510]

The Bob Newhart episodes were pure gold, he should be closer to number 1.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

Fun fact. Bob newhart wanted the producers to announce him on the show because he was afraid people wouldn't recognize him but the producers decided not to. He got a 5 minute standing ovation when he first appeared and shed some tears from it

[@DrivermanO]

Should have been number 1

[@clcf1231]

His Emmy win was from one of those episodes, as well as a couple more nominations from his appearances in TBBT.

[@sheridan140]

Agreed!

[@francisbtube]

No number 1.

[@herdzskyj5477]

My favourite was Kathy Bates as Amy's mom and Christine Baranski as Leonard's mom.

[@user-larryfutch]

Laurie Metcalf should have been in this countdown, but maybe she was not considered to be a guest star, but more recurring status.

[@badbiker666]

I must agree with your comment that Katee Sackhoff and George Takei had incredible chemistry when they appeared in Howard's fantasies. They were both, individually, awesome in that episode as well. I don't know much about her, except for her role on Battlestar Galactica, but I was impressed with how well she handled the TBBT part. George Takei , on the other hand, is one of my all time favorites! Would I like to see them together in something again? Oh HELL yes!!

[@Eva_H]

Katee was also in season eight of 24 as a love interest for Freddie Prinze Junior (ironically he would go onto voice Kanan Jarrus Star Wars rebels) and Star Wars TCW S3-S7, two episodes of Star Wars rebels and reoccurring in the Mandalorian as Bo Katan Kryse.

[@luedanger561]

My favorite "cameo" is Penny's mom who is played by actress Katey Sagal. I absolutely love Katey. She's been in a bunch of my favorite sitcoms and series

[@DateMike22]

Yeah she's great and it was a reunion for Katey Sagal and Kaley Cuoco since Katey played Kaley's mom on 8 Simple Rules before Big Bang Theory.

[@DavidZ4-gg3dm]

We never see Penny's sister, and none of the characters say why she isn't with their brother & parents when they visit.

[@rwwilson21]

hell of a job on futurama, that's for sure.

[@luedanger561]

@@rwwilson21 Married With Children (1st, og MILF), Hyde's mother in That 70s Show, Penny's mom in TBBT, Futurama, Sons of Anarchy... In all honesty she is my favorite actress of all time

[@rwwilson21]

@@luedanger561 Yeah, she's great.

[@abigailaceves9230]

Kinda cool that TBBT have guest stars that have some scenes of nerdiness, either through their occupation in the science world or the pop culture world.

[@bartoszdulas1703]

Network: How many Star Trek legends cameos do you want in the show? Chuck Lorre: Yes

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

It would have been nice if they had found a way to include Seven and Janeway or the Doctor somehow, but what we did get was lots of cameo / guest stars anyway from legendary Trek actors. It was all good!!

[@lh412]

I love that Octavia Spencer guest stared on Young Sheldon too.

[@ivanborsuk1110]

and on hidden figures

[@miguelsilva3867]

I actually thought that Wil Wheaton and Bob Newhart should have been top 5 since they made the most cameos and the most memorable.

[@marcelsgroot]

yes but are they not more recurring characters then cameo?

[@beckyhalvorsen2126]

I really enjoyed Kathy Bates and Teller as Amy's parents. Who knew Teller could speak!

[@edwardvalentino3835]

Thank You

[@raynevonwerner8695]

His breathless "thank you" to Penny was epic, I must say! 😂

[@user-lv5zz7wv6l]

Also Octavia Spencer recently appeared in young Sheldon

[@joshuampinganjira97]

Regina King should be on this list. She was great as Human resources manager at the University

[@lw3269]

Yes! Second only to Bob Newhart.

[@francisbtube]

I disagree so much. She says the most annoying line I have ever heard on Television from any character. When she said to Sheldon Cooper, “I don’t understand what that means, but I’m going to go ahead and tell you, you can’t say that”… I just had to shake my head and metaphorically weep. It’s a line that’s indicative of everything wrong with the culture we now live in. For two reasons a) the ridiculousness of taking a stand on something one doesn’t understand and b) the fact that we now live in a society where we are told what we can say and what we can’t. The writer George Orwell in his book 1984 predicted this kind of behavior in the future when he published his novel in June 1949. That’s why I found it not funny but profoundly disturbing this would be written into a sitcom and have the studio audience be encouraged to laugh about it. This isn’t a comment about the show that I still am watching in reruns or King who is talented and accomplished, but her character just bugged the heck out of me every time she made an appearance. Anyway mate just IMHO, no offense meant. Have a great day!

[@chelseacanales8763]

I still laugh when Sheldon made a mistake and fainted in front of Stephen Hawking

[@nancyjay790]

Oh great. Another fainter.

[@Unversed333]

​@@nancyjay790Yeah, at least it wasn't the first time it happened to Hawking.

[@trinaq]

I love that none of the characters recognised Neil Gaiman, just writing him off as a random guy in the comic book store. 😂

[@peterriverajr6899]

I would have recognized him

[@brentvance3958]

Who?

[@DanaPAH]

​@@brentvance3958Famous British Scifi author whose best known work is called Neverwhere. He also cowrote Good Omens, which was adapted into an Amazon original show (starring David Tennant).

[@TheSpicer64]

I always thought it was weird that none of them recognized Doc Brown

[@CrabbyO]

Honorable mention: Paul Willson from Cheers and Adam Nemoy.❤❤❤ I see you, bros.😊 Also, Sheldon's dad from Young Sheldon (Lance Barber) plays Leonard's high school bully.😉

[@sockygaldamez9492]

All of these celebrity cameos were awesome❤️ my personal favourites were Mark Hamill James Earl Jones, Carrie Fisher and Stan Lee and Will Wheaton 😄

[@amitmeir8109]

Not even an honourable mention to Sean Astin, Kathy Bates, Teller, Katey Sagal or Neil Gaiman?

[@jimmyfrench4722]

Yeah, this was the perfect topic for honorable mentions.

[@francisbtube]

This is indicative of almost every Mojo video whether it’s Ms. or the other one and makes me wonder why they get so many views.

[@brianbenoit6883]

or Kal Penn, Yeardly Smith, Kate Micucci, Keith Carradine Jack McBrayer, Jerry O'Connell, Steve Merchant, , Kevin Smith, Ira Flatow, Joe Manganiello, Stephen Root, Sarah Rue, Judy Greer, Lou Alcindor, Casey Sander, Christine Baranski, James Hong and I'm sure many others I can't remember at the moment.

[@z165012]

DJ Qualls was great, and really with reoccurring roles, Brian Posehn as Bert the geologist...one of the funniest guys out there...amazing standup, always goofy characters

[@audrablue515]

They were two of my faves as well. Love Brian Posehn as Bert. Gotta find me a geologist of my own! 😂😂

[@alvahv]

Brian Posehn is great but my all time favorite thing he’s done is still covering Kenny Rogers’ ‘The Gambler’

[@emiliobello2538]

I wonder how did Sheldon deal with the deaths of Adam West, Stephen Hawking and Carrie Fisher?

[@blueraccoon1088]

Don't forget Stan Lee

[@charliecomer6001]

Knowing him, not well.

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

Most of us didn’t deal well with Carrie Fisher’s death. ☹️

[@marcelsgroot]

Still love that line: how about a picture with a guy that looks like nathan fillion but a little more anoyed then nathan fillion usually is

[@stephendaurie9344]

Although not mentioned and only making one brief appearance, Howie Mandel was one of my favorites

[@kathrynolsen1256]

That made me laugh so much.

[@queasylagumo]

Good point at the end. Why wasn't Keith Carradine or even Katey Sagal mentioned?

[@DrivermanO]

Keith Carradine was superb in more than one episode.

[@user-zw1yp7fy7v]

No mention of comedian Lewis Black

[@teresacarosella7624]

I'm surprised you didn't mention caradine. Also, although Leonard nimoy only had a voice over, after he passed away, his son appeared as himself making a documentary about his dad and interviewing sheldon.

[@Scottie_S]

Adam actually ended up making that documentary for real. It's great!

[@Cookieboymonster1962]

Hawking would also be a candidate for best cameo on The Simpsons. After getting into an argument with another character Hawking says to him threateningly, "If you are looking for trouble you found it."

[@markwallerich1455]

What about George Smots and Lewis Black?

[@DavidZ4-gg3dm]

Bernadette is upset when she finds out about Howard's sexual history, despite her admitting that she's had many more lovers than he's had.

[@craigsavarese4554]

What about James Hong??

[@MsMojo]

Who's your favorite guest appearance from the show? Share your top picks below and let's reminisce together!

[@joycef2705]

Stan Lee Steve Wozniak Billy Bob Thornton

[@lacrartezorok4975]

How can you convince someone to go with you to the Nobel Prize ceremony? I think "would you like to go to the Nobel Prize ceremony?" may work.

[@stuartomahony5364]

My memorable guest Stars Eliza Dushku Summer Glau Adam West Adam Nimoy Yeardley Smith Wil Wheaton Levar Burton William Shatner Billy Bob Thornton Bob Newhart Nathan Fillion Sean Astin

[@stuartomahony5364]

Kal Penn

[@gr8witenorth61]

yes, steven hawkings, was the best thing that ever happened on bbt................what a great show it was............👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@bigezy29]

Bob Newhart sould be in the top 5

[@roygo10]

I liked Christopher Lloyd on the show but having him as the actual actor that the guys would meet and bother would have been EPIC.

[@syarifahazlinasyedazauddin2180]

octavia spencer was the parole officer in young sheldon and dmv officer in big bang! lightbulb!

[@jijogjacob]

sheldon would have met his match if he confronts steve urkel

[@sonicfan11589]

I meet Christopher Lloyd on the set of queen bees, he was nice. I also meet Jane curtain (she was so nice) and James caan and french Stewart. Some of the celebrities on this list my relative whose in the entertainment industry has meet. I heard Kathy Bates was very nice

[@PoolKid75]

Putting George Takei directly above William Shatner is a troll, admit it.

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

Keith Carradine as Penny's dad should have been at least an honorable mention.

[@user-lv5zz7wv6l]

Hawking was hilarious on the show

[@shawnadams1460]

I have been lucky enough to meet most of these celebrities in person! Stan Lee, Adam West and Burt Ward, Shatner, Tekei, Burton, Summer Glau. We finally got a Con here in D.C. in 2013, and thanks to my daughter wanting to do a Cosplay for 2014 their reactions in person were absolutely AWESOME! We were watching Spaceballs and she turns to me when Barf was on screen and goes "OMG...YOU HAVE TO DO BARF!!!" I told her I would ONLY do it if she went as Dark Helmet, especially since she has the height thing down (5 foot nothing...lol) As my Thumbnail shows...I made a pretty good Barf!! Every single celebrity we have met over the past 10 years has reacted amazingly to it. From Burt Ward yelling out "Holy Spaceballs Batman!" to getting a "Spaceballs...OH MY!!" from Takei...everyone geeks out about something, so like the characters in this show, dont be afraid to let that geek flag fly y'all. You would absolutely be surprised to see how many people enjoy the things you do!! 😁

[@carolynmeinung1286]

And so many more. Thank you. Excellent blast from the past.

[@NesconProductions]

James Earl Jones cameo was priceless (& with fantastic writing on the show..)! James really worked the 'Dark Side' of Sheldon on that episode 😁. It was great that Mr. Jones & Carrie Fisher had the opportunity to work (truly) together, not long before she passed and on such a awesome show! Also kudos to Bob Newhart & his role on the show, a somewhat underrated comedy legend.

[@blueraccoon1088]

I like Brian George (raj's dad) since he was the voice of the the guru from avatar the last air bender and salim alkupar I'm a sly cooper fan i didn't like sly 4 but I'm glad he's a recurring voice actor.

[@marcialefebvre5365]

He also played Dr. Bashir's father on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

[@anncosten3222]

God, i miss this show. Total classic.

[@jeffcolorado]

An impressive list if guests, for sure. Of these, I had the chance to meet Buzz Aldrin a few years ago. He's a very nice guy.

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy monday, Rebecca, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well.

[@chefdean7257]

Katee Sackhoff & George Takei DO have a spinoff show together. It's called The Clone Wars.

[@COMPFUNK2]

Elon Musk is a humble person? Is there a second Elon Musk I don’t know about?

[@Beth_Alice_Kaplan]

Well, since they already had an alternative universe Wil Wheaton…

[@justmeandthethree]

I thought the same thing. Elon Musk is an unmitigated, narcissistic a--hole.

[@ozen100]

nimoy was at the cheesecake factory and sign a napkin for penny,which she gives to sheldon to grow baby spocks

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

The signed napkin gift at Christmas by Penny to Sheldon, led to the famous Sheldon hugs Penny scene!! Sweet moment.

[@GaryCrowellSr]

Judging from the comments, you need to do a top 100.

[@jimmyfrench4722]

Top 3 are great, otherwise how was this order determined??? Plus, Nimoy had an early appearance, in part, in my fav episode where Sheldon was gifted a bit of his DNA. And Teller should’ve been top 10…I mean he spoke for the show?!?!

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

All awesome. Another that could have been added was Astronaut Mike Massimino.

[@Dirk-van-den-Berg]

You missed Nobelprizewinner George Smoot.

[@blueraccoon1088]

24:23 the empire strikes back 😆

[@johnglielmi6428]

Would not matter that Sheldon deletes LeVar Burton's contact info. He has an Eidetic memory so he would remember it anyway! Billy Bob Thornton was also the "Astronaut Farmer"

[@christophecamus8410]

Cool video thanks

[@MsMojo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brandonnewby178]

Me to George Takei: told her? How? You said women like to be courted slowly, and they ain't even left the damn car 😂😂

[@user-ThomReec8587]

I liked the eposodes with Penny's family but I think my favourite was the 1 with Summer Glau

[@nycava0520]

I always thought that Harrison Ford would be on the series completing the Star Wars main characters.

[@TheKingOfTheGeeks25]

I like the idea of Darth Vader pranking his daughter Leia. Ding dong ditch

[@EvilTheOne]

First off, thank you very much for NOT being an annoying AI channel...those suck so bad! With the omissions you purposely left out, you know that you could've made this a top 60...regardless, thank you for the walk down memory lane. DJ Qualls Judd Hirsch Sara Gilbert Regina King Michael Trucco Laurie Metcalf Brooke D'Orsay Keith Carradine Katey Sagal Jack McBrayer Howie Mandel Vernee Watson Yeardley Smith Judy Greer Lewis Black Lance Barber Sara Rue Stephen Root Kathy Bates Jodi Lyn O'Keefe Kate Micucci Riki Lindhome James Hong Raymond Joseph Teller Joe Manganiello Courtney Henggeler Kareem Abdul- Jabbar Jessica Walters Christine Baranski Kevin Smith

[@darrylrossetti394]

Mark Hamills t shirt is a meld of mickey mouse and the mandalorians logo.

[@rcisneros8567]

OMG. I'm such a nerd. I can't get this stupid smile off my face.

[@sburris65]

How did you overlook Kathy Bates?????

[@privatenexus5764]

22:20 I understand Bsrk Hamil is specific to mark. But the best Star Wars name for a dog is one used in a comedy ad in Aus, where the dog names itself "Chewbaaaaarker"

[@BenE8844]

I really hated the Bill Bates episode. I didn’t like how it ended between Leonard and Penny.

[@DerSystematiker]

Glad Stephen is also your #1. He was an incredible human being. I've never met him but damn, do I miss him. He's one of the very few "celebrities" that really changed the course of my life - to the better. Thanks Stephen.

[@regould221]

Katey Sagal and Penny's mom. She fits into the space Sci-Fi crowd with her voice on Futurama.

[@stuartomahony5364]

Judd Hirsch

[@blueraccoon1088]

26:00 keep elon away from me

[@kathrynolsen1256]

I keep hoping he’ll be on the next rocket.

[@jefformsby5604]

Yeah, what a jerk. Bought Twitter and cut way back on censorship. What a monster.

[@lrich8181]

@@jefformsby5604 You like censorship?

[@jefformsby5604]

@@lrich8181 It’s called sarcasm Rich. These knobs are acting like they’ll get cooties from Elon. Apparently TDS now has a drinking buddy. EDS.

[@Venom71717]

My favorites are Kathy Bates and Mark Hamil.

[@katherineknapp4370]

Epic

[@bletz421]

That poor dog got so scared when he yelled mark Hamel

[@blueraccoon1088]

4:17 GREAT SCOTT!

[@user-larryfutch]

Lance Barber as Leonard’ bully…..who went on the play Sheldon’ dad in Young Sheldon.

[@4Just1Girl]

And Does anyone recall the BBT episode where Bernie _Bernadette takes one of howard's comic books to ask Stuart if He could find or locate a duplicate comic for her so she could replace the one she accidentally ruined? When Stuart took her to check another comic store we are introduced to Stuart's business comic store Rival. Jesse? THAT WAS ACTUALLY JOSH PECK, Who was on the Disney Channel Kid show, Drake and Josh. Josh Peck was the actor who Played Stuart's "enemy" Jesse!!

[@ChrisThomas-tv6cx]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned actor & politician, Kal Penn.

[@catw6998]

I remember the episode with Sheldon and JEJ. It was funny when he rang Carrie Fisher’s doorbell and ran off. I think he did it like 3 or 4 times before she came out ready to blast him away. Yet, another spoof from the Blues Brothers, when Carrie came after John Belushi. Same big guns used in the movie, Star Wars. I think it was the same.

[@peterriverajr6899]

Where can i get one of those doors

[@InservioLetum]

Ohgod WHYYYYY did you have to bring up The Help. That pie made me hurl when it happened and you just abotu brought my breakfast up referencing it.

[@paulstein7369]

Plenty of young men & young women do not have a strong role model of HOW TO SURVIVE in a rough AF world. Accepting hard truths is more difficult than canceling someone who you will not accept their truths. Much love Buddy.

[@COMPFUNK2]

2:12-2:18 - “Athletically inclined” would mean that they _are_ good at athletics; I think you meant athletically challenged.

[@nelsonmoody4686]

Did you catch Howard trying to teach Teller the classic linking rings trick?

[@blueraccoon1088]

21:40 same time as Rebecca says it "Frak!"

[@COMPFUNK2]

Judy Greer

[@CelebrityHeart]

Wil Wheaton is my favourite guest star. Wil Wheaton was my favourite in Stand By Me

[@cweaver4080]

Newhart #1

[@mikee3798]

If if's and buts were full of candy and nuts we'd all have a merry Christmas.

[@RONRIFFLE]

DJ Qualls was great

[@mysticgirl]

Hawking was 100% the best! Don't know if Christine Baranski counts as a cameo, but she was hilarious as Leonard's mom, particularly in the season 2 and 3 episodes!

[@tk848]

They forgot DJ Qualls!

[@brandonnewby178]

Gotta have Faith! 😁😁

[@Yazhasa]

stop after first.... Dollhouse?!?!?

[@joester4life]

James Earl Jones and Billy Bob Thorton did it best.

[@englishtea9163]

My favourite are Professor Proton and Mark Hamill.