The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms of all time. Due to the success of the show, the main cast members made a considerable net worth and their careers took a turn for the best. For instance, Jonny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, and Jim Parsons were rumored to be paid $325,000 per episode during the first seasons of the show. But by 2014, the three were making $1 million per episode!
While their roles in TBBT are some of their most popular roles up to date, many of the cast had previous acting experience. For instance, Kaley Cuoco, Mayim Bialik, and Johnny Galecki all had started acting as kids, appearing in numerous films and shows before being cast in this hit series.
In fact, during the 90s, Bialik and Galecki appeared together in a popular sitcom. The pair, who were teenagers then, played romantic interests and even shared a kiss on-screen. And, in an interview with the rest of The Big Bang Theory cast revealed what it was like filming such a scene.
Johnny Galecki Landed His First On-Screen Acting Role at Age Twelve
Although many people probably only know him for playing Leonard Hofstadter in The Big Bang Theory, Johnny Galecki was already a successful actor before on this popular sitcom. He discovered his passion for acting when he was only four, telling his mother: “I'm gonna be on T.V., and I don't mean when I grow up.” His parents encourage his love for acting and took him to open auditions at local theaters in Chicago.
By age 11, Galecki was one of the best child actors in the Chicago theater scene and had even received a Joseph Jefferson Citation nomination. Then, when he was 12, he made his TV acting debut in the CBS miniseries Murder Ordained (1987). From then, he appeared in movies such as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and I Know What You Did Last Summer. He also appeared in TV shows such as American Dreamer and even became a regular cast member on the ABC sitcom Billy.
During his run on Billy, Galecki began making guest appearances on the hit ABC sitcom Roseanne as the younger brother of Mark Healy (Glenn Quinn), who dated Darlene Conner. This character was played by Sara Gilbert, who later appeared on The Big Bang Theory as one of Leonard’s romantic interests.
Before The Big Bang Theory, Mayim Bialik Was A Successful Child Actor
Nowadays, Mayim Bialik is better known for playing Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory. But her acting experience goes beyond that. Bialik began acting as a child back in the late 80s.
Her first roles included the horror film Pumpkinhead and Beaches (both in 1988) and guest appearances on TV shows such as The Facts of Life and Beauty and The Beast. She also appeared in the music video for Michael Jackson's song Liberian Girl in 1989.
She finally got her big break in 1990 when she was cast in the leading role of NBC’s sitcom Blossom. From 1990 to 1995, Bialik portrayed Blossom Russo, an Italian-American teenager living with her musician father and elder brothers, Tony and Joey.
Although Blossom was a huge success, Bialik didn’t get paid much for her role. On fellow Jaleel White's Ever Actor podcast, the TBBT star revealed that she didn't earn that much money from the show. "I did not have the kind of financial success that would’ve set me up for the rest of my life.” Despite this, starring in Blossom changed the course of her career for good.
After Blossom came to an end, Bialik appeared in Woody Allen’s comedy film Don't Drink the Water (1994) and worked as a voice-over actor for many animated series, including The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, Recess, Kim Possible, Johnny Bravo, and Hey Arnold!
However, she took a break from acting to pursue a college education. In 2000, Bialik earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience, with minors in Hebrew and Jewish studies from UCLA. She then went on to get a doctorate in neuroscience, proving she’s not only a genius on TV.
Mayim Bialik And Johnny Galecki Kissed On an Episode Of Blossom And Recreated The Scene Years Later
In 1991, Johnny Galecki appeared in an episode of the sitcom Blossom along with his future The Big Bang Theory co-star, Mayim Bialik. Titled “Sex, Lies and Teenagers,” the episode features Galecki as one of two boys Blossom and Six sneak off with to go to a party.
Bialik and Galecki got to tribute their first time acting together in an interview for Conan back in 2016. "We were both 14. We kissed," Bialik explained of Galecki’s guest star appearance on Blossom.
Galecki added that it was his first stage kiss, with Bialik adding, "It might have been my first real-life kiss also.” With a little push from their Big Bang Theory co-stars, the two actors were pursued to recreate their kiss.
