Summary

• Simon Helberg had to do an impression of Stephen Hawking in front of him on The Big Bang Theory.
• Hawking decided to stick around on set and watch the show's cast rehearse scenes.
• Helberg's impression of Hawking received his seal of approval.

From the outside looking in, it seems like the stars of The Big Bang Theory like Simon Helberg had a dream job. After all, the show's cast became rich, they got to take on other roles, they reportedly got along, and fans want to know what they are up to now.

However, every job has its lowlights and while it may be hard to imagine, starring in a sitcom can be very difficult at times. A perfect example of that is the fact that Simon Helberg once had to do something extremely uncomfortable in front of Stephen Hawking. During an interview with Conan O'Brien, Helberg revealed what was so awful about it...

Simon Helberg Was Scared Of Offending Stephen Hawking On The Big Bang Theory

In April 2012, Simon Helberg was interviewed by one of the best talk show hosts of all time, Conan O'Brien. During the resulting conversation, Helberg spoke to O'Brien about what it was like to have Stephen Hawking make a cameo appearance on The Big Bang Theory. Unfortunately for Helberg, he revealed that one aspect of working around Hawking made him very uncomfortable.

By the time The Big Bang Theory came to an end, the list of icons who'd appeared on the show was long. Even still, there is a caliber of celebrity that is such a big deal that even people who are used to rubbing elbows with the elite will be excited by them.

With that in mind, O'Brien asked Helberg about his experience working around Hawking for the first time. O'Brien began this conversation by asking Helberg whether he'd gotten to meet Hawking, which sent the Big Bang Theory actor off on an incredibly awkward story.

Immediately after Helberg spoke about getting to meet Hawking, he revealed it was a unique experience. "I did, I did get to meet him and it was so surreal."

As Helberg explained, he wasn't initially supposed to work around Hawking when the famed theoretical physicist made his debut TBBT cameo. Instead, Hawking was simply supposed to film a scene with Jim Parsons.

However, once Hawking got to The Big Bang Theory's set, he decided to stick around to see more of the process behind the scenes. As Helberg explained to O'Brien, Hawking watched as the show's cast rehearsed other scenes.

"He had shot a scene at Cal Tech, and he wanted to watch a run-through, a rehearsal. And he, they asked if it was okay with us, uh, for this genius to come down and we, of course, said yes, and it was just so surreal. They opened the giant stage doors, and he was like, silhouetted from behind, and he had this entourage."

In theory, it is easy to see why acting in front of Hawking could be thrilling. After all, Hawking is one of the most influential people of the last century. On the other hand, it is easy to see why anyone could be intimidated to act in front of Hawking. After all, Hawking is one of the most influential people of the last century.

Who are the best The Big Bang Theory guest stars according to Collider?

• Billy Bob Thornton
• Steve Wozniak
• Regina King
• Mark Hamill
• Adam West
• Carrie Fisher
• Stan Lee
• Stephen Hawking
• James Earl Jones
• Bob Newhart

In Helberg's case, however, he had a much more specific reason to be freaked out about the idea of acting in front of Hawking. As Helberg explained to O'Brien, the script called for him to do something in front of the famed theoretical physicist that the actor feared would deeply offend Hawking.

"I had to do this scene where I did an impression of him, for him, in front of, and it's kind of... I mean it's, you know, he's severely disabled, and I am kind of making fun of his voice... And so, I have to do this thing where I, in front of him, and it had to be. I asked the producers to clear it... I mean I didn't want him to stand up and beat me. No, I did not want to pick on him. He's brilliant and, and, it's not fair."

Ultimately, Helberg wound up performing his imitation in front of Hawking, much to his dismay at the time. As Helberg went on to explain to O'Brien, however, Hawking was a great sport about the entire thing.

"I did the impression. I, my heart was beating through my chest and I stood up and saluted him after in the middle of the scene and he smiled."

After revealing that he got Hawking's seal of approval, Helberg instantly reflected on what that moment meant to him. As Helberg explained to O'Brien, seeing Hawking smile at his impression was a huge deal for the actor.

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"It was really one of the craziest things..." Helberg then went on to make a joke about Hawking's much gossiped-about love for women. "And he really lit up when he got to meet Kaley from the show."

Stephen Hawking's The Big Bang Theory Cameo Was Years In The Making

When stars like James Earl Jones, Carrie Fisher, and William Shatner made cameos on The Big Bang Theory, that made perfect sense. After all, those actors are all nerd icons and the show was about that culture. While that same thing applies to Stephen Hawking, there is another reason why his TBBT cameo was more meaningful.

As a July 2023 Screen Rant article written by Cathal Gunning pointed out, Simon Helberg's character referenced Stephen Hawking early on.

"What made Hawking’s appearance such a clever surprise in season 5 was that this cameo paid off a set-up from The Big Bang Theory’s pilot. In the show’s first episode, Howard imitated Hawking in an off-color joke."

During Helberg's aforementioned appearance on Conan O'Brien's show, he also referenced that early impression. Helberg then went on to explain that Hawking was one of the Big Bang Theory's most wanted cameos.

"I had done an impression of [Stephen Hawking] in the, uh, in the pilot and a few times throughout the show. And so, you know, we had always mentioned him. He'd always been sort of, obviously, this dream guest, and they got him."