These ‘The Big Bang Theory’ actors claimed a whopping $1 million per episode salary for the show.
The Big Bang Theory is one of the highly recognized flagship sitcoms centering on four nerds alongside two scientists and, of course, Penny. The show has been a huge success, thanks to the excellent performances of the main characters as well as everyone that appeared as supporting actors.
The primary stars of the show also saw a huge increase in their salary as the show progressed. Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco’s Penny, are two of the most prominent characters in the show— the driving force of the sitcom that essentially reflected contrast that reflected sheer comedy. The duo was also two of the highest-paid actors in the series. Here is the list of highest-paid The Big Bang Theory stars whose salary bump reached a million
Simon Helberg
The Big Bang Theory has a roaster of talents, but some of the central cast of the show witnessed high increases in their salary over the years. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, the CBS flagship sitcom has 12 seasons with a total of 279 episodes to its credit. Simon Helberg, who went on to claim the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work as Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory, had a lucrative salary throughout the show.
Helberg earned $1 million per episode in the later seasons of the hit sitcom garnering $22-24 million per year in total earnings (per Celebrity Net Worth). Prior to his salary boost to a million, the actor earned $800,000 per episode. Helberg currently has a $55 million net worth.
Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco’s $110 million fortune mostly came from The Big Bang Theory. Cuoco, who played an aspiring actress from Omaha, Nebraska, Penny, started off with a $45,000 per episode salary for the first season (per CNW). The actor saw a boost in her salary in seasons 2-4, earning $200,000 per episode.
Her salary was further increased to $350,000 per episode by seasons five through seven. By seasons 8, 9, and 10, she earned $850,000 per episode. And in the final two seasons, 11 and 12, Cuoco claimed about $1 million per episode like her original co-stars.
Johnny Galecki
Johnny Galecki played Leonard Hofstadter, an experimental physicist, and Sheldon Cooper’s roommate and a devout lover of his neighbor, Penny. Hofstadter, Cooper, and Penny are the three original characters that appeared throughout the seasons. Galecki earned $60,000 per episode at the beginning of his The Big Bang Theory tenure (per CNW). From seasons 2-4, the actor claimed $250,000 per episode.
The increase in salary was further extended by seasons 5 to 7 as he earned $350,000 per episode. In the years between 2017 and 2019 until the end of the acclaimed series, Galecki has a $900,000 per episode salary. However, that was not all. With their 1 percent of the show’s backend equity, Galecki and the main cast will continue earning from the show. Also, he was the second-highest-paid actor in the world.
Jim Parsons
Primarily, the main cast of the show has seen the highest increase in salary. Jim Parsons started off with a $60,000 payday per episode, which in the middle seasons jumped to $300,000. By season 8, the actor was the highest-paid actor on television, claiming a whopping $1 million for every episode (per Forbes).
Stream The Big Bang Theory on Max.
