It’s hard to imagine The Big Bang Theory without its iconic cast, including Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, and Kaley Cuoco. However, the show initially considered other actors for its leading roles before settling on the perfect ensemble. Notably, Marisa Tomei auditioned for the role of Penny, which was initially played by a different actress in the show’s unaired pilot. Kevin Sussman also auditioned for the role of Howard Wolowitz, ultimately landing a supporting character instead.
Among the notable actors approached for the series was Macaulay Culkin, best known for his childhood role in Home Alone. In a 2018 interview with Joe Rogan, Culkin revealed that he was pursued for a role on The Big Bang Theory but turned it down multiple times, citing his discomfort with sitcoms and their general format.
During the interview, Culkin explained, “I couldn’t see myself doing a sitcom or a television show kind of thing. A good one, I’d do. Like, NewsRadio is a fantastic show.” He recounted how the pitch for The Big Bang Theory felt off to him: “They pursued me for The Big Bang Theory, and I said no. The way the pitch was, it was kind of like, ‘Alright, these two astrophysicist nerds and a pretty girl lives with them. Yoinks!’ That was the pitch.” He further shared that despite their persistent efforts, he remained uninterested, even as his manager tried to convince him.
Who Could Culkin Have Played?
Although Culkin didn’t specify which character he might have portrayed, his name came up in discussions about casting. In Jessica Radloff’s oral history, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, casting director Ken Miller revealed that Culkin was initially considered for the role of Leonard. Miller stated, “Macaulay Culkin was also someone we pursued for Leonard in the first pilot.” Fellow casting director Nikki Valko added that Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator, was a fan of Culkin and believed he had a unique quality that could work well for the character.
Despite having a positive meeting with Culkin, co-creator Bill Prady noted, “We had a terrific meeting with Macaulay… and then we heard that he had decided he wasn’t interested.” Fortunately, Valko suggested Galecki for the role, leading to Galecki’s casting as Leonard. Miller remarked that from the moment Valko read the script, she felt that “Johnny Galecki is Leonard,” which ultimately shaped the show’s future.
Culkin’s Post-Big Bang Success
Culkin later acknowledged in his interview that turning down The Big Bang Theory may have cost him a substantial payday. “I’d have hundreds of millions of dollars right now if I did that gig,” he admitted, adding, “But at the same time, I’d be bashing my head against the wall.”
Despite this, Culkin has managed to navigate the challenges of child stardom and carve out a successful career as an adult actor. After his early successes with films like Home Alone, My Girl, and Richie Rich, he took a break from acting to focus on his education. He returned to the spotlight with a role in Madame Melville in London’s West End. Most recently, he appeared in the tenth season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series American Horror Story, portraying a character named Mickey.
In December 2023, Culkin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his status in the entertainment industry. While he may have turned down a lucrative role on The Big Bang Theory, it’s clear that Culkin has forged a successful path in his career without it.
