Over its 12-season run, The Big Bang Theory became known for its impressive roster of guest stars, including many iconic names from the Star Trek universe. However, one of the most memorable cameos came from Mark Hamill, the legendary Star Wars actor. Hamill appeared in the season 11 episode “The Bow Tie Asymmetry,” where he played himself in a hilarious and heartwarming storyline. Despite the joy of the experience, Hamill later revealed one regret about his time on the show.
Hamill’s Introduction to The Big Bang Theory
In his cameo, Hamill becomes entwined in the lives of the main characters when Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) finds his lost dog, fittingly named Bark Hamill. To repay Howard, Hamill agrees to officiate the wedding of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik).
However, Hamill admitted to being unfamiliar with the series when he first appeared on it. Speaking to Jessica Radloff for her book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Hamill revealed that he hadn’t watched much of the show before joining the cast for his guest appearance. While filming Star Wars: The Last Jedi in England, he began catching up on the series while exercising. “I would do the treadmill and notice they’d air four-hour blocks of Big Bang on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. “I’d measure my time in episodes—one episode, then two episodes, and eventually three.”
By the time he made his cameo, Hamill estimated he’d seen 30 to 40 episodes, but he regretted not having seen more. “It took me months, but I’ve seen them all now,” he confessed.
Discovering a Love for the Show
Hamill quickly became enamored with The Big Bang Theory, appreciating its humor and clever pop culture references. As a pop culture icon himself, he admired how the show playfully poked fun at franchises like Star Wars. “I had no idea how ingrained it was or how subversive their humor could be,” Hamill said, citing one joke about scheduling complaints during a Star Wars movie marathon as an example of the show’s wit.
Once he fully immersed himself in the series, Hamill wished he could have discussed specific moments with the cast and crew during his appearance. He particularly enjoyed episodes that referenced Star Wars, such as the trip to Skywalker Ranch or the iconic Star Wars opening crawl featured in “The Opening Night Excitation.” Reflecting on his experience, Hamill said, “Once I knew all of this, it would have really changed my experience. I became obsessed with it.”
Hamill’s Emotional Moment at Sheldon and Amy’s Wedding
Hamill’s role in officiating Sheldon and Amy’s wedding was a highlight of the episode. The scene was both heartfelt and humorous, with guests gushing over Luke Skywalker’s presence and peppering him with Star Wars trivia that he often couldn’t answer. Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) hilariously stepped in to fill the gaps.
During the vows, Hamill found himself unexpectedly moved by the touching speeches delivered by Sheldon and Amy. “I didn’t expect the emotion of the moment to happen to me,” Hamill said. “When it did, I got choked up. The whole episode was just so effortlessly well done.”
Jim Parsons praised Hamill’s presence, calling it a unique and beautiful addition to the wedding scene. “It was oddly intimate,” Parsons said. “For such a big moment, having someone who wasn’t familiar with the show added this wonderfully unexpected energy.”
A Fond Memory for Hamill and Fans
Though he initially regretted not knowing more about The Big Bang Theory before his appearance, Hamill’s experience ultimately deepened his appreciation for the show. His heartfelt and humorous cameo remains a standout moment in the series, delighting fans of both The Big Bang Theory and Star Wars.
