One of the major themes of The Big Bang Theory is growing older and maturing. Big Bang spans twelve years in-universe and out. Viewers follow the main characters through every facet of their lives as they develop their relationships, their careers, and their families.
Following the custom of this type of sitcom, viewers are introduced to The Big Bang Theory’s characters at a fairly young age, and the show follows them as they age in real-time. The characters are all at different stages of development and their careers. Even those who are introduced later in the show grow and change significantly by the time of the finale, making viewers wonder how old the Big Bang Theory characters are, including the titular character in Young Sheldon.
Updated on August 10, 2024, by Andrea Sandoval: The Big Bang Theory characters go from young adults to married couples, parents, and successful professionals. They have some of the most rich and insightful developments in television, especially for a sitcom, and many people may wonder what their actual age is. We updated this article to comply with CBR’s new format standards as well as add information about The Big Bang Theory’s characters’ ages and other important characteristics and milestones.
Leonard Hofstadter Is Not As Young As People Might Believe
Leonard Hofstadter Is 27 in the Pilot and 38 in the Finale, While Johnny Galecki Is Five Years Older
Leonard is 27 years old when he kisses Penny for the first time in “The Middle Earth Paradigm” episode.
Leonard is 33 years old, almost 34, when he proposes to Penny in “The Gorilla Dissolution.”
Leonard was 35 when he and Penny eloped in Las Vegas.
Full Name: Leonard Leakey Hofstadter
Birthday: May 17, 1980
Portrayed by: Johnny Galecki
Johnny Galecki’s Birthday: April 30, 1975
The de-facto protagonist, Leonard Hofstadter, is 27 in The Big Bang Theory’s very first episode. Despite being one of the older members of the group, Leonard is actually improbably young to be in the infancy of his career. Leonard is said to have received his PhD at 24, rather than the typical 26-30.
With this prodigious feat, Leonard is at the beginning of his career in Big Bang’s pilot. After nearly 12 years, he ends Big Bang at 38. During this time, he develops social skills, becomes part of several significant scientific expeditions, co-authors several papers, gets married, and fathers a child. He ends Big Bang as one of the most well-rounded characters, though many fans felt Leonard had lost his charm.
Raj Koothrappali Is The Youngest Among The Boys In The Big Bang Theory
Raj Koothrappali Is 25 in the Pilot and 37 in the Finale, and Kunal Nayyar Is Only a Few Months Older
Raj is 26 years old when he discovers he can speak to women while drunk in “The Grasshopper Experiment.”
Raj is 31 years old when he starts dating Lucy.
Raj is 36 years old when he almost marries Anu in the twelfth season of The Big Bang Theory.
Full Name: Rajesh Ramayan Koothrappali
Birthday: October 6, 1981
Portrayed by: Kunal Nayyar
Kunal Nayyar’s Birthday: April 30, 1981
At just 25 in the pilot, Raj Koothrappali is the youngest of the four main characters in The Big Bang Theory. Despite his young age, he has managed an impressive education, graduating with a PhD from the prestigious Cambridge University and being settled into his career.
Aged 37 in the finale, Raj has one of the more volatile careers. After working as a research astrophysicist — earning some fame and a mention in People magazine — Raj’s work ends. He becomes a research partner with Sheldon to avoid his visa expiring. Later still, he takes a job as a speaker at the Planetarium. He is the only main cast member to still be single at Big Bang’s end — despite attending the Nobel Prize ceremony with Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Stuart Bloom Is Surprisingly The Oldest Member Of The Gang
Stuart Bloom Is 34 in His First Appearance and 45 in the Finale, while Kevin Sussman Is Roughly 3 Years Older
Stuart is 35 years old when he asks Penny out in the second season of The Big Bang Theory, 13 years older than Penny.
Stuart was 36 years old when he met Stan Lee.
Stuart was 44 years old when he started dating Denise.
Full Name:Stuart David Bloom
Birthday:May 7, 1974
Portrayed by:Kevin Sussman
Kevin Sussman’s Birthday:December 4, 1970
Stuart’s status as a main/recurring cast member often changed throughout The Big Bang Theory. By the final season, he had been considered a main cast member for some years, receiving opening credits and getting his own storylines and character arcs. However, there’s no doubt Stuart is a favorite character from the show.
When he was first introduced in Season 2, Stuart was 34, the oldest member of the cast. Like many of the characters in The Big Bang Theory, Stuart struggles throughout his mid-30s. Still, he bounces back towards the middle of his 40s, with his comic book store increasing in popularity, and eventually starting a relationship with his assistant manager, Denise.
Bernadette Rostenkowski Goes From Her Mid-Twenties To Her Mid-Thirties
Bernadette Rostenkowski Is 25/26 in her First Appearance and 35/36 in the Finale, While Melissa Rauch Is Roughly 4 Years Older
Bernadette is 25 years old when she starts dating Howard.
Bernadette is 27 years old when she marries Howard.
Bernadette had her first daughter, Halley, in 2016, when she was 32 years old.
Bernadette had her son, Neil, in 2018, when she was 34 years old.
Full Name:Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz
Birthday:1984
Portrayed by:Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauch’s Birthday:June 23, 1980
Bernadette Rostenkowski’s exact age and birthday are not known, only that she was born at some point in 1984. Initially, she was either 25 or 26, but she did not appear until almost three years into The Big Bang Theory. By the time of Big Bang’s finale, Bernadette is either 35 or 36.
Bernadette develops a great deal, beginning as a Ph.D. student working at the Cheesecake Factory. Before long, she earns her doctorate and accepts a job at the pharmaceutical corporation ZanGen, becoming one of the most financially successful members of the group. In addition, Bernadette marries Howard and has two children, raising them while working.
Howard Wolowitz’s Is Roughly The Same Age As His Wife
Howard Wolowitz Is 25/26 in the Pilot and 37/38 in the Finale, While Simon Helberg Is Only Around 1 Year Older
Howas was 27 years old when he married Bernadette.
Howard was 27 years old when he went to the Moon.
Howard was 32 years old when he had his first daughter and 34 when he had his younger son.
Full Name: Howard Joel Wolowitz
Birthday:Between March 1 and September 30, 1981
Portrayed by:Simon Helberg
Simon Helberg’s Birthday:December 9, 1980
Howard Wolowitz’s exact age and birthday aren’t ever stated, but he was born sometime in 1981, making him older than Raj. He began The Big Bang Theory with his Master’s degree and settled in the engineering department of Caltech. Unlike the other characters of the show, Howard doesn’t have a PhD, a reason for which Leonard constantly teases him.
Howard begins as the most immature character, being lecherous and borderline predatory. By the end of the show, he gets married and becomes a father to two children, never losing his sense of humor. He worked on the Mars Rover, developed secret government projects, and became an astronaut, all before the age of 37.
