Behind the Scenes of TV History: Simon Helberg's 12-Season Commitment to 'The Big Bang Theory'

A key part of "The Big Bang Theory" success

Simon Helberg's portrayal of Howard Wolowitz on "The Big Bang Theory" was a transformative experience that helped shape him as an actor. Prior to landing this role, Helberg had appeared in several sitcoms, but none had the longevity of his 12-season commitment to "The Big Bang Theory."

In an interview with "Jake's Takes" host Jake Hamilton, Helberg described his time on the show as "the greatest course in acting that you could ever have." He spoke of the invaluable experience he gained from performing in front of a live audience every week, which helped him develop his skills and manage his nerves.

The success of "The Big Bang Theory" was nothing short of phenomenal, becoming the longest-running multi-camera sitcom in TV history in 2019. Helberg's portrayal of Howard Wolowitz was a key part of that success, as he brought to life a character who evolved over the course of the show.

Howard started out as a sleazy womanizer living with his mother, but his personality underwent a significant transformation when he met Bernadette Rostenkowski (Melissa Ivy Rauch) in Season 3. The couple eventually got married, started a family, and even saw Howard's career as an aerospace engineer at Caltech take off when he was given the opportunity to travel into space.

Despite his character's flaws, Helberg came to love playing Howard as he grew and evolved over the course of the show. In an interview for the book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series" by Jessica Radloff, Helberg revealed that he wasn't always fond of Howard's behavior before he started dating Bernadette. "People were very unhappy with some of the things that Howard would do or say, and I was like, 'Yeah, I agree,'" he admitted. However, as Howard's heart grew and he shed his sleazy exterior, Helberg found that playing him became more enjoyable.

Overall, "The Big Bang Theory" was a groundbreaking show that showcased the talents of its cast, including Simon Helberg. His portrayal of Howard Wolowitz was a highlight of the series, and his experiences on the show helped shape him as an actor.