Top 10 Best The Big Bang Theory Characters
The Big Bang Theory introduced audiences to a group of lovable, quirky, and sometimes downright frustrating characters who made nerd culture mainstream. From socially awkward geniuses to strong-willed women who kept them in check, the show's cast brought a mix of humor, heart, and plenty of awkward moments. Whether you were drawn in by the scientific banter, the unexpected friendships, or just the hilarious misadventures of these characters, there was always someone on screen who kept you entertained.But which characters truly stand out as the best? Do you think the most brilliant minds in the group deserve the top spots, or do the characters with the biggest personality transformations deserve more credit? Maybe you prefer the ones who delivered the best one-liners, or maybe it is the most relatable ones that win you over. Whatever your reasoning, your votes help decide who belongs at the top.
Sheldon Cooper is a theoretical physicist with an IQ of 187 who works at Caltech and has difficulty understanding social norms. He has an eidetic memory and adheres to strict routines, often displaying behavior associated with obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I would love to have him as a roommate because I love the idea of a super clean place. People act like he's crazy, but he's profoundly gifted and needs that balance. The roommate agreement seems unfair, but I'm sure if you follow it, the agreement works better.
This character is hilarious, relatable, and I argue the nicest. He tries to be nice, doesn't curse, attempts to cheer up his sad friends, and doesn't drink tons of alcohol. People say he's socially awkward, but he has a point sometimes. For example, gift-giving makes no sense. If I give you $50 for your birthday, and you do the same for me, where have we gotten?
So all in all, he's a logical person with some quirks that would be super fun to share an apartment with.
Rajesh Koothrappali is an astrophysicist originally from India who works at Caltech and initially struggles with selective mutism around women. He has a strong interest in romantic relationships and popular culture, particularly comic books and movies. He was much more enjoyable to watch in earlier seasons because of his inability to talk to women. But he was still funny because of his very evident feminine side, arguably more than the girls themselves.
Towards the end, I kind of felt sorry for him, like Stuart, because he was the only one without a relationship.
Being an Indian myself, I disliked his character much in the beginning. Recent episodes prove he is the driving factor of this show with his intelligent comedies and body language.
He's really funny. I love his accent. Kunal was on Conan and he said the word "ghost" and sounded like he said "gosht." Wishing I spoke like that naturally.
Howard Wolowitz is an aerospace engineer with a master's degree from MIT who works on projects for NASA. He is known for his eccentric fashion sense and lives with his mother until he marries Bernadette Rostenkowski. As charismatic as Sheldon is, I have to admit that Howard is the best of the show, and I laugh most because of him, especially his earlier stuff before he met Bernadette. Also, how is Raj above him? His character was ruined once he could talk to women without alcohol.
The show would suffer the most if he left. Stuart is the most underrated, as even his facial expressions can make you laugh.
I would say Howard is the most successful of the men by far. An astronaut, he has his own device on the ISS and collaborated with Leonard and Sheldon on a guidance system. Howard has contributed more to humanity than the others.
Leonard Hofstadter is an experimental physicist with a Ph.D. who shares an apartment with Sheldon Cooper. He has a history of struggling with self-esteem due to his upbringing and has an on-again, off-again relationship with Penny before they marry. I think Leonard is a sweet and honest character and really should be higher on this list. He does not mock his friends' achievements or control them like Sheldon. He doesn't make racist or sexist jokes like Howard, and he isn't as helpless or needy as Raj.
He holds the group together well and is romantic and loving to Penny, despite the fact she acts like she is doing him a favor by being in a relationship with him and sometimes treats him like dirt. Leonard is not sexually needy like Amy or cruel like Bernadette. He keeps the show interesting and forgives all the other characters for their faults. He even put up with Sheldon for years because he knew the man needed him to be the adult and was willing to go through the roommate agreement so his friend lived in more comfort.
He never invades other characters' privacy (okay, he reads Penny's diary one time but does try to make it up to her), and he respects each person's interests and culture. He is romantic, funny, and honestly a beautiful character. He doesn't get enough credit for everything he does. He does it because he loves his friends and really should be higher on this list.
Penny Hofstadter is an aspiring actress who works as a waitress before transitioning into a career in pharmaceutical sales. She is married to Leonard Hofstadter and often serves as a social bridge between her scientist friends and the outside world. Penny is Sheldon's soulmate. They understand each other, tolerate each other's foibles, and had a great relationship test episode where they came surprisingly close to the line. They connect much better than any other couple on the show.
The criticism they level at each other is mostly superficial because they respect each other's strengths, which are completely opposite and complementary. I wish, I wish, I wish this show had evolved so that Penny and Sheldon had become the power couple. It would have been so much funnier and more entertaining by season 11 than the flat story we are saddled with now between Sheldon and Amy. Will that never end?
Amy Farrah Fowler is a neuroscientist with a Ph.D. who initially meets Sheldon Cooper through an online dating site. She becomes his girlfriend and later his wife, sharing his intellectual interests but striving to improve his social skills. Why is Amy sixth? She is an amazing character! Her growth during the series, her love for Sheldon, and how much she puts up with is really something. She is a bit of all the characters.
My favorites, in order, are: Amy (a bit weird in the earlier series), Sheldon (too self-centered and insulting), Howard (after all the creepy stuff of the first few series), Leonard (too easily controlled), Bernadette (too mean), Penny (too arrogant), and lastly Raj (his interactions with women other than Emily and Lucy make me cringe). This is my favorite show, and I love all of the characters dearly.
Bernadette Rostenkowski is a microbiologist with a Ph.D. who works in pharmaceutical research and is known for her high-pitched voice. She is married to Howard Wolowitz and eventually becomes the primary breadwinner in their household. She's so funny and never fails to make me laugh! I love her attitude, and despite her cute, tiny appearance, she can be quite vicious. People hate her for her viciousness and how she acts towards Howard, but I find that a funny part and important to her unique character.
I love that Bernadette is very sweet, tiny, and quiet, so it comes as a complete shock when she says she's very vengeful. She's secretly kick-butt and tough, all wrapped up in a high-pitched voice, small, sweet, and funny package. Bernadette is my favorite character!
She has some of the best lines in the history of the show and, in my opinion, is the best character by a mile. The show just isn't the same without her.
R.I.P. Carol Ann Susi (Mrs. Wolowitz)
Don't know what she looks like. She is such an old hag, and that makes her the best character!
I remember a quote when Howard is in bed with Leslie, and he asks if she's Jewish but she isn't. After she shouts, OK! You two have fun up there! One of my favorite BBT quotes ever!
Stuart Bloom is the owner of a comic book store that is frequented by the main characters and often struggles financially. He is socially awkward and has difficulty forming romantic relationships despite his attempts to integrate into the group. Stuart really hit it during Sheldon and Amy's wedding, with his confident handling of Mark Hamill. I hope he gets more scenes like that. And maybe he will finally find true love with Denise!
This guy needs some love here. He's a poor, lonely comic book store owner who is not greedy or conceited and will help others for just a small morsel of acknowledgment.
Let's be honest. He owns a comic book store. Without him, how would the guys visit a comic book store to have their famous talks and debates over superheroes?
Barry Kripke is a physicist at Caltech who speaks with a rhotacism and often antagonizes Sheldon Cooper. He enjoys practical jokes and is competitive in both academic and social settings. He should be considerably higher! He is brilliant. Every word he speaks makes me laugh out loud!
He talks funny, but there's nothing wrong with that. I love when he messes with Sheldon.
He's definitely one of my favorites. Just an entertaining, and often unexpected, interlude.
The Newcomers
I love this character in Young Sheldon. He is the best character, sacrificing everything for his family.
The coolest female character of the show. Feisty, smart, and doesn't hold back to get what she wants. She can take on anyone on equal terms and then some. That makes her very sexy in my book. Sara Gilbert did a terrific job.
Leslie is the second funniest character on The Big Bang Theory. Sara Gilbert is brilliant!
I love Leslie so much. Her and Sheldon's arguments are hilarious. She should be higher!
Wil Wheaton is an actor who initially serves as Sheldon Cooper's nemesis but later becomes his friend. He plays a fictionalized version of himself and frequently appears at social gatherings with the main characters. It makes me laugh when he tricks Sheldon during that card game by telling him his grandmother died. After he wins, he tells Sheldon his grandmother isn't dead. Sheldon should have known it was a trick, and he believed it anyway.
He played in Star Trek and is awesome at this. What more do you need?
He was amazing in Star Trek and is amazing in The Big Bang Theory!
I wish Penny would cheat on Leonard with Zack, and then Leonard wants a divorce.
Not very smart, but still a great guy.
Just, it's such a funny contrast. Like, he makes Penny look clever.
He's cool. He encourages Leonard to keep trying with Penny, which indicates that he knows a good guy.
The reason why he doesn't appear on the show anymore is because the actor who played him died.
They never should have killed him.
She's so pretty and Sheldon's complete opposite. I laugh when she kicks Sheldon in the nuts after he suggests that she donates eggs. Bad idea, Sheldon!
Missy is definitely super hot. How is she related to Sheldon?
She's just as crazy as Sheldon. And to think she's Leonard's mother.
I love Alex! Got to be my favorite.
Penny is a close second.
I'm glad they made Emily a main character. She is the prettiest girl on the show, and she and Raj are the cutest couple. I would like to see the show start to focus more on Emily and Raj than Penny and Leonard.
I think Emily and Amy should be best friends, like Penny and Bernadette are.
Raj and Emily are adorable together! I want to see more of her.