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The Big Bang Theory — airing from 2007 to 2019 — will go down in history as one of the most successful sitcoms to ever hit the small-screen. The premise was simple: a group of socially awkward yet academically-advanced scientists find a friend in a beautiful aspiring actress. Yet, from this foundation, the series expands, bringing on new faces throughout the years. However, the original cast remains the show’s typifying quality. 

The Big Bang Theory cast
Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch from the cast of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ | Rich Fury/Getty Images

From Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons to Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg, each primary actor portrayed a character with that good ole’ sitcom shtick. You had Raj: the guy who couldn’t bring himself to talk to women unless intoxicated. The one who still lived with his mom: Howard. The less smart, but somewhat socially aware one: Leonard. And, the completely socially oblivious physicist who doesn’t realize that bluntness can be mistaken for rudeness: the iconic Sheldon Cooper. And, don’t forget Penny — the pretty actress who makes her money as a waitress. 

Yet, now that The Big Bang Theory is over, what’s in store for the primary cast members? Who will boast the most successful career outside the hit sitcom? Based on existing evidence, one candidate seems the most likely to steal the spotlight following The Big Bang Theory: Jim Parsons. 

Inside Jim Parson’s co-stars on ‘The Big Bang Theory’

Before diving into Jim Parson’s accomplished portfolio, let’s take a gander at the others from The Big Bang Theory. First up: Kaley Cuoco. Cuoco received a Razzie award for Worst Supporting Actress in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Trip, and has starred in a handful of flops in the last few years, including but not limited to Authors Anonymous, The Wedding Ringer, and To Be Fat Like Me. Then there’s Johnny Galecki who’s failed to make a name for himself outside Roseanne and The Big Bang Theory. 

As for Simon Helberg, he seems to be climbing the ladder quite well, just not at Parson’s pace. However, it is important to note that he starred across from Meryl Streep in the successful film Florence Foster Jenkins. Last but not least, Kunal Nayyar isn’t known widely outside The Big Bang Theory, though he did lend his voice to Trolls and is set to appear in the TV series Suspicion, which is currently filming. 

Diving into Jim Parson’s success

Jim Parsons won four primetime Emmys for his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, outpacing his co-stars who failed to snag any for their performances in the show. Furthermore, he was nominated for the Emmy after appearing in The Normal Heart as Tommy Boatwright. 

Jim Parsons also starred on Broadway in Ryan Murphy’s The Boys in the Band, which will be coming to Netflix (Parsons will play the same role he did on the stage). Speaking of Ryan Murphy, Parson can also be seen as Agent Henry Wilson in Netflix’s Hollywood, which recently became available for streaming. 

Parsons has also appeared in Hidden Figures, A Kid Like Jake, Home, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, and more. In short, during and after The Big Bang, the actor starred in a handful of box office successes and critically acclaimed releases. Parsons has already managed to shake his identity as Sheldon Cooper — despite being the most intimately connected to his character (if going by award wins). When it comes down to it, Parsons seems to have quite the future ahead as a major movie star and television actor; he’s already ahead of his sitcom co-stars..not that it’s a race. Right? 

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