‘Big Bang Theory’ actors take pay cuts for female co-stars

Jim Parsons (right) as Sheldon and Mayim Bialik (left) as Amy, in a scene from the television series, “The Big Bang Theory”. AP file photo

Over the course of ten successful seasons, critically acclaimed sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” displayed a noticeable shift towards their focus on main characters.

In earlier seasons, the show revolved around their four male leads—Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg—alongside their complicated dynamic with Penny (Kaley Cuoco).

The inclusion of characters Amy Farrah Fowler and Bernadette Rostenkowski, played by Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch respectively, has contributed greatly to the show’s success.

Recognizing the duo’s value to the show, the lead actors have reportedly agreed to take $100,000 pay cuts from their $1 million per episode salaries for the upcoming seasons 11 and 12.

The money, as per Variety, will then be used to increase the salaries of Bialik and Rauch. Prior to their co-stars’ noble gesture, the two were making around $200,000 per episode.

Both actors entered the series as minor characters in season 3, but eventually became lead stars after seven years.

Bialik even earned four Emmy nominations for her role as Sheldon’s equally peculiar love interest. Khristian Ibarrola/JB