REPORT‘The Big Bang Theory’ Cast Takes Pay Cuts to Give Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch Raises
This is awesome!
According to a new report, the five main cast members on The Big Bang Theory are all taking pay cuts in their new CBS contracts to give co-stars Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch raises.
Multiple sources recently revealed to Variety that Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg will each decrease their salaries by $100,000 for Seasons 11 and 12 of the hit show to free up $500,000 for Mayim, 41, and Melissa, 36.
Melissa (left) and Mayim (right) on Big Bang in 2012. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
If their new contracts come to fruition, Mayim (who plays neuroscientist Dr. Amy Fowler) and Melissa (who portrays microbiologist Dr. Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz) will each earn roughly $450,000 per Big Bang Theory episode going forward. That would add up to a $21 million total salary for 48 shows over the next two years for the actresses. They were previously earning about $200,000 per episode.
The two stars joined the long-running CBS comedy for Season 3 in 2009. The five original cast members — Jim, 43, Johnny, 41, Kaley, 31, Kunal, 35, and Simon, 36 — have all appeared on Big Bang since Season 1, which premiered in September 2007.
Kunal, Mayim, Jim, Melissa, Simon, Johnny and Kaley in 2015.
Recent reports have stated Jim (Dr. Sheldon Cooper), Johnny (Dr. Leonard Hofstadter), Kaley (Penny Hofstadter), Kunal (Dr. Raj Koothrappali), and Simon (Howard Wolowitz) are all each currently paid a whopping $1 million per Big Bang episode. Final negotiations on Mayim and Melissa’s updated CBS contracts reportedly began earlier this week.
MORE: See Mayim Bialik and Johnny Galecki Recreate Their Teenage Blossom Kiss on Conan
Late last year, Melissa’s character, Bernadette, and Simon’s character, Howard — who are married on the show! — made headlines for welcoming the first Big Bang Theory baby. In the adorable episode, which aired on Thursday, Dec. 15, Mr. and Mrs. Wolowitz revealed their little girl’s cute, science-themed name — Halley Wolowitz, after Halley’s Comet. So sweet!
The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
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