The big Bang Theory has been causing a stir among viewers since it first aired in 2007, with numerous celebrity guest appearances adding more stars to an already star-studded show. One of these surprise guests was none other than the incredibly legendary English theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author: the late Stephen Hawking.
However, the episode he appeared in also featured actor Simon Helberg, who played Howard Wolowitz on the fan-favorite series, impersonating the late legend. The tricky part, however, was that the actor had to actually perform the act in front of Hawking on set – something Helberg was less than happy about.
Simon Helberg did not agree to imitate Stephen Hawking for The big Bang Theory
Back when the series was still in production, there was a chance to bring the great visionary Stephen Hawking on board for a guest appearance. And while it was one thing to have him appear in a scene in the series, it was one thing, but what was more important was that he was actually going to stay behind and “Watch a practice run, a rehearsal” the episode, as Helberg explained.
This was actually one of the best things that could have happened to pretty much anyone on the set of the blockbuster saga – considering that even Simon Helberg admitted to having met him in person. “was so surreal” — there was still a problem. And that problem was that Helberg had to impersonate him for a scene, right in front of him.
During an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s talk show ConanThe Florence Foster Jenkins The actor shared his feelings about it and said:
I had to do this scene where I imitated him in front of him. And it’s kind of… I mean, he’s severely disabled and I’m kind of making fun of his voice… So I had to do this thing where I stood in front of him and it had to be like this.
To put it simply, Helberg simply didn’t want to do anything that could offend a genius like Hawking and send him down the slippery slope of legend. He further explained (via Team Coco/YT):
I asked the producers to sort it out… I mean, I didn’t want him to get up and hit me. No, I didn’t want to bully him. He’s brilliant and, and, it’s not fair.
Although it violated his principles, How they made us Star still had to imitate him. And surprisingly, the results were much better than expected.
Stephen Hawking seemed to approve of Simon Helberg’s imitation
On one hand, Helberg was going through the toughest time of his life, as he tried his best to remain completely respectful in his imitation of Hawking. On the other hand, the late genius seemed to be nothing less than a good sportsman through it all.
Depending on what the A Cinderella story The actor further told O’Brien about his impersonation during the show:
I imitated him. My heart was pounding in my throat and I stood up in the middle of the scene and saluted him and he smiled.
Yet it seems that Hawking actually approved of Helberg’s impression of him and did not find it disrespectful, if at all.
Although Helberg was very afraid of offending Hawking by mocking him in this scene, the appreciative smile of the legend he admired not only seemed to boost the actor’s morale, but even made his scene one of the most iconic in the entire hit series!
You can stream The big Bang Theory on TBS.
