CBDa (cannabidiolic acid) is a cannabinoid that you may not have heard much about. While the world seems fascinated by CBD, CBDa has received relatively little media attention. CBDa is the original form of CBD prior to decarboxylation.
This process occurs when hemp flower or cannabis is heated, changing its chemical structure. While both plants contain CBDa, a higher amount of CBDa is naturally present in hemp flowers.
The “acid” is no longer present, so the cannabinoid is structurally different once the carbon chains in the plant have been removed with the heat. How is it different from CBD, and what are the benefits of this mysterious cannabinoid?
CBDa vs CBD
CBD has been more extensively researched than CBDa for its role in promoting better sleep. For those seeking to conveniently access the benefits of CBD for better sleep, trustedonline weed delivery service near me provides an excellent solution.
Health benefits of CBDa
CBDa carries a lot of health benefits, from controlling seizures to offering anti-inflammatory effects. Let’s take a look at some health benefits of CBDa:
It may help to control seizures in epilepsy patients
CBD burst onto the pharmaceutical scene as the principal ingredient in the anti-seizure medication Epidiolex. In biokinetic testing, CBDa was found to provide faster onset and enhance bioavailability, representing an improvement on the original Epidiolex formulation. Some US clinicians are having great success treating their epilepsy patients with CBDa.
It may promote better sleep and relieve stress
Like CBD, CBDa can also help to reduce anxiety and stress, which may contribute to restful sleep. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that many people find CBDa helpful for promoting mental calm and balance in response to anxiety and stress.
It has anti-nausea effects
We understand the neurotransmitter serotonin as a bodily compound that regulates our moods. However, serotonin does a lot of heavy lifting around the body, including its role in bodily functions like vomiting.
One study indicates that CBDa binds with 5-HT1A serotonin receptors much more profoundly than CBD. This exciting discovery could revolutionize medications for people struggling with motion sickness, but also for those who’ve ingested toxins.
Animal studies concluded that CBDa may suppress the symptoms of nausea and vomiting even when taken in low doses paired with THC. This is due to its interactions with the 5-HT1A receptor. However, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of CBDa in humans.
It may suppress metastasis in cancer cells
Because CBDa is a Cox-2 inhibitor, its candidacy as an anti-tumor agent is now being seriously considered. Breast cancer is indicated by an abnormal accumulation of Cox-2. In the linked study, CBDa was administered over 48 hours.
Over that period, the cannabinoid was seen to suppress Cox-2 and to additionally impede the ld-1 protein, known to encourage cancer cell proliferation through the development of tumors. CBDa was found to suppress metastasis in breast cancer in active cases in the same study.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
CBDa’s increasing reputation as an anti-inflammatory is due to its status as a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Cox-2 enzymes cause inflammation and are normally treated with OTC preparations like NSAIDs. But, the long-term use of these drugs is known to have serious side effects, like liver damage.
Researchers are focusing on CBDa as an alternative to NSAID anti-inflammatories and a non-harmful solution. This is a hopeful development for those with chronic pain disorders and persistent inflammation issues.
It may help in mood regulation
However, CBDa doesn’t interact with the endocannabinoid receptors the way CBD interacts but has a greater affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor than CBD. This receptor is engaged in the anti-anxiety effects of antidepressants. Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), plays a crucial role in mood regulation.
A recent animal study showed that rats exposed to stress showed improved mood and reduced anxiety after receiving CBDa. In comparison, control rats that were not subjected to stress showed no significant changes in mood.
Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.
Here are 12 Animal House behind the scenes stories, including one about an actress, pictured above, who wasn’t in the movie.
But First
Universal – Credit: C/O
There are many who consider 1978’s Animal House one of the best, perhaps even the best, comedy movie. It’s iconic, though those posters of John Belushi’s Bluto in his “COLLEGE” sweatshirt were too ubiquitous, and hopefully college students are a little more creative with their décor these days.
The popularity of Animal House changed comedy, and changed film. It inspired many movies, including some outright imitators. Slobs-versus-snobs comedy, college comedies, raunchy, gross-out comedy, it was all taken to a new level of popularity starting with Animal House.
The movie also helped bolster, or start, several notable careers. That’s why Animal House is worth delving into even further. So here are the Animal House behind the scenes stories.
Three Character Names Were Taken from a Previous National Lampoon Project
Universal – Credit: C/O
Animal House is technically titled National Lampoon’s Animal House, as it was the first film produced by National Lampoon, the famed humor magazine. In addition to the magazine, the folks at National Lampoon would do one-off projects.
In 1973, they produced the book National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody, a full fake yearbook for the fictional C. Estes Kefauver High School in the fake Dacron, Ohio.
Needless, to say, a ton of detail went into the 176-page fake yearbook. Time Magazine called it “the best comedy writing in the country” at the time. Doug Kenney, one of the writers on Animal House and the first editor-in-chief of National Lampoon, was able to mine some content from the fictional yearbook he helped produce.
Larry Kroger, aka Pinto, and Mandy Pepperidge, are both characters in the 1964 High School Yearbook Parody. The name Vernon Wormer is also used, but in the yearbook he’s a gym and civics teacher.
Chris Miller, Not Kenney, Brought Personal Fraternity Experience to the Script
Universal – Credit: C/O
Kenney may have had an anarchic, no-holds-barred comedic style, but he was no Bluto. While at Harvard, he had been a member of the hoity-toity, elitist Spee Club. John Christian Miller, aka Chris Miller as per his credit on the Animal House screenplay, may have gone to Dartmouth, another Ivy League school, but Kenney considered him the expert on the fraternity experience among the National Lampoon writers, according to NPR.
Miller had actually started writing memoirs about his frat experience, a book he titled The Night of the Seven Fires, but he had abandoned it.
Fortunately, he had kept his manuscript around. Miller ended up turning in a chapter from his memoir because he was facing a deadline, and it earned him a role as one of the credited writers on Animal House. Several of the nicknames of characters in the film are taken directly from Miller’s frat brothers.
Not Everyone Got the Roles They Wanted
Columbia – Credit: C/O
Ivan Reitman would end up with a successful career as a comedy director. He directed Ghostbusters, after all. Reitman was a producer on Animal House, but he also wanted to direct. At the time, though, he had directed one film, a low-budget Canadian cult comedy. That did not suffice for the producers at Universal.
Reitman had gotten The Second City’s Harold Ramis involved in the film, and he is a credited writer. While working on the script, which took nine drafts, Ramis wrote the role of Boon with himself in mind. Landis thought he looked too old for the part (though nobody seemed to give 28-year-old John Belushi much grief) and offered him a smaller role. Annoyed, Ramis declined.
John Landis Took a Lot of Credit for Shaping Animal House
Universal – Credit: C/O
In a conversation with Digital Movie Talk, John Landis called the original script for Animal House “the funniest thing I had ever read” but also “really offensive.” He said there had to be “good guys” and “bad guys” in the movie, so he created the idea of the villainous fraternity, compared to the “good guys” of Animal House.
The director also helped shape the cast. Originally, Animal House would have effectively been a Saturday Night Live movie. In addition to Belushi, who ended up in the film, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd were all originally thought of as being part of the cast as well.
Landis, though, wanted unknowns with dramatic backgrounds. That helped pave the way for Kevin Bacon and Karen Allen to make their film debuts. With his brash personality, Landis unsurprisingly rubbed some of the other creatives on the movie the wrong way. Harold Ramis has said that Landis always called Animal House “my movie,” which frustrated the writers who had spent years on the screenplay.
Donald Sutherland, the Biggest Name in the Movie, Missed Out on a Big Payday
Universal – Credit: C/O
Animal House was a cast with unknowns by and large, aside from TV star John Belushi. Oh, and Donald Sutherland, one of the biggest stars of the 1970s and a big get for the film.
Landis has told Variety that getting Sutherland to agree to take on a small role effectively got the movie made. So how did that happen?
Landis dropped out of high school, but lived in Los Angeles so he dove into the film business with both feet. As a young man, he got a job on the crew of Kelly’s Heroes, which involved going to then-Yugoslavia for filming.
While there, he would sometimes do Donald a solid by babysitting his son, none other than Kiefer Sutherland. The two became friends, and Landis got Sutherland to appear in both Kentucky Fried Movie and Animal House.
Notably, Universal offered Sutherland $25,000 a day for two days of work or two percent of the film’s gross. Presuming the movie wouldn’t be a big hit (and he wasn’t the only one), Sutherland took the guaranteed cash. That decision, in the end, would cost him roughly $14 million.
An Academic Got a Chance to Avoid Making the Same Mistake Twice
Universal – Credit: C/O
Animal House had a script. It had a director. It had a cast. All it needed was a location to serve as Faber College…and that proved to be a problem. Since the movie was a period piece, set in 1962, the film needed a campus that had a timeless look. Every campus with that look would read the script and quickly decline to allow shooting.
The film almost got to shoot at the University of Missouri, but then the school’s president read the screenplay, and that was that.
Landis and company finally made it to the University of Oregon. The school’s president, William Beaty Boyd, also had concerns, but he also had a working memory of a similar experience. While an administrator at Cal, the school was approached to shoot The Graduate there. Cal declined because the movie “lacked artistic merit” and The Graduate was shot at USC. It then became a huge hit.
Boyd didn’t want that to happen again. He ran it by university officials who agreed that, while raunchy, the film was a funny take on college life. All Boyd and company asked in return was that Oregon never be mentioned in the movie.
Life Imitated Art at Times
Universal – Credit: C/O
The actors playing the members of Delta House were put up in a hotel in Springfield, Oregon together to bond. Bond they did, though Belushi and his wife Judy stayed at a house in Eugene (home of the university) to help Belushi stay clean during filming. Fun times were had in the hotel, but a trip to the campus did not work out as well.
Some female students from Oregon invited the cast to a frat party. The actors went, but quickly found out that the frat had not invited them, and they were very much not welcome.
A Small Budget Led to an All-Hands-on-Deck Approach
Universal – Credit: C/O
Landis got a budget of $3 million to make Animal House, a slim sum even for a comedy in 1978. Corners had to be cut everywhere. During the 32-day shoot in Eugene, Landis did not have a trailer or an office, and it was three weeks before he could watch any of the dailies he shot.
Landis’ wife Deborah Nadoolman, a costume designer, was around to help as well. She didn’t do too much “designing” on Animal House, though. Instead, she bought most of the costumes from local thrift stores in Oregon.
On top of that, she and Judy Belushi joined forces to make the togas for the famed toga party scene as well.
Two Notable Scenes Were Done in a Single Shot
Universal – Credit: C/O
Comedy, especially physical comedy, often plays quite well if you can get it to play with as few cuts as possible. If you can do it in one shot, even better.
Flounder was not the slickest of characters in Animal House, but Stephen Furst was an actor, not a real guy. During the scene in the grocery store where Flounder is tasked with catching assorted items being thrown his way, Landis and Tim Matheson were just off screen tossing the items at him.
Landis did not necessarily expect Furst to nail it, but he managed to catch every item and crush the whole thing in a single take, much to the director’s amusement, and amazement.
Then, there’s perhaps the most-famous scene in the film, the food fight. Other than Bluto’s clarion call, the actual fight was shot all in one take. Landis told the actors to have an actual food fight and to play for keeps. If you watch the scene, you can tell they listened to his advice.
It Was Successful Pretty Much Right Away
Universal – Credit: C/O
Sometimes, a famed movie doesn’t hit immediately. When you are born, it’s been established as a classic, so you only know that reality. Or, perhaps, you just don’t remember when it actually came out, which isn’t surprising if a movie isn’t a hit.
But Animal House was not some slow-burning cult classic. No, it was a huge hit.
It helps that Landis and some of the cast went on a national tour to promote the movie. It also helps that Universal organized toga parties to promote the movie on college campuses around the United States.
While the movie was not a hit internationally, in its first run it made more than $120. million domestically. It was so successful it got a re-release in 1979. Until 1984’s Ghostbusters it was the highest-grossing comedy movie.
No One Could Crack a Sequel
Universal – Credit: C/O
Pretty much right away, the writers had an idea for a sequel set in 1967. The whole thing would be a take on the hippie scene in San Francisco.
Miller and Lampoon writer John Weidman took a crack at putting together a treatment, but Universal turned it down, reportedly because the hippie-tinged More American Graffiti had tanked in 1979.
In 1982, National Lampoon producer Matty Simmons co-wrote a screenplay set five years after the first movie, and a full screenplay was produced. It didn’t go anywhere, though.
There Was a TV Show, Though
ABC – Credit: C/O
Delta House had a pilot, written by the writers of the film. Not only that, but John Hughes was a writer on the show. They got the actors who played Dean Wormer, Flounder, Hoover, and D-Day to reprise their roles as well. If that wasn’t enough, a promising young actor named Michelle Pfeiffer had a regular role as, um, The Bombshell. That’s all she is known as.
Of course, Delta House couldn’t get Belushi, so Bluto was replaced by his heretofore unmentioned brother Blotto, played by Josh Mostel. On top of that, an ABC sitcom could not traffic in the same style of raunchy humor that made the movie stand out.
Delta House only aired 13 episodes before ending.
Liked These Animal House Behind the Scenes Stories?
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim? Here’s What Most People Miss—And Why the Right Lawyer Makes All the Difference, Because Protecting Your Rights at Work Should Never Feel Like a Solo Mission
It’s easy to assume that when something goes wrong on the job—whether it’s a fall, an injury, or the slow build of chronic pain—there’s a clear path to getting help. After all, workers’ compensation exists to take care of employees when they need it most, right? In theory, yes. In practice? Not always that simple.
The reality of filing a workers’ compensation claim can feel more like navigating a maze than receiving straightforward support. There are forms, deadlines, assessments, employer responses, medical reviews—and, in some cases, outright denials. For someone already dealing with pain, stress, or lost wages, the system can feel overwhelmingly complex.
Let’s Clear This Up: Workers’ Compensation Is Your Right, Not a Favor
The first thing to understand is this—workers’ comp isn’t a gift your employer can decide to offer. It’s a legal right designed to protect employees who are injured or become ill due to work-related conditions. That includes everything from major accidents on a construction site to repetitive strain from years at a desk.
Yet many workers hold back from filing, either due to fear of retaliation, confusion over what qualifies, or the hope that the issue will just “get better.” Unfortunately, waiting too long or missing key documentation can make a valid claim far more difficult to prove.
That’s where early legal guidance flips the script. A good lawyer helps map out every step of the process so nothing gets missed or misunderstood.
Common Pitfalls That Can Derail a Claim
Here’s the truth: insurance providers don’t just hand out compensation. Their job is to limit payouts and protect the employer’s bottom line. Even a small error in your paperwork or an inconsistent medical report can raise red flags—and suddenly a legitimate injury gets labeled as “not work-related.”
Some of the most common missteps include:
Failing to report the injury promptly
Not seeking medical treatment from an approved provider
Signing documents without understanding their implications
Assuming a minor injury doesn’t count if it worsens later
Believing that returning to work means the claim is over
That’s why working with a lawyer who knows the workers’ comp system inside and out can be a game-changer. They spot red flags before they become problems, coach you through documentation, and help ensure the story of your injury is told clearly and backed by the right evidence.
When the Employer Pushes Back
It’s an unfortunate reality—sometimes the workplace that once felt like a team becomes defensive the moment a claim is filed. There might be pressure not to file at all. Or subtle hints that doing so could impact future shifts, promotions, or even job security.
That’s when it becomes crucial to remember: the law is on your side. Retaliation for filing a workers’ comp claim is illegal. But proving that retaliation occurred? That’s another matter—and one that requires legal finesse.
A lawyer becomes your buffer and your advocate, making sure the focus stays on facts, not fear. They communicate on your behalf, manage the paperwork, and handle complex conversations with HR and insurers. And if retaliation or discrimination does occur? They’re ready to pursue those violations with the seriousness they deserve.
Medical Appointments Aren’t Just Appointments—They’re Evidence
Every doctor’s visit, scan, referral, or rehabilitation session becomes part of the official record. But how that medical evidence is interpreted can make or break a claim. If an employer’s insurer questions whether the injury is work-related, or argues that a pre-existing condition is to blame, it quickly turns into a technical tug-of-war.
Lawyers trained in workers’ compensation law know how to build a case that holds up under scrutiny. They coordinate with medical professionals, ensure consistent reporting, and often bring in independent assessments when needed to strengthen the claim.
What might feel like “just another appointment” could end up being a critical piece of the puzzle. And without someone connecting the dots strategically, important details can easily fall through the cracks.
Settlement Offers: Should You Take It or Fight for More?
Some claims don’t go to court—they’re settled early. That might sound like a win, but not all offers are equal. Insurers may offer a lump sum that seems appealing in the moment, especially when bills are stacking up and stress is running high. But accepting too soon, or without legal review, could mean walking away from long-term benefits like future medical coverage, wage loss support, or compensation for permanent impairment.
A lawyer helps break down what the offer really means—what’s included, what’s not, and whether it truly reflects the nature of the injury and its impact. If the offer falls short? They know how to push back and negotiate for something fair.
Not All Claims Are Straightforward—And That’s OK
Some injuries don’t show up right away. Others involve psychological trauma, toxic exposure, or long-term strain that’s harder to prove. These aren’t “less valid”—they just require more legal strategy and supporting evidence. And in many cases, they’re the most likely to be denied or delayed without strong advocacy.
There’s no shame in needing help. In fact, asking for professional support is one of the most powerful things an injured worker can do. Lawyers trained in workers’ comp law know how to speak the system’s language—and they’ll make sure your voice is heard loud and clear.
The Bottom Line: Legal Support Turns the Tables
Filing a workers’ compensation claim shouldn’t feel like walking into battle. It should feel like getting the help you need to heal, recover, and return to life without added financial stress.
With the right lawyer:
You don’t have to guess if your paperwork is correct
You’re not left wondering if your rights are being respected
You won’t settle for less than what the law entitles you to
Legal support transforms a confusing, frustrating process into a guided, confident journey—one where the focus shifts from “what if” to “what’s next.”
So if the job has left a mark—physically, mentally, or emotionally—don’t leave your future up to chance. Get informed. Get supported. And let someone who knows the system fight for the outcome you deserve.
Here are the top 10 movies of 1977, ranked by domestic box office. The film at No. 1 permanently changed the kinds of movies that get made in Hollywood.
10 — Semi-Tough
United Artists – Credit: C/O
Burt Reynolds was such a huge star in 1977 that he starred in two of the films on this list. Semi-Tough is a sports comedy that features a love triangle between the very 1970s cast of Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson and Jill Clayburgh.
The United Artists release, which came out November 11, earned over $37 million, making it No. 10 on this list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
9 — Annie Hall
United Artists – Credit: C/O
Widely considered Woody Allen’s masterpiece, this romantic comedy starring Allen and Diane Keaton, as the title character, was not only a commercial but critical smash: It won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Actress (for Keaton) and Best Director (for Allen) — as well as Best Screenplay for Allen and Marshall Brickman.
The film, released by United Artists, debuted April and earned $38.2 million. It’s No. 9 on the list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
8 — Oh, God!
Warner Bros – Credit: C/O
George Burns (right), who was 81 at the time of the film’s release, plays God, who visits normal-guy grocery store assistant manager Jerry (John Denver, left).
When Jerry agrees to spread God’s message, his wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) isn’t sure it’s the best idea.
The film inspired a trilogy that includes one of the film’s on this list. Released by Warner Bros. on October 7, it earned $41.7 million. It is, you guessed it, No. 8 on the list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
7 — The Spy Who Loved Me
United Artists – Credit: C/O
The third James Bond film to star Roger Moore (left) — who is No. 4 on our list of James Bond Actors, Ranked — pairs him with Soviet agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach, right) as they try to stop a plot to end civilization in favor of a new undersea world.
They’re bedeviled by Jaws — not the shark from the top-grossing film of 1975, but the henchman played by Richard Kiel.
Released by United Artists on July 13, The Spy Who Loved Me moonraked in $46.8 million. It ranks No. 007 on the list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
6 — The Deep
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
This thriller stars Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte as amateur treasure-hunting divers who come across the cargo of a World War II shipwreck, which puts them at odds with local criminals. It was co-written by Peter Benchley, who wrote the novel Jaws and co-wrote the film.
Released by Columbia Pictures on June 17, it earned $47.3 million. Its No. 6 on the list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
Richard Attenborough’s World War II drama stars a plethora of great actors, including Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, and the recently departed Ryan O’Neal. It’s also co-written by the great William Goldman (All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride.)
Released by United Artists on June 15, it collected $50.8 million. It comes in at No. 5 on the list of the 10 top movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
4 — Saturday Night Fever
Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O
With a soundtrack that defined the late ’70s, this John Travolta disco drama follows Tony Manero (Travolta) as he splashes paint and dances up a storm in Brooklyn. It’s based on the New York article “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night” which author Nik Cohn later admitted he mostly made up.
Audiences didn’t notice, or didn’t care. The Paramount Pictures release, which came out December 16, hustled up $94.2 million. It is, of course, No. 4 on the list of the top 10 movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
It also earned a place on
3 — Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
Stephen Spielberg’s followup to his hit Jaws, which reunited him with Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss, wasn’t as big a hit as the shark epic — but few movies are.
Close Encounters — the second movie on this list to feature Teri Garr (who would reunite with Dreyfuss for 1989’s Let It Ride ) — earned $116.4 million after its November 16 release by Columbia Pictures. It’s No. 3 on the list of the top 10 movies of 1977, by domestic box office, not adjusted for inflation.
2 — Smokey and the Bandit
Universal Pictures – Credit: C/O
This Burt Reynolds-Sally Field action comedy — about a Trans-Am on a mission to distract from a truck full of beer — was the No. 2 film domestically with a total haul of $127 million. This is one time the Bandit ended up in second place.
By the way, all of these domestic box office totals are from Box Office Mojo, a fun site we highly recommend exploring.
Interestingly, Smokey and the Bandit debuted on May 27 — just two days after the No. 1 movie on our list.
1 — Star Wars
20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O
The 20th Century Fox film, which eventually became known as Star Wars: Episode IV — a New Hope, was the top film of 1977 with a domestic gross of $307 million. (Adjusted for inflation, that’s $1.3 billion.)
George Lucas’ story of Luke Skywalker’s quest to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star — and her quest to lead the Rebellion to use some secret plans to blow up said Death Star — launched the second-most successful franchise in film history. Star Wars films have made more than $5 billion, trailing only the $11.8 billion for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The incredible box office receipts of A New Hope (we still just call it Star Wars) helped open studios’ eyes to new ways of making money — not just through films, but endless merchandising in the form of action figures, remote-controlled R2D2s, and lightsabers.
It changed the kinds of movies that got greenlit, and signaled that ’70s audiences — who had grown accustomed to downbeat endings — were ready for optimism. Movies would never be the same.
Liked This List of the Top 10 Movies of 1977, Ranked by Domestic Box Office?
The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons and 279 episodes on CBS, earning big ratings and minting some new TV stars.
Now that the show has been off the air for five years, what is the cast up to now?
But First
CBS – Credit: C/O
CBS had no complaints about The Big Bang Theory. It had a ton of fans, as the ratings indicated. For a while, reruns on TBS were that network’s highest-rated airings as well. It also won Emmys, People’s Choice Awards, and more. However, critical assessments were mixed, and The Big Bang Theory was culturally relevant enough that it also had a lot of detractors who griped that the characters were broadly drawn.
But the show’s very talented cast helped lend The Big Bang Theory more substance, especially as the show went on. Here’s what the Big Bang Theory cast is up to now.
Jim Parsons
CBS – Credit: C/O
Parsons, a relative unknown when The Big Bang Theory began, was not supposed to be the star. Sheldon Cooper was an eccentric secondary character. He proved the breakthrough star, though, and yielded a spinoff, Young Sheldon, that has itself yielded a spinoff. Parsons also won a whopping four Emmys for playing Sheldon.
In addition to narrating Young Sheldon, Parsons has kept busy producing and occasionally acting. He acted on stage in a version of The Boys in the Band, and then starred in a 2020 film adaptation of that play. Parsons also co-starred in Hollywood, a limited series wherein he played closeted gay Hollywood agent Henry Willson, and the 2022 drama Spoiler Alert.
Oh, and bazinga, of course.
Kaley Cuoco
CBS – Credit: C/O
Cuoco was one of the most recognizable stars of The Big Bang Theory when it debuted. As a kid, she had been on the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. Cuoco’s Penny was the “hot chick” (quotation marks not a comment on Cuoco’s looks but to indicate this was the archetype she was playing) who the “nerds” could not comprehend at first, though of course eventually she and Leonard would get together.
There’s a good chance you have seen Cuoco all over your television in recent years. In addition to the litany of advertisements you can see her in, Cuoco starred in The Flight Attendant and Based on a True Story.
She’s also loaned her voice to the cultishly adored Harley Quinn cartoon. That’s not one to watch with your family.
Johnny Galecki
CBS – Credit: C/O
Galecki, who played Leonard, was the ostensible ”star” of The Big Bang Theory when it debuted, and to be fair he and Cuoco always remain at the center, even if others joined him. As a younger man, Galecki had been on Roseanne.
Starring in The Big Bang Theory made Galecki, and others in the cast, very rich.That is to say, Galecki never needs to work again. He’s popped up in a few episodes of The Connors, and also the movie A Dog’s Journey, but both of those instances occurred in 2019.
He is generationally wealthy, got somewhat recently married, more recently had a kid, and has a child from a previous relationship. If he doesn’t want to work, he’s got plenty else to do.
Simon Helberg
CBS – Credit: C/O
Helberg is, in our opinion, the best actor from the main cast of The Big Bang Theory, though he didn’t get to show it a ton on the show. Howard was arguably the most broadly-drawn character, and early on, even if you liked the show, Howard may have been a bit much. Check him out in something like A Serious Man, though, and you can see his skills.
On occasion Helberg has flashed those skills post-Big Bang as well. He’s done a couple movies, most notably the weirdo indie masterpiece Annette.
On television, in addition to a smidge of voiceover work, Helberg played a tertiary, but important, role in Poker Face, the excellent Peacock series starring Natasha Lyonne. Check that one out for sure.
Kunal Nayyar
CBS – Credit: C/O
If you’re American, there’s a good chance you haven’t seen Nayyar, who played Raj, much recently. Maybe you have heard him, as he’s voiced Guy Diamond in three Trolls movies (and two Trolls TV specials), but that’s more or less it on the American side of the pond.
Nayyar was actually born in London, though, and while he mostly grew up in India before moving to the United States for college, he’s been back working in the United Kingdom since the end of The Big Bang Theory. He co-starred in British thriller series Suspicion, and he was also in an episode of Criminal: UK.
For the latter, Nayyar was actually nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the British equivalent of the Emmys.
Mayim Bialik
CBS – Credit: C/O
To try and create new dynamics in the universe of The Big Bang Theory, and also to add a bit more female presence on the regular as well, Bialik debuted as Amy Farrah Fowler in a guest role in the third season before joining the main cast starting in Season 4. It was a sensible casting. Not only was Bialik well-versed in sitcoms, having starred in Blossom, she has a PhD in neuroscience.
There has been a lot of Bialik on TV since The Big Bang Theory ended. She starred in the FOX sitcom Call Me Kat for a couple seasons. Also, notably, she was in the running to host Jeopardy!.
Awkwardly, it was decided that she and Ken Jennings would share the role of host, but the Jeopardy! diehards, a raucous bunch, loudly preferred the game show icon to the interloping actress. Thus, Bialik’s time as host has come to a conclusion.
Melissa Rauch
CBS – Credit: C/O
Rauch, who joined the show midstream to play Bernadette, eventual wife of Howard, has something going that no other Big Bang Theory cast member does at the moment: an extant sitcom. Rauch stars in the reboot of Night Court on NBC. She plays Abby Stone, daughter of Harry T. Stone, Harry Anderson’s character from the original run.
That’s basically it, though, as Rauch hasn’t done a ton else since Big Bang Theory ended. Not that we’re knocking her! She’s the star (and executive producer) of a network sitcom! There just isn’t much else to say, so we will point out something odd and interesting.
In 2017, Rauch did voiceover work in a direct-to-video Batman movie. It’s called Batman and Harley Quinn, and she voiced Harley Quinn. That means two Big Bang Theory cast members have played Quinn in an animated project.
Kevin Sussman
CBS – Credit: C/O
Sussman played Stuart, the owner of the comic book shop the guys frequent. In the first few seasons he was in a recurring role, but eventually, as often happens, a tertiary character had his role expanded. Sussman was considered a member of the main cast for seasons eight through 12, which meant a major uptick in salary, we’re sure.
In total, Sussman was in 85 episodes of The Big Bang Theory, and he’s stayed quite busy in the interim. He doesn’t have that Galecki money, after all. Sussman popped up in a couple episodes of Bialik’s Call Me Kat, and also a couple episodes of AMC’s prestigious, beloved Better Call Saul.
He was quite good in the excellent Hulu limited series The Dropout, about Elizabeth Holmes, and has been seen occasionally in Lessons in Chemistry as well.
Sara Gilbert
CBS – Credit: C/O
Gilbert was recurring in Season 1 and a guest in seasons three and nine, but for the second season of The Big Bang Theory, she was contractually in a starring role. While the show moved well past the era of Leslie Winkle, she should be included. Especially since, you know, she’s been up to a lot of stuff and was already famous.
When Gilbert was brought in, it was a bit of stunt casting. She played Darlene on Roseanne, after all, and Galecki played her character’s boyfriend. The same time that The Big Bang Theory was ending, Gilbert’s View-style show The Talk ended as well.
Also, Gilbert and her wife Linda Perry divorced. Tough year for Gilbert! She bounced back, though. Gilbert has been back playing Darlene on The Connors since it debuted, giving her a regular network sitcom role once again.
Laura Spencer
CBS – Credit: C/O
Raj finally got himself a long-term thing on The Big Bang Theory, though without the success of the other relationships among the main cast. Emily, the morbid dermatologist, was in the main cast in Season 9, and was in a recurring role in seasons seven, eight, and 10. At the same time, Spencer also had a recurring role on Bones.
Since then, she was in a somewhat obscure tornado disaster movie called 13 Minutes and appeared in one episode of Reservation Dogs.
John Ross Bowie
CBS – Credit: C/O
Barry Kripke was not one of the main characters on The Big Bang Theory. Bowie was credited in a recurring role in most seasons of his run, and a guest role in a couple of them. However, we decided to include him because the dude works.
Bowie popped up in Jumanji: The Next Level, and he’s been all over television. During the end of the run of The Big Bang Theory, Bowie was one of the leads of the sitcom Speechless. Since then, he’s popped up in recurring roles and one-off spots all over television.
In 2022 alone you could see him in four different TV shows. Bowie is a character actor, and to that end, he had a podcast called Household Faces for a bit where he interviewed other character actors. It’s a good listen.
Thanks for Reading The Big Bang Theory Cast: Where Are They Now
