Mayim Bialik Got Her Big Bang Theory Part After Acting Out Just Five Lines
The introduction of Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory not only helped bring a unique dynamic to the fast-growing sitcom but also one of the best couples to appear on the show with her eccentric on-screen partner Sheldon Cooper.
And yet for Mayim Bialik, who played Amy and became one of the most prominent cast members of the series, her start on the show was anything but significant.
Amy was first introduced in the finale of season three as a guest appearance.
She was brought back in the following season as a recurring character and ongoing girlfriend of Sheldon. Or, as Sheldon described her at the time, his "friend who is a girl".
As the character developed and Bialik received increasing support from her fellow cast members for her contributions to the show, she was made a permanent member of the main cast. Bialik continued to play Amy in the series, who appeared consistently until its end in 2019 after the twelfth season.
How did Bialik get the part of Amy Farrah Fowler?
Being a child actress, Bialik had already starred in several shows since a young age. Including her very own teenage sitcom 'Blossom'. She also continued as a voice actor for numerous cartoons up until 2005. However, by the time of her decision to return to acting, she had been on a 12-year hiatus.
Bialik remembers her audition for the role in Big Bang at the time was against five other actresses, who she describes as feeling intimidated by, as they were equally famous and talented.
Fortunately, her audition was clearly a standout one. One thing she had that the others did not was an actual PhD in neuroscience. The part of Amy only required five lines to be spoken, yet clearly, she must have aced them. Soon after her audition with the other actresses, she received confirmation she got the part that very afternoon. Bialik was clearly a hit with Chuck Lorre and the showrunners.
The character of Amy was even adapted soon after she was hired just for her. Changing the character to a neuroscientist to accommodate Bialik's real-life expertise in the area.
The role was life-changing
Not only did Bialik ultimately bring more progress to the series, but her role in Big Bang also improved her life in a big way. She has admitted on numerous occasions she did not originally believe she would get the role when she auditioned. And especially never thought it would lead to a full-time part. The only reason she tried for the role at all was that her health insurance was due to expire.
After taking a break from acting to raise her two children and pursue her education, she struggled to find work so turned back to acting as a necessity. At the time, she was instead teaching Hebrew, piano and neuroscience to earn money. By being able to secure health insurance for herself and her family, she confesses the show ultimately changed her life.
Bialik may not have believed in herself during the audition, however, her inclusion in the series was practically predicted in the show seasons earlier.
During season one, in the episode titled 'The Bat Jar Conjecture', the plot sees the gang struggle to find a team member for their Physics Bowl team after Sheldon abandons them to start his own. Serendipitously, Raj jokingly suggests they consider the girl who played TV's Blossom, who he has heard learned is very smart and has a PhD in neuroscience. This ironically was a direct reference to Bialik herself, which the writers put in by pure coincidence. Maybe Bialik really was destined for the role of Amy all along.