The Big Bang Theory has been wreaking havoc among viewers ever since it first started airing back in 2007, with all the guest celebrity appearances further adding stars to the already star-studded show. One of these very surprise arrivals was from none other than the incredibly legendary English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author: The late Stephen Hawking.
That said, the episode he appeared in also featured actor Simon Helberg, who played Howard Wolowitz in the fan-favorite series, making an impression of the late legend. However, the tough part here was the fact that the actor had to actually perform that very act in front of Hawking on the sets — something that Helberg was anything but okay with.
Simon Helberg Wasn’t OK with Impersonating Stephen Hawking for The Big Bang Theory
Back when the series was still in the works, it scored the chance to bring the great visionary Stephen Hawking on board for a guest appearance. And while having him star in a scene in the show was one thing, what’s more, is that he actually wanted to stay back and “watch a run-through, a rehearsal” of the episode, as Helberg explained.
While that was indeed one of the best things to happen to pretty much everyone on the sets of the blockbuster saga — considering how even Simon Helberg admitted meeting him in person “was so surreal” — there was a problem nonetheless. And this problem was that Helberg had to impersonate him for a scene, right in front of him.
During an appearance on Conan O’Brien‘s chat show Conan, the Florence Foster Jenkins actor shared his feelings on the same, saying:
I had to do this scene where I did an impression of him, for him, in front of [him]. And it’s kind of… I mean it’s, you know, he’s severely disabled, and I am kind of making fun of his voice… And so, I have to do this thing where I, in front of him, and it had to be.
To put it simply, Helberg just didn’t want to do anything that could end up offending a genius like Hawking and get him on the legend’s bad side. As he continued to explain (via Team Coco/YT):
I asked the producers to clear it… I mean I didn’t want him to stand up and beat me. No, I did not want to pick on him. He’s brilliant and, and, it’s not fair.
However, even though it went against his principles, the As They Made Us star had to impersonate him nonetheless. And, surprisingly enough, the results were much better than what he expected.
Stephen Hawking Seemingly Approved of Simon Helberg’s Impersonation of Him
On the one hand, while Helberg was having the toughest time of his life as he tried his best to be utterly respectful while imitating Hawking, on the other hand, the late genius seemed to be nothing short of a good sport about it all.
According to what the A Cinderella Story actor continued to tell O’Brien about his impersonation during the show:
I did the impression. I, my heart was beating through my chest and I stood up and saluted him after in the middle of the scene and he smiled.
That said, it seems like Hawking even approved of Helberg’s impression of him and didn’t even consider it to be disrespectful, if anything.
Effortlessly enough, while Helberg greatly worried about offending Hawking by making fun of him through this scene, the smile of approval to the actor from the legend he admired seems to not only have perfectly boosted his morale but even made his scene one of the most iconic ones in the entire smash-hit series!
You can stream The Big Bang Theory on TBS.
