While Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons were cashing in with their million-dollar Big Bang Theory paychecks, one cast member wasn’t quite living the high life. Kevin Sussman, who played the quirky Stuart Bloom, faced a much different reality. While his co-stars were earning big bucks, Sussman was dealing with some pretty horrifying moments—both financially and literally.
Despite being a fan favorite, he didn’t exactly get the royal treatment when it came to pay. Turns out, not everyone was winning in the bank account department, even on one of TV’s biggest hits. Welcome to Hollywood, where even the funniest shows can leave some actors feeling a bit short-changed!
Behind the Scenes: Dirty Hot Tubs and Low Pay for a Big Bang Theory’s Supporting Star
Not every scene in The Big Bang Theory was all laughs and physics jokes. Just ask Kevin Sussman, who played the lovable Stuart Bloom. In Season 10, he was thrown into a scene that wasn’t just awkward for his character—it was downright nasty for him personally.
Stuart and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), decide to take a dip in Howard and Bernadette’s hot tub. The catch, though? That hot tub of theirs was far from sparkling clean. Sussman, who ain’t a fan of going underwater, had to plunge into the murky water. During a 2017 Comic-Con panel, the actor confessed:
It was a little disgusting… The hot tub was slightly dirty. I don’t like putting my head underwater ever … A bunch of people had to coach me, you know, ‘it’s going to be okay… we have a lot of people around.’
Our beloved Raj Koothrappali didn’t disagree—it was not a favorite scene to shoot. But hey, it’s not all fun and games on set, right?
Despite giving us some memorable moments, Sussman wasn’t too thrilled about his paycheck—especially compared to the big bucks Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons were making. As the show moved to platforms like Max and Amazon Prime, his earnings took a nosedive. Sussman revealed (via The Things):
For me the big issue is residuals for streaming. I’ve seen residuals for my own shows absolutely tank once they go to streaming. I’m lucky because I was on The Big Bang Theory, which was on a broadcast network for years.
Since it moved to streaming [like Max and Amazon Prime], it’s night and day. I don’t see how it’s possible for an upcoming actor these days to actually be able to make a living.
Even though The Big Bang Theory still rakes in profits, Kevin Sussman’s take-home pay doesn’t reflect that. Here’s hoping the industry catches up and starts giving supporting cast members like Sussman a piece of the pie they deserve. After all, it’s not just about the stars—it’s about everyone who makes the magic happen.
An Improvised Line Turns Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom from Background Player to Fan Favorite
The quirky antics of Sheldon and his gang might have defined The Big Bang Theory, but Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom carved out his own special niche—thanks to one improvised line. Introduced in Season 2 as the comic book shop owner, Stuart was originally just ‘another normal guy.’ But everything changed in Season 3, Episode 7, The Guitarist Amplification.
During an otherwise typical scene, Sussman ad-libbed and whispered “I love you” to Penny, creating an unexpected comedic gem. That off-script moment led the writers to explore Stuart’s “undying love of Penny” and his increasingly unlucky streak.
From then on, Stuart’s character took a deeper dive into desperation and hilarity, dating both Penny and Amy Farrah Fowler, only to find more heartbreak. His sad-sack antics became a fan favorite, earning him a place in the main cast and making him a beloved, if tragic, part of the show’s legacy.
Watch The Big Bang Theory on Max and Apple TV.
