The Big Bang Theory quickly made headlines with its hilarious storyline backed by some unforgettable characters. Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, this show remains etched in the memories of people across all generations. Whether you're a Boomer, Millenial, Gen-Z, or the other ones that followed, The Big Bang Theory is iconic.
When it comes to character growth, this show may have just outdone itself, especially with the regulars. Whether it was when Sheldon fell in love with Amy [a miracle by itself!], Penny finally admitted her feelings for Leonard or the time Raj got over his fear of talking to women.
Although character development was at its peak, some of them weren't the greatest on the show. Sadly after 12 glorious seasons, the show took its curtain call on the 19th of May, 2019. Let's relive nostalgia for a bit and look at the character rankings from The Big Bang Theory - the greats to the not-so-greats.
Disclaimer: This article solely reflects the author's opinions. Reader discretion is advised.
The Big Bang Theory Characters: ranked best to worst
1) Dr. Ramona Nowitzki
![Dr. Ramona Nowitzki from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/66512-17235392835530.jpg 1920w)
Starting the list strong is Dr. Ramona Nowitzki [Riki Lindhome] a.k.a Sheldon Cooper's big fan! The term fan for her is rather peculiar given his "dazzling" personality. Dr. Nowitzki was introduced around the first few seasons before he met the love of his life, Amy Farah Fowler.
She deliberately tried to ruin Sheldon's blossoming relationship with Amy while she was away at Princeton in New Jersey. She didn't bat an eye at the fact that Sheldon's love life was going swimmingly and even kissed him to confess her love. Thankfully, this accident resulted in Sheldon proposing to Amy after years of dating.
2) Priya Koothrappali
![Priya Koothrappali from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/7987f-17235399308885.jpg 1920w)
If you thought Raj got all the red flags, then you're probably wrong because Leonard too stumbled on one himself: Raj's sister Priya Koothrappali. She practically defined the term 'toxic ex.' While romance bloomed in their honeymoon phase, it quickly began to fizzle out. That's because she was embarrassed about introducing Leonard as her boyfriend to her parents.
Moreover, shortly after they broke up and reunited she kept Leonard in the dark about her move to India until the very last minute. What's worse is that she cheated on Leonard with her ex-boyfriend while in India and was completely okay with it.
3) Anu
![Anu from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/911a8-17235272872554.jpg 1920w)
Anu was introduced later on in The Big Bang Theory when Raj eagerly wanted to settle down. After being on the sidelines of his friend circle finding love and getting married, he decided to opt for an arranged marriage. That's how he met Anu - a concierge at a hotel, from his hometown in India. Initially, she floored fans when she popped the question to Raj in the most romantic manner.
However, it slowly started to seem like she was taking advantage of his desperation to find love. Towards the end, she knowingly asks Raj to leave his job and friends to join her in London. He almost boards the flight to London until Howard intervenes and urges him to stay true to his feelings.
4) Leslie Winkle
![Leslie Winkle from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/c7e57-17235283085825.jpg 1920w)
Shortly after Penny dumps Leonard during the first few seasons of The Big Bang Theory, he decides to get over her by asking out Leslie Winkle [Sara Gilbert]. There was no reason as to why the two couldn't work. They're both excellent physicists [although Sheldon believes otherwise].
Despite Leonard's patient advances and romantic gestures towards her, she only wanted one thing: emotionless intimacy. Although she had a clear understanding of what Leonard desired, she remained oblivious and uncaring about it.
5) Bert Kibbler
![Bert Kibbler from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/70aed-17235319556068.jpg 1920w)
Bert Kibbler [Brian Posehn] is known for his rock puns and his freakishly tall height. As a character, he didn't really grow as much despite starring in the season regularly. Although his passion for geology on the show is admirable, he didn't exactly talk about anything else.
Sadly, he was indeed a loner and would often desire to seek solace with Sheldon and the gang. Another reason he's on the list is he tried hitting on Amy multiple times knowing her heart belongs to Sheldon.
6) Zack Johnson
![Zack Johnson from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/6004e-17235320479046.jpg 1920w)
Next on the list is none other than Zack Johnson [Brian Thomas Smith]. Now this character was a real piece of work on The Big Bang Theory. Zack was one of the first people Penny dated after she dumped Leonard the first time. Although he got the brawn, he was sadly not equipped with the brains.
This trait also made him incredibly oblivious to Leonard's friends teasing his intellect. What was infuriating was the time he didn't want to divorce Penny because he was thinking about the kids they never had. Another display of his true intelligence.
7) Emily Sweeney
![Emily Sweeney from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/b429e-17235321786662.jpg 1920w)
Emily Sweeney [Laura Spencer] has left quite an impression on The Big Bang Theory fandom. This is primarily because she was the first woman Raj picked up the courage to break up with. This redhead loved dark humor, horror, and crime series, and would even joke about having a dead body in her closet!
Perhaps she was a walking red flag in Raj's life given how she almost guilted him into taking her back. Moreover, in their early stages of dating, Emily was rather judgemental towards her now ex-beau, making poor Raj question every word he spoke out loud!
8) Lucy
![Lucy from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/24831-17235322913586.jpg 1920w)
Is it possible that every red flag ever went on to date Raj? Poor guy! Lucy [Kate Micucci] met Raj on a blind date at the gang's usual cafe. On their very first date, she climbed out the window leaving Raj completely dumbstruck! It was later explained that she suffered from crippling social anxiety.
However, Raj did everything he could to make her feel comfortable. He even set a date at a library where they texted the entire time because of her anxiety. Yet, after all that effort, she broke his heart by dumping him over text while he was at a party with his friends. Fans of the show felt this one hard...
9) Beverly Hofstadter
![Beverly Hofstadter from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/a9c3b-17235323818802.jpg 1920w)
Beverly Hofstadter [Christine Baranski] is Leonard's mother who some might believe is an older female version of Sheldon. Despite many efforts from Leonard who sought to have a real relationship, Beverly would often dismiss the very thought.
Furthermore, she wrote a book entirely based on embarrassing moments from Leonard's childhood causing quite a mark. Additionally, she even favored Sheldon over her own son on multiple occasions - giving him the love supposedly reserved for Leonard.
10) Barry Kripke
![Barry Kripke from The Big Bang Theory | Image Source: Netflix](https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=190 190w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=720 720w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=640 640w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://static.soapcentral.com/editor/2024/08/ddc29-17235324673648.jpg 1920w)
This list would be utterly incomplete without the honorary mention of Barry Kripke [John Ross Bowie]! Kripke is known for his lisp which doesn't allow him to say his r's. He's the most manipulative and cunning character on the show! In many instances, Kripke has tried to actively sabotage his fellow scientists.
He also ensured Sheldon and Amy would let him sing a song at their wedding after they were officially married! Kripke even tried hitting on Amy just to smite Sheldon at one point in the show. Given his personality on the show, he would often be the last person invited to a soiree hosted by his friends.
While all these characters might've been greatly disliked, they still made The Big Bang Theory an incredible experience for the entire fandom in their own way.
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