What happened to Howard's Mom in The Big Bang Theory? The character's exit explained

The death of Howard Wolowitz's mom, Mrs. Wolowitz, in The Big Bang Theory was a significant and emotional moment in the series. Mrs. Wolowitz was a beloved character who added humor and depth to the show.

While her exit was not intentional, it became unavoidable after the actual death of Carol Ann Susi, the actress who portrayed her. Susi's death in 2014 due to cancer led the show's creators to write Mrs. Wolowitz out of the storyline respectfully, marking one of the few serious moments in this otherwise lighthearted sitcom.

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The role of Mrs. Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory

Season 1 opened with Mrs. Wolowitz as Howard's domineering and overprotective mother. With her loud voice becoming a trademark of the program, she never appeared on camera. The stereotype of a helicopter parent, always interfering in Howard's life and using food and guilt to draw him near, is represented by the character.

A repetitive humorous theme, her interactions with Howard usually consisted of loud disputes or comical misunderstandings shouted across rooms. Beyond Howard, Mrs. Wolowitz developed friendships with other characters as well as with Stuart and Bernadette. The way she interacted with Stuart, who later became her caregiver, enriched her character and opened up fresh, funny possibilities.

Mrs Wolowitz, although a humor resource, is still taken very seriously. Moreover, Wolowitz was Howard's emotional center. Her presence brought up his fight between family duty and independence, which made him particularly likable to spectators.

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Why was Mrs. Wolowitz written out?

Ultimately, the decision to pen Mrs. Wolowitz from The Big Bang Theory was inspired by events in real life. After a cancer battle, Carol Ann Susi, who voiced the character, died on November 11, 2014. She last voiced in Season 8, Episode 8—The Prom Equivalency.

Showrunner Steve Molaro clarified that out of respect for her contributions to the series, replacing Susi with another actor was never seriously entertained. The authors rather decided to respect her memory by bestowing Mrs. Wolowitz a sharply bitter departure.

Howard gets a call in Season 8, Episode 15 ( " The Comic Book Store Regeneration"), letting him know that his mother died in her sleep during a Florida visit. Handled with understanding, this allowed the viewers, as well as the characters, to mourn her loss. For Howard, too, it was a turning point as he negotiated life apart from his mother's permanent presence.

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How does The Big Bang Theory honor Carol Ann Susi?

After her passing, The Big Bang Theory honored Carol Ann Susi in a few different ways. Season 8, Episode 9 (The Septum Deviation), ended with a heartfelt note on the screen:

"Whenever you spoke, we laughed".

This simple but poignant remark brought attention to the impact of Susi on the program: you're in our hearts forever.

One last archival audio cameo in the flashback episode of Season 11 ("The Bitcoin Entanglement") was also provided by Mrs. Wolowitz. This scene lets followers recall Susi's great personality and listen to her voice once more.

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The legacy of Mrs. Wolowitz.

Mrs. Wolowitz is among TV's most unforgettable "faceless" characters. Inspired by classic sitcoms like Rhoda, where particular characters were heard but never seen, her absence from onscreen performances was a creative decision. This strategy increased her mysticism and transformed her voice into an iconic feature of The Big Bang Theory.

Howard was supported by the group as he grieved, which brought the group closer together. It highlighted how much she meant not just to Howard but also to his buddies, who regarded her as a maternal figure in their lives.

Carol Ann Susi's depiction ensured that Mrs. Wolowitz would be noted for his important contribution to The Big Bang Theory. The viewers, as well as the program itself, will never forget her presence of voice and great comedic timing.

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The Big Bang Theory is available to watch on Netflix.