Every Big Bang Theory Actor Who Appears In Stuart Fails To Save The Universe

"The Big Bang Theory" may have ended in 2019, but its universe continues to expand.

HBO Max's "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe" (premiering Thursday, July 23 at 9 p.m.) reunites viewers with comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn), and physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) for a multiverse adventure. According to the official synopsis, their quest to restore reality after Stuart accidentally triggers a multiverse Armageddon will bring them face-to-face with alternate-universe versions of characters viewers have come to know and love from "The Big Bang Theory."

Below, we've rounded up every actor from the "Big Bang" franchise already confirmed to appear in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe." We'll continue updating this list as additional guest stars are announced or appear on screen (and, should any alumni from "Young Sheldon" or "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" eventually make the jump, we'll include them, too).

Kevin Sussman (series regular)

Kevin Sussman was among those who auditioned for the role of Leonard Hofstadter in the original, unaired "Big Bang Theory" pilot (as was future co-star John Ross Bowie, who read for the part twice).

When CBS ordered a retooled pilot the following year, creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady instead developed the role of Howard Wolowitz with Sussman in mind. But ABC declined to release him from his contract on "Ugly Betty," where he recurred during the comedy's first season, and the part ultimately went to Simon Helberg.

Sussman finally joined the sitcom in Season 2 as Stuart Bloom, the struggling comic book store owner who started out as a confident romantic prospect for Penny before spiraling into perhaps the series' unluckiest character. He went on to recur in 11 of the sitcom's 12 seasons, appearing in 84 of its 279 episodes, before finally getting a second chance as the star of "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe."

Lauren Lapkus (series regular)

Lauren Lapkus made her "Big Bang Theory" debut as Denise, the Comic Center of Pasadena's new assistant manager, in Season 11's "The Comet Polarization." 

After accompanying Stuart to Sheldon and Amy's wedding, Denise returned the following season as Stuart's girlfriend. In her final appearance, Season 12's "The Maternal Conclusion," she invited Stuart to move in with her. 

All told, she appeared in just eight of the sitcom's 279 episodes.

Lapkus reprises her role — now as a series regular — in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe."

Brian Posehn (series regular)

Brian Posehn made his "Big Bang Theory" debut as geology professor Bert Kibbler in Season 6's "The Contractual Obligation Implementation," though the character initially went unnamed. Bert was formally introduced in Season 7's "The Occupation Recalibration" and went on to recur throughout the remainder of the sitcom's run, appearing in 15 of its 279 episodes.

Posehn reprises her role — now as a series regular — in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe."

John Ross Bowie (series regular)

John Ross Bowie made his "Big Bang Theory" debut as fan-favorite physicist Barry Kripke in Season 2's "The Killer Robot Instability," immediately establishing the speech-impaired scientist as a thorn in Sheldon Cooper's side. He went on to appear in 25 episodes across 11 seasons before making his final appearance in Part 1 of the sitcom's two-part series finale in 2019.

Among the sitcom's recurring players, only Kevin Sussman appeared in more episodes.

Bowie reprises his role — now as a series regular — in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe."

Christine Baranski

Christine Baranski earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her recurring role as Leonard's acerbic mother, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, on "The Big Bang Theory." Introduced in Season 2's "The Maternal Capacitance," Beverly appeared in 16 episodes across nine of the sitcom's 12 seasons.

As revealed in the trailer for "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Baranski returns to the franchise. Whether she's reprising Beverly, playing an alternate-universe version of the character, or something else entirely remains under wraps.

Josh Brener

Josh Brener first appeared on "The Big Bang Theory" in Season 5's "The Flaming Spittoon Acquisition" as Comic Center employee Dale. He reprised the role in Season 6's "The Tangible Affection Proof."

He returns to the franchise in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," this time as an entirely new character: Trevor, one of Stuart's most frequent customers.

Ryan Cartwright

Ryan Cartwright made his first (and only) appearance on "The Big Bang Theory" in Season 6's "The 43 Peculiarity," playing Penny's community college classmate Cole.

He returns to the franchise in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," this time as an entirely new character: Kyle, a daily patron of Stuart's comic book store.

Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette made his "Big Bang Theory" franchise debut in prequel series "Young Sheldon," appearing opposite his longtime stage partner, Teller.

In the Season 5 finale, "A Clogged Pore, a Little Spanish and the Future," 12-year-old Sheldon (played by Iain Armitage) struggled to cope with the first signs of puberty. After getting his first pimple, Penn and Teller appeared as Acne Vulgaris and his silent sidekick, Pus.

As revealed in the trailer for "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Jillette returns to the franchise, this time seemingly playing himself in one of the series' post-apocalyptic alternate realities.

Riki Lindhome

Riki Lindhome made her "Big Bang Theory" debut in Season 2's "The Cooper-Nowitzki Theorem" as Ramona Nowitzki, a graduate student (and later doctor) with an unrequited crush on Dr. Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons).

Ramona resurfaced in Season 10's finale, "The Long Distance Dissonance," making an unwelcome advance that prompted Sheldon to fly across the country and propose to Amy (Mayim Bialik). She returned one last time in the Season 11 premiere, "The Proposal Proposal."

As revealed in the trailer for "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Lindhome returns to the franchise. Whether she's reprising Ramona, playing an alternate-universe version of the character, or something else entirely, however, remains under wraps.

Joshua Malina

Joshua Malina first appeared on "The Big Bang Theory" as the oft-mentioned President Siebert (first name unknown) in Season 4's "The Benefactor Factor." He returned for two additional appearances in Season 5 before recurring throughout Seasons 11 and 12, appearing in 13 episodes overall.

As revealed in a teaser trailer for "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Malina returns to the franchise, seemingly as a member of the United States Army. The full extent of his role remains under wraps.

Teller

Magician and illusionist Teller made his "Big Bang Theory" debut in Season 11's finale, "The Bow Tie Asymmetry," as Larry Fowler, Amy's taciturn father. He reprised the role twice during the sitcom's 12th and final season.

He later reunited with longtime stage partner Penn Jillette in the Season 5 finale of prequel series "Young Sheldon," playing Pus, the silent half of the dermatological duo Acne and Pus, as 12-year-old Sheldon (Iain Armitage) grappled with his first pimple.

As revealed in the trailer for "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," Teller returns to the franchise, this time seemingly playing himself in one of the series' post-apocalyptic alternate realities.

Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton made his "Big Bang Theory" debut in Season 3's "The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary," playing a heightened version of himself. Initially established as a frenemy of Dr. Sheldon Cooper, Wheaton eventually became a friend of Sheldon and a frequent presence in the group's lives, appearing in 17 episodes across nine seasons.

As revealed in an HBO Max sizzle reel, Wheaton resurfaces in "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe." He appears inside Stuart's comic book store, seemingly firing an energy blast at Stuart, Denise, Bert, and Kripke, suggesting he's some sort of wizard — or at least hails from one of the show's more magical alternate realities.

Recommended