Arguably one of the most popular and transcending television knockouts of the 21st century is without-a-doubt the sidesplitting sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which ran for 12 seasons and famously followed the personal and professional lives of a lovable group of nerds in Pasadena, California. The smash hit series featured countless pop culture references and unforgettable cameos throughout its run.
Star Wars legend Mark Hamill made a brilliant and unexpected appearance in the comedy, delighting not only the sci-fi-loving gang but also devoted fans of the show, and his cameo was undeniably one of the most prominent and meaningful. Let's check out the one regret the silver screen icon had after popping up in The Big Bang Theory in its 11th season, and why the experience ended up meaning so much to the celebrated actor.
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*Availability in US Release Date September 24, 2007 Cast Johnny Galecki , Jim Parsons , Kaley Cuoco , Simon Helberg , Kunal Nayyar , Melissa Rauch , Mayim Bialik , Kevin Sussman , Carol Ann Susi , John Ross Bowie , Laura Spencer , Wil Wheaton , Brian George , Christine Baranski , Brian Posehn , Laurie Metcalf , Joshua Malina , Ian Scott Rudolph , Aarti Mann , Brian Thomas Smith , Alice Amter , Pamela Adlon Seasons 12 Expand A Smash Hit Series & Certified Pop Culture Phenomenon Close
For 12 wildly entertaining seasons, the juggernaut sitcom The Big Bang Theory dazzled audiences all across the world by winningly paying tribute to nerd culture and lovers of all things fantasy, sci-fi, and comic book related, with the trailblazing series famously following the brilliant-yet-socially awkward Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) who share an apartment in Pasadena, California. The duo's equally hapless pals and fellow intellects, Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar), have no problem in the science lab but don't know how to act around females or non-nerds.
The four longtime friends find their socially secluded existence completely turned upside down with the arrival of Nebraska transplant Penny (Kaley Cuoco), an aspiring actress and waitress at The Cheesecake Factory who moves in across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon. The fan-favorite series chronicles the ever-changing dynamics and relationships between the colorful characters, as they experience life's many highs-and-lows.
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Posts Mark Hamill's Dazzling Cameo Came with a Regret Close
Star Wars legend and one of the beloved apples of the geeky group's eye, Mark Hamill, delighted devoted fans of the series when he made an epic cameo in the Season 11 episode "The Bow Tie Asymmetry" in 2018. The silver screen staple plays a crucial role in the episode after he crosses paths with Howard, who returns his lost dog Bark Hamill and is offered a favor as a sign of appreciation. The starstruck Howard jumps at the chance and opts to have Hamill officiate the upcoming nuptials of his pals Sheldon and Amy (Mayim Bialik), much to the genius' elation and surprise on the big day.
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Though audiences rejoiced when Hamill made his dazzling cameo in the popular sitcom, the adored Luke Skywalker actor had a major regret when it came to appearing in The Big Bang Theory: he wished he was more familiar with the series and characters themselves. Hamill would have enjoyed discussing the countless Star Wars references sprinkled throughout its twelve sensational seasons, as many episodes directly referenced both the groundbreaking sci-fi franchise and its creator, George Lucas.
Hamill watched around 30-40 episodes of the sitcom before his cameo, but still felt it wasn't enough: "I would have talked to them about when they go to [Lucas' home] Skywalker Ranch, or [the season 9 episode "The Opening Night Excitation"] where it opens with the crawl from ["Star Wars"]." Regardless of the actor feeling unprepared for just how monumental his performance was and what it meant to the cast, crew and fans, he still was deeply moved by the episode and being able to officiate Sheldon and Amy's wedding, telling SlashFilm in 2024:
"That was a cultural, pivotal moment in pop culture. I didn't expect the emotion of the moment to happen to me, so when it did, I got choked up. The whole episode was just so effortlessly well done."
The Big Bang Theory's Many Unforgettable Guests Close
Mark Hamill is not the only Hollywood legend to make a thrilling cameo in The Big Bang Theory, as the sitcom had its fair share of unforgettable guest appearances throughout its impressive run. Hamill's spectacular Star Wars co-stars Carrie Fisher and James Earl Jones each appeared in the 2014 season seven episode "The Convention Conundrum," which follows Sheldon as he ends up marvelously meeting Jones after failing to get tickets to Comic-Con, sharing a wild night together that involves hilariously ding-dong-ditching the home of a baseball bat-wielding Fisher.
Outside the world of Star Wars, revered theoretical physicist and one of Sheldon's biggest idols Stephen Hawking appears, as do fellow famous faces like Batman superstar Adam West, comic book maven Stan Lee, and the brilliant astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson. Star Wars isn't the only sci-fi franchise to be shown some massive love and have its iconic stars pop up in the sitcom, as Star Trek greats William Shatner, George Takei, and Mr. Spock himself Leonard Nimoy all had dazzling cameos, all of which helped The Big Bang Theory emerge as the ultimate TV beacon for nerds everywhere.
Stream The Big Bang Theory on Max.