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Wil Wheaton, a fan-favorite from “Star Trek,” made his debut on “The Big Bang Theory” in its third season, playing a version of himself. For 12 years, through twelve seasons, the show featured a variety of guest stars, many of whom were fellow “Star Trek” alumni. Interestingly, Wheaton’s recurring role on the show was almost a missed opportunity as he was initially opposed to the idea of being part of it.
As detailed in Jessica Radloff’s 2022 book “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series,” convincing Wheaton to join the show was not an easy task. However, once he did, he became a regular, appearing in all but three seasons. Wheaton confessed that he was initially against the show, fearing that it would ridicule lifelong nerds like him. However, after giving the show a chance, he became a huge fan, even expressing regret for his earlier bias towards it.
Wheaton’s Reluctance to Portray Himself on The Big Bang Theory
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Getting Wheaton on board was a challenge. Bill Prady, the show’s co-creator, had to personally intervene. Wheaton recalled receiving an email from Prady’s assistant, inviting him for a conversation. Prady won him over with his kindness and genuine care, leading to a lifelong friendship between the two. Prady wanted Wheaton to play a version of himself on the show, a concept Wheaton was initially unsure about.
According to Prady, Wheaton’s hesitation to play himself was not uncommon among actors. After all, actors choose their profession to portray other characters, not themselves. Regardless, the team was determined to cast Wheaton. The fact that he lived near Pasadena, the setting of the series, and could potentially be a regular at the comic book store frequented by Sheldon and his friends, made him a fitting choice. The challenge was convincing him to portray himself.
The Creative Solution for Wil Wheaton’s Role
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Wheaton expressed his concerns to Radloff about the notion of playing himself, feeling that it was not deserved or earned. He was worried that his appearance would be reduced to a one-off cameo, something he did not want. Despite his love for the show, Wheaton was keen on auditioning for a character instead of playing himself. Prady understood Wheaton’s concerns, but maintained that Wheaton was the only one who could play Wil Wheaton.
Prady gave Wheaton the option to think over the idea of playing himself, also assuring him that he would be considered for non-Wheaton roles. However, it was Wheaton’s friend, John Rogers, creator of series like “Leverage” and “The Librarians,” who convinced Wheaton to take up the role. Rogers strongly advised Wheaton to seize the opportunity of appearing on the popular TV show or risk the end of their friendship. Wheaton heeded the advice.
Prady expressed his gratitude towards Rogers’ intervention and managed to find a way to make Wheaton happy. The solution? Making Wheaton’s character an ‘evil’ version of himself, an idea that Wheaton loved and was excited about. Over time, the character evolved into a friend of the main characters.
A Career-Defining Role for Wil Wheaton
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While Wheaton’s character began as ‘Evil Wil Wheaton,’ by the fifth season, he made peace with Sheldon and became friends with the group. Wheaton’s presence in the series is hard to overlook, making appearances in almost every season.
When “The Big Bang Theory” ended in 2019 with its season 12 finale, Wheaton expressed his gratitude for the show on Instagram (the post has since been deleted, but was documented on Digital Spy). He identified ‘Stand By Me,’ ‘Star Trek,’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’ as the pillars of his career. Wheaton appreciated the rare opportunity to be part of three iconic productions, when just one would be a significant achievement for any actor.
Wheaton credits “The Big Bang Theory” for not only being a part of his career but also for saving it. Despite his struggles in the industry, he believes that the show kept his on-camera acting career alive. He acknowledged that his future on-camera work would be built upon the foundation laid by his work on “The Big Bang Theory.”
For fans who want to revisit Wheaton’s 17 episodes on “The Big Bang Theory,” the series is currently available for streaming on Max.
FAQs
Did Wil Wheaton play himself on The Big Bang Theory?
Yes, Wil Wheaton played a version of himself on The Big Bang Theory.
What was Wil Wheaton’s character like on The Big Bang Theory?
Wil Wheaton’s character began as ‘Evil Wil Wheaton,’ but evolved over time to become friends with the main characters.
When did Wil Wheaton first appear on The Big Bang Theory?
Wil Wheaton made his first appearance on The Big Bang Theory in its third season.
How many episodes of The Big Bang Theory did Wil Wheaton appear in?
Wil Wheaton appeared in 17 episodes of The Big Bang Theory.
Where can I watch Wil Wheaton’s episodes of The Big Bang Theory?
You can watch Wil Wheaton’s episodes of The Big Bang Theory on the streaming platform, Max.
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