The Big Bang Theory: The Benefactor Factor


01:30 am - 02:00 am, Monday, December 1 on WPIX HDTV (11.1)

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About this Broadcast
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The Benefactor Factor

Season 4, Episode 15

Leonard has a moral crisis when he meets a wealthy widow who is willing to help the university.

repeat 2011 English 1080i Dolby 5.1
Comedy Sitcom Romance

Cast & Crew
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Kaley Cuoco (Actor) .. Penny
Johnny Galecki (Actor) .. Leonard
Jim Parsons (Actor) .. Sheldon
Simon Helberg (Actor) .. Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar (Actor) .. Rajesh Koothrappali
Mayim Bialik (Actor) .. Amy
Jessica Walter (Actor) .. Mrs. Latham
Joshua Malina (Actor) .. Presdient Siebert
Bill Prady (Actor)
Aarti Mann (Actor)
Richard Bernard (Actor) .. Wealthy Benefactor

More Information
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Did You Know..
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Kaley Cuoco (Actor) .. Penny
Born: November 30, 1985
Birthplace: Camarillo, California, United States
Trivia: Kaley Cuoco began modeling and acting at the tender age of six, when she was cast in the TV movie Quicksand: No Escape. Growing up in front of the camera, the young actress continued to appear as the requisite little girl in movies like Virtuosity and Picture Perfect until she was cast as teenage daughter Bridget on the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. TV would prove to be the actor's bread and butter, and she would go on to star on Charmed, 6Teen, and Monster Allergy, not to mention The Big Bang Theory, a show that earned her legions of fans as Penny, the hot neighbor of two geeky physicists (Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons). Cuoco also continued to appear in films, though on a much smaller scale compared to her TV work. She appeared in a supporting role in the Easter film Hop in 2011, and played the female lead opposite Kevin Hart and Josh Gad in The Wedding Ringer in 2015.
Johnny Galecki (Actor) .. Leonard
Born: April 30, 1975
Birthplace: Bree, Belguim
Trivia: Born on a Belgian army base, curly brown-haired Johnny Galecki grew up in Chicago and started acting professionally at the age of 12. He made his feature film debut in 1988 as River Phoenix's little brother in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon. He then assumed the role of Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and gained his first regular role on a TV series as Robert Ulrich's son in American Dreamer. In 1991, he starred in the made-for-TV movie Backfield in Motion, co-starring the production team of Roseanne and Tom Arnold. The next year, Galecki joined the cast of Roseanne as Darlene's sensitive and put-upon boyfriend David Healy. He stayed on the show until its final season in 1997, although he wasn't on very much during its last few years. His other television credits include several guest appearances, leading roles in made-for-TV movies, and a part on the short-lived Head of the Class spin-off Billy. After Roseanne ended, he got back into features with small parts in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Bean, and Suicide Kings. He continued playing slightly effeminate sensitive males in The Opposite of Sex and Morgan's Ferry. After bit parts in Bounce, Playing Mona Lisa, and Vanilla Sky, Galecki played a leading role in the comedy thriller Bookies, which premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. In 2007 he landed the leading role in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory and it grew to be one of the most popular shows on TV, earning Galecki Emmy, Golden Globe, and Sag nominations in 2011 for his work on the show. He maintained his movie career in projects such as Hancock and In Time.
Jim Parsons (Actor) .. Sheldon
Birthplace: Houston, TX
Trivia: First noticed by many viewers as Tim -- the Klingon-spouting "knight in training" involved with the mother of Mark (Peter Sarsgaard) in Zach Braff's gently observed comedy drama Garden State (2004) -- American actor Jim Parsons moved from this memorable debut into a sequence of periodic roles in U.S. features. These included Chris Terrio's urban ensemble drama Heights (2004), opposite Glenn Close and Elizabeth Banks, and Brad Silberling's comedy drama 10 Items or Less (2006), opposite Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega. His breakout success came when he was cast as uber-nerd Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. His work on that show led to him scoring an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and helped him earn small parts on the big screen in The Big Year and The Muppets.
Simon Helberg (Actor) .. Howard Wolowitz
Born: December 09, 1980
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Trivia: Though initially typecast in comedic roles -- including a small turn in Old School (2003), a contribution to Tracey Ullman in The Trailer Tales (2003), and work on MADtv -- American character actor Simon Helberg quickly branched out into diverse genres. He appeared as a CBS page in George Clooney's revered Edward R. Murrow biopic Good Night, and Good Luck., as a junior agent in Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration (2006), and in a recurring role on the Aaron Sorkin comedy drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In 2007, Helberg was cast in the regular role of Howard Wolowitz on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, about a couple of nerdy physicists (Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons) who struggle with women, and everything else outside the lab. In 2007, Helberg also made appearances in the comedies Mama's Boy and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. He played a young rabbi in the Coen brothers film A Serious Man (2009), and continued to make guest appearances on TV shows such as Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil and Drunk History, while maintaining his regular status on The Big Bang Theory.
Kunal Nayyar (Actor) .. Rajesh Koothrappali
Born: April 30, 1981
Birthplace: London, England
Trivia: Actor Kunal Nayyar first made a splash in Hollywood playing physicist Koothrappali on the series The Big Bang Theory, which debuted on CBS in 2007. In 2012 Nayyar voiced the character of Gupta in Ice Age: Continental Drift, and the following year he could be seen opposite Gina Gershon and Billy Campbell in the thriller, The Scribbler. In addition to his feature work Nayyar also co-wrote the critically acclaimed play Cotton Candy, which runs in New Delhi.
Mayim Bialik (Actor) .. Amy
Born: December 12, 1975
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States
Trivia: Name means "water" in Hebrew. Had her big break in the 1988 film Beaches, playing the younger version of Bette Midler. Appeared in the music video for Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl." Made her television debut in the 1980s fantasy series Beauty and the Beast. Best known for her role as the title character in the sitcom Blossom. Was successful in many voiceover roles in animated series, including Kim Possible and Hey Arnold! Appeared on a 2009 episode of What Not To Wear. Her The Big Bang Theory character, Amy Farrah Fowler, is a neurobiologist, corresponding to Bialik's real-life degrees in neuroscience. Is a spokesperson for the Holistic Moms Network and gave birth to her second son at home.
Jessica Walter (Actor) .. Mrs. Latham
Born: January 31, 1941
Died: March 24, 2021
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Trivia: Learning the ropes at the Bucks County Playhouse and New York's Neighborhood Playhouse, Jessica Walter, born January 31st, 1949, made her Broadway debut in 1961's Advise and Consent. The raven-haired leading lady was then seen on a regular basis in several Manhattan-based TV programs, including the daytimer Love of Life and the 1965 nighttime series For the People. In films from 1964, Jessica was one of eight young female "newcomers" (Candice Bergen, Elizabeth Hartman, Joanna Pettet et. al.) who went on to greater things after appearing en masse in Sidney Lumet's The Group (1966). Her flashiest screen role was as the dangerously possessive "number one fan" Evelyn Draper in Clint Eastwood's Play Misty for Me (1971). Of her many weekly-TV assignments, Walter's title role in the mid-'70s cop series Amy Prentiss garnered her the most attention; that is, until recently, when Walter found late-career acclaim on the award-winning sitcom Arrested Development. As the insensitive, materialistic matriarch of the Bluth family, Walter garnered a plum comedic role, and Emmy attention to boot. Walter continued to remain active in television appearances following the cancellation of Arrested Development, and joined the cast of the Broadway revival of Anything Goes in 2011.
Joshua Malina (Actor) .. Presdient Siebert
Born: January 17, 1966
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Trivia: After graduating from Yale drama school in 1988, bookish actor Joshua Malina was cast in Aaron Sorkin's Broadway production of A Few Good Men and began a collaboration that would span decades. Malina had his first film role in the 1993 Hollywood adaptation of Sorkin's play and also appeared in the Sorkin-penned romantic drama The American President. A few small roles followed -- notably a part in 1998's Bulworth and a multiple-episode stint on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show -- before Sorkin came calling again in 1998, casting Malina as one of the leads in the critically acclaimed ensemble show Sports Night.Despite awards and a loyal cult-following, Sports Night was canceled after only two seasons. Meanwhile, another Sorkin-produced prime-time drama quickly became a hit with both critics and audiences. Though Malina wasn't part of the cast of The West Wing when it premiered in 1999, he joined up in 2002 to fill the void left by the departing Rob Lowe. Malina remained with The West Wing throughout its run, which ended in 2006, but wasted no time before landing another TV gig. In 2007, he was cast alongside former Alias star Michael Vartan in the ABC corporate drama Big Shots. After a five-year hiatus from the big and small screens, he took a small part in Jonathan Kasdan's The First Time.
Melissa Rauch (Actor)
Born: June 23, 1980
Birthplace: Marlboro, New Jersey, United States
Trivia: Began her career as a comedian and had a one-woman show, The Miss Education of Jenna Bush, in which she played the daughter of former president George W. Bush. Co-wrote, directed and starred in the comedic short The Condom Killer. Toured with the political-satire group Gross National Product. Performs with The Realest Real Housewives show, in which comedians read transcripts from the Real Housewives franchise. Was a recurring guest star on series 3 of The Big Bang Theory before joining the cast as a series regular in series 4.
Kevin Sussman (Actor)
Born: December 04, 1970
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Trivia: Studied acting with Uta Hagen. Had a recurring role on The Big Bang Theory starting with its second series, and was promoted to series regular in 2012 for the sixth series. Plays the owner of a comic-book shop in The Big Bang Theory, and once worked at a similar establishment in New York City. Both of his parents are schoolteachers. Has appeared in more than 30 US adverts, including Eggos and FedEx.
Steven V. Silver (Actor)
Mark Cendrowski (Actor)
Born: August 05, 1959
Trivia: Childhood friend with actor and comedian Dave Coulier.In 1980, established University of Michigan's first comedy club along with his wife Cindy.Began his career as stage manager and assistant director.In 1986, joined the Directors Guild as a stage manager.Worked with Johnny Galecki on Roseanne and Kaley Cuoco on 8 Simple Rules before The Big Bang Theory.Has two children with wife Cynthia Glazar.Is a regular visiting professor at the University of Michigan.
Steve Holland (Actor)
Chuck Lorre (Actor)
Born: October 18, 1952
Birthplace: Plainview, New York, United States
Trivia: Began his career as a touring singer and songwriter. Wrote for animated series until getting his big break as a supervising producer for the sitcom Roseanne. Wrote the Deborah Harry 1980s hit "French Kissin' in the USA." Co-composed the soundtrack for the 1980s television series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. Four of his shows — The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, Mom and Two and a Half Men — were all in the Top 20 primetime programs during the week of January 27-February 2, 2014. Received an honorary doctoral degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam. Is known for his vanity cards (run during the end credits of his series) in which he shares his thoughts about life.
Faye Oshima Belyeu (Actor)
Lee Aronsohn (Actor)
Born: December 15, 1952
Trivia: In 1975, moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he opened a comic book and record store.When he moved to Los Angeles, he tried stand-up comedy before starting a career as a writer.Named the character of Vicki, the illegitimate daughter of Captain Stubing in The Love Boat, after his childhood pet dog.Wrote the original music for Two and a Half Men.His film 40 Years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie (2017) took him 2 and a half years to make.
Steven Molaro (Actor)
Bill Prady (Actor)
Born: June 07, 1960
Birthplace: Southfield, Michigan, United States
Trivia: Began his career as a writer for Jim Henson. Was a California gubernatorial candidate in 2003. Worked as a programmer at a software company. Earned a Writer's Guild of America Award for the 1991 tribute special The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson.
Aarti Mann (Actor)
Born: March 03, 1978
Carol Ann Susi (Actor)
Born: February 02, 1952
Died: November 11, 2014
Richard Bernard (Actor) .. Wealthy Benefactor
Sara Gilbert (Actor)
Born: January 29, 1975
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States
Trivia: Like her older half-sister Melissa (Little House on the Prairie), actress Sara Gilbert grew up on a television series, in this case, the long-running ABC sitcom Roseanne (1988-1997). She and her sister and her older half-brother, Jonathon Gilbert, are the third generation of a showbiz family. Her grandfather, Harry Crane, was a writer for The Honeymooners, her grandmother, Julia Crane, was a former Miss Brooklyn and a dancer, and her mother is a producer and talent manager. Gilbert made her professional debut in a television commercial at age six, and from there appeared in the television series Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang (1982). She then played a small role in the made-for-TV movie Calamity Jane, which starred Jane Alexander. Gilbert's career slowed down after that and she did not appear on television until 1988 when she appeared in Runaway Ralph as part of the ABC Weekend Special. As Darlene Connor in Roseanne, Gilbert believably played a cynical, smart-mouthed, but sensitive foil for Roseanne. Gilbert showed versatility as a confused Daddy's girl who is victimized by a calculating Drew Barrymore in Poison Ivy (1989) and as a Southern child with a dark secret who is befriended by a gentle black man in the well-wrought Sudie and Simpson (1990). Gilbert has been twice nominated for an Emmy and has won three Youth in Film Awards. During the last couple seasons of Roseanne, Gilbert began attending Yale University where she studied art and photography. She has also been an avid supporter for various environmental causes through her affiliation with Earth Communications Office (ECO).She stayed away from acting for the most part until 2007 when she began making occasional appearances on the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory often playing opposite her former Roseanne co-star Johnny Galecki. In 2010, she created the talk show The Talk, a knockoff of The View, and serves as an executive producer and co-host of the series.

Before / After
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