Mayim Bialik

Actress Mayim Bialik found childhood stardom as the star of "Blossom" (NBC, 1990-95) and then returned with a breakout role as an adult on "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS, 2007-19). Born in San Diego, California, she began acting as a child. She made appearances on "Beauty and the Beast" (CBS, 1987-90) and "The Facts of Life" (NBC, 1979-88), and had a recurring role on "Webster" (ABC, 1983-89). She had her first brush with stardom when she was cast as the young version of Bette Midler's CC in the hit film "Beaches" (1988). While she was only on screen for a brief time, her miniature take on the brash Midler caught the attention of audiences. She was given the starring role in the sitcom "Molloy" (Fox, 1990) but the show lasted for just four episodes. Her next attempt at sitcom stardom, however, was a winner. She took the lead of "Blossom," playing a spirited teen girl, alongside Joey Lawrence and Jenna von Oy. Airing after Will Smith's "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (NBC, 1990-96), the show was an instant hit with young audiences. While appearing on the show, Woody Allen cast the actress in his TV remake of his play "Don't Drink the Water" (ABC, 1994). After "Blossom" ended, Bialik largely worked as a voice actor while concentrating on her studies. While working on her doctorate in neurobiology, she would act on occasion, appearing in the indie comedy "Kalamazoo?" (2006) and playing the recurring character of Jodi, the transgender son of Bob Einstein's Marty Funkhouser, on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000- ). After earning her Ph.D., she had a recurring role on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (Freeform, 2008-13) playing a counselor. In 2010, she joined "The Big Bang Theory" as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, the love interest of Jim Parsons' Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Her character became a hit with the show's fans and she eventually became a series regular. The role would earn her four Emmy nominations. During her time on the show, she hosted a reboot of the hidden camera show "Candid Camera" (TV Land, 2014). She also appeared with Gary Cole in the drama "The Chicago 8" (2011) and starred in the romance "The Flight Before Christmas" (Lifetime, 2015).