Simon Helberg is an American actor, comedian, and musician who gained widespread recognition for his role as Howard Wolowitz on the hit CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019).
Known for his portrayal of the eccentric aerospace engineer, Helberg’s character was a key figure in the series, which became a cultural phenomenon.
His talent for combining humour with dramatic depth has also been showcased in films such as Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), where his performance as Cosmé McMoon earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 9, 1980, Simon Helberg grew up in Los Angeles, California. His parents were deeply involved in the entertainment industry: his father, Sandy Helberg, was an actor, and his mother, Harriet B. Helberg, was a casting director.
Now 44 in 2024, Helberg had a multicultural upbringing, with Jewish-German ancestry, which significantly shaped his early experiences.
His varied interests marked Helberg’s childhood. Initially, he focused on martial arts, earning a black belt in karate by age 10. However, as he grew older, his focus shifted to the arts, particularly acting and music.
He attended Crossroads School in Santa Monica before pursuing higher education at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. There, he trained in acting at the Atlantic Theater Company, laying the foundation for his future in entertainment.
Personal Life
Simon Helberg married actress Jocelyn Towne in 2007, and the couple has been together ever since. Jocelyn is the niece of renowned screenwriter Robert Towne.
The couple has two children: their daughter, Adeline Helberg, born in May 2012, and their son, Wilder Towne Helberg, born in April 2014. Their relationship has been largely drama-free, with no publicized controversies surrounding their marriage.
In 2014, Helberg revealed that he had briefly split from Jocelyn before their marriage, but the two eventually reconciled and have remained a close-knit family since.
Career
Helberg’s acting career began in the early 2000s with minor roles in films like Old School (2003), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). His collaboration with comedian Derek Waters on various sketch comedy projects, including MADtv and their web series Derek & Simon, showcased his comedic timing and creativity early on.
However, his casting as Howard Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory brought Helberg international fame. The series, which ran for 12 seasons, made him a household name, earning him several awards and recognition as one of TV’s highest-paid actors.
Apart from TV, Helberg has had notable roles in films such as the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man (2009) and Florence Foster Jenkins (2016). In the latter, his portrayal of pianist Cosmé McMoon earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination.
Helberg also showed his musical talents by playing the piano in the film. More recently, he starred alongside Adam Driver in Annette (2021), demonstrating his acting versatility.
Awards
– Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2013)
– Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (2016)
– Nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (The Big Bang Theory)
Net Worth
Simon Helberg’s estimated net worth is $45 million. His primary source of income has been his work on The Big Bang Theory, where he was one of the highest-paid actors on television, earning approximately $23.5 million in 2018 alone.
Filmography
– Mumford (1999)
– Van Wilder (2002)
– Old School (2003)
– A Cinderella Story (2004)
– Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
– A Serious Man (2009)
– Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
– Annette (2021)
– As They Made Us (2022)
– Space Oddity (2022)
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