When people think about The Big Bang Theory, the same names usually come to mind: Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, and Raj. And that makes sense, since the show was built around them. But over the course of 12 seasons, the series introduced a huge number of minor characters who show up, make some kind of impact, and then disappear without ever becoming a real talking point among the public. Sure, a few of them stood out enough to become fan favorites, but others are barely remembered at all. And that’s what’s interesting: this smaller group is genuinely underrated, because they also helped shape the show’s humor, explain character behavior, and even support important story arcs without ever drawing attention to themselves.
If the show worked for so long and became one of the most successful sitcoms of its generation, a big part of that is thanks to these supporting players. With that in mind, here are 7 minor characters that hardly anyone talks about, but who played an important role in helping The Big Bang Theory become what it was.
7) Dale
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Only real The Big Bang Theory fans tend to remember Dale. He’s the kind of character who barely shows up, but when he does, it immediately feels strange because you don’t quite remember ever seeing him before. He mostly appears at the comic book store, filling in for Stuart in a few scenes, and works perfectly as background humor built on contrast. Dale is never the focus, but his presence makes it clear that the show’s world doesn’t revolve solely around the core nerd quartet — there are “normal” people out there trying to interact with them, too.
The issue is that he has no real arc and no recognizable catchphrase, which makes him easy to forget. But that anonymity is exactly what makes the character interesting: Dale exists to highlight just how socially awkward the main group actually is, even when dealing with the most ordinary people around them.
6) Mrs. Janine Davis
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Mrs. Janine Davis is the head of HR at Caltech, and honestly, the little time she gets on screen is all impact. She’s firm, dry, and completely immune to the nerd charm of the main characters. Every time she shows up, Sheldon and Leonard become instantly uncomfortable, like the real world has suddenly knocked on their door to remind them where they are — and none of them know how to handle it. She’s essential in showing that, outside of nerd routines and lab experiments, there are actual rules and real consequences.
Unfortunately, she’s not a character most viewers remember, mainly because she doesn’t have a defining trait or standout gimmick. Still, every time she appears, you can feel the value of a character who works as a catalyst. She brings order to chaos, and that chaos is always funnier because she’s there to shut it down.
5) Bert Kibbler
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Among the characters hardly anyone talks about, Bert Kibbler definitely qualifies (even if a few fans remember him here and there). Tall and somewhat introverted, he isn’t exactly a nerd, but he clearly wants to belong, and that leads to moments that are awkward — and obviously hilarious. He stumbles socially, tries to fit in, and fails in ways that seem small, but work perfectly as contrast-based comedy.
What makes Bert especially effective is that he never has to compete with the main group. He shows up, does something mildly awkward, creates a bit of discomfort, and then disappears. And that’s enough. Those brief interactions put the main characters into perspective and reinforce how out of place they also sound outside their own bubble (because Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard are just as socially offbeat). Bert ends up feeling funny and human without needing an elaborate storyline, which is exactly why he stands out as one of The Big Bang Theory‘s most underrated minor characters.
4) Mrs. Fowler
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Amy’s mother only appeared a handful of times on the show, but that doesn’t diminish her strength as a character at all. Mrs. Fowler shows up, tells a few hard truths, and immediately shifts the tone of any scene she’s in. Direct and sarcastic, she effortlessly shuts down pretension and puts her daughter (and sometimes Sheldon) in their place without wasting time. She doesn’t need a long arc because she’s memorable simply for being someone who has zero tolerance for nonsense. And every time she appears, you understand Amy a little better, along with how jarring the real world can be for the group’s tightly sealed nerd bubble.
She’s one of the show’s most grounded characters, and she’s funny because she reacts the way a normal person would to Sheldon’s behavior or to the group’s bizarre conversations. Looked at that way, she probably would get far more credit if she had appeared more often. Still, she leaves an impression that few TV moms manage to pull off.
3) Dr. V.M. Koothrappali & Mrs. Koothrappali
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Everyone remembers Raj’s parents, but almost no one brings them up when talking about minor characters. Dr. V. M. Koothrappali and Mrs. Koothrappali don’t appear very often, but every scene they’re in works like a small cultural shock that helps explain a lot about Raj’s behavior. Their expectations around marriage and grandchildren create plenty of awkward moments, and also give emotional depth to a character who could have been reduced to just the shy nerd who couldn’t talk to women for a long time.
They exist in The Big Bang Theory mainly to amplify their son’s arc, and while they’re not exactly the show’s funniest figures, they’re essential to understanding who Raj is beyond the running joke. Without them, many of his insecurities and contradictions would feel exaggerated or unearned. They help ground the humor and add humanity to his storyline, making his growth feel more believable over time.
2) Leslie Winkle
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Leslie Winkle is probably the most underused female side character on the show. She’s sarcastic, smart, and definitely doesn’t fit the “shy nerd girl” mold we later got used to with Amy and Bernadette. Every scene she shares with Leonard or Sheldon is full of comedic tension, mainly because her defining trait is having zero patience for the group’s quirks and being completely capable of calling them out on equal footing. On top of that, her brief flings and scientific rivalries created some genuinely unique moments.
The biggest issue is that she left The Big Bang Theory far too early. If she had stayed longer, she would easily be one of the show’s most remembered and talked-about characters. Leslie brings a kind of humor and criticism that the series rarely makes room for, and it’s something the show clearly misses after she’s gone. Watching a character with sharp intelligence, strong sarcasm, and perfect timing dismantle the protagonists is always satisfying. She could have been used much more, but even so, every one of her scenes feels worth it.
1) Missy Cooper
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Most people got to know Missy Cooper better through the spin-off Young Sheldon, but Sheldon’s twin sister did make a few appearances on The Big Bang Theory as well (just not nearly as many as their mother, Mary Cooper). Because her screen time is so limited, she rarely comes up in conversations about the show. Still, one thing is certain: she completely owns every scene she shares with her brother just by being herself. While Sheldon is rigid, obsessive, and socially awkward, Missy is straightforward, confident, and effortlessly funny, which makes their interactions especially sharp.
Put them together, and Sheldon instantly comes across as even stranger and funnier. Whenever Missy is on screen, the result is almost always one of the show’s most human and genuinely entertaining moments. She may be a side character, but her role is crucial in revealing a side of Sheldon that no one else really can. Missy is the kind who quietly steals scenes and reminds the audience that The Big Bang Theory works best when it leans into character dynamics, rather than just science jokes and nerdy routines.
Which minor character is your favorite? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!