TNG Guest Dr. Hawking On The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is on a big Star Trek roll. First, the show at long last snagged Leonard Nimoy and now it’s been revealed that Professor Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist, will appear as himself in an upcoming episode. Nimoy’s episode will air on March 29 and features the Star Trek legend providing the voice of Spock in a dream sequence, while Dr. Hawking – who’d previously played a holographic version of himself in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Descent Part I,” -- will appear as himself in a scene with Sheldon (Jim Parsons) in the following week’s episode, airing April 5. 

Big Bang Theory executive producer Bill Prady took to the show's Facebook page to comment on the casting of Dr. Hawking. "When people would ask us who a ‘dream guest star’ for the show would be, we would always joke and say Stephen Hawking – knowing that it was a long shot of astronomical proportions,” he said. “In fact, we’re not exactly sure how we got him. It’s the kind of mystery that could only be understood by, say, a Stephen Hawking.”

Keep an eye on StarTrek.com for additional details about both appearances.