Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik plays neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory. Amy's formal manner is only part of the performance. Bialik lets enthusiasm, competitiveness and the wish to belong break through it, giving the character a comic life beyond her similarities to Sheldon. Her scenes with Penny are especially good at revealing how much Amy wants from a friendship.

Bialik first became widely known as the title character in Blossom and played the young version of Bette Midler's character in Beaches. She earned a doctorate in neuroscience at UCLA in 2007, before joining The Big Bang Theory. Amy brought her four supporting-actress Emmy nominations.

Her other television work includes Jodi Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm, appearances as Amy in Young Sheldon, and the lead role in Call Me Kat. She has also worked as a writer, director and television host.