Big Bang Theory cast take $100k per episode pay cut to get Rauch, Bialik a hike

Ahead of the expected two-season renewal, the original cast members of the popular CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, have reportedly taken pay cuts of $1 lakh per episode to get fellow actors Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik a raise.

Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar made the gesture while Bialik and Rauch are still in the process of negotiating new contracts, seeking parity with their co-stars, reported Variety.

The original five stars, who currently earn around $1 million per episode, would make $100 thousand less per episode in a potential 11th and 12th seasons.

That $500,000 would be split between Rauch and Bialik, who are both currently in the $200,000 range, bringing their new per episode pay to around $450,000.

Both the actresses, who joined the series in season 3 before becoming regulars in season 4, have become an important part of the CBS comedy.

In the last Big Bang contract renewal cycle, Helberg and Nayyar secured raises that eventually brought them to seven-figure parity (as of this current season) with Parsons, Galecki and Cuoco.

Currently in its 10th season, the long-running comedy is expected to be renewed for two seasons, executive producer Bill Prady previously wrote on his Facebook that the deal was already done.