Simon Helberg
American actor and comedian (born 1980)
title: "Simon Helberg" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1980-births", "living-people", "20th-century-american-comedians", "20th-century-american-jews", "20th-century-american-male-actors", "21st-century-american-comedians", "21st-century-american-jews", "21st-century-american-male-actors", "american-male-comedians", "american-male-film-actors", "american-male-television-actors", "american-people-of-german-jewish-descent", "american-reform-jews", "american-sketch-comedians", "comedians-from-los-angeles", "crossroads-school-alumni", "jewish-american-comedians", "jewish-american-male-actors", "jewish-male-comedians", "male-actors-from-los-angeles", "tisch-school-of-the-arts-alumni", "naturalized-citizens-of-france", "french-actors"] description: "American actor and comedian (born 1980)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Helberg" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American actor and comedian (born 1980) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | CES 2026 - Simon Helberg 02 (cropped).jpg |
| caption | Helberg at CES 2026 |
| birth_name | Simon Maxwell Helberg |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| citizenship | |
| education | New York University (BFA) |
| occupation | |
| years_active | 1999–present |
| father | Sandy Helberg |
| spouse | |
| children | 2 |
| :: |
| image = CES 2026 - Simon Helberg 02 (cropped).jpg | caption = Helberg at CES 2026 | birth_name = Simon Maxwell Helberg | birth_date = | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | citizenship = | education = New York University (BFA) | occupation = | years_active = 1999–present | father = Sandy Helberg | spouse = | children = 2 Simon Maxwell Helberg (born December 9, 1980) is an American actor and comedian. From 2007 to 2019, he played Howard Wolowitz on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory and won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role. His performance as Cosmé McMoon in the film Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Helberg has also appeared on the sketch comedy series MADtv as a cast member in season 8 (2002–2003), and his other film roles including Old School (2003), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), A Serious Man (2009), and Annette (2021).
Early life
Simon Maxwell Helberg was born on December 9, 1980, in Los Angeles.
Helberg attended middle and high school at the Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California, with Jason Ritter, who later became his roommate at New York University. He attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he trained at the Atlantic Theater Company.
Career
Since the early 2000s, Helberg performed with comedian Derek Waters as the sketch comedy duo Derek & Simon. In 2007, the two starred together in Derek and Simon: The Show, a web series they created with comedian Bob Odenkirk for the comedy website Super Deluxe. They previously made two short films "Derek & Simon: The Pity Card" (co-starring Zach Galifianakis and Bill Hader) and "Derek & Simon: A Bee and a Cigarette" (co-starring Casey Wilson and Emily Rutherfurd) and had a pilot deal with HBO in 2005. One of Helberg's earliest jobs in television was briefly joining the cast of MADtv for one season in 2002.
Helberg appeared in the 2002 feature film Van Wilder as one of the geeky students for whom Van Wilder was throwing a party. He had a minor role in the 2003 movie Old School. In 2004, he was in two episodes of Reno 911!: Student Driver in "Raineesha X" and Hooker Buying Son in "Not Without My Mustache". He had a small role in the sixth episode of Quintuplets, "Get a Job", as a man called Neil working behind the counter at a shoe shop where Paige and Patton were working.
In 2004, he appeared in the film A Cinderella Story, starring Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. Helberg played the minor role of Simon in George Clooney's 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, where he had one line. In 2005, he had a bit part on Arrested Development as Jeff, an employee of the film studio where Maeby worked. From 2006 to 2007, he had a minor supporting role as Alex Dwyer in the drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In 2006, he appeared in a series of comical TV commercials for Richard Branson's UK financial services company Virgin Money. He played a small role in the 2007 film Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story as a Jewish record producer.
In 2007, Helberg was cast as Howard Wolowitz, in the CBS comedy series The Big Bang Theory. Forbes placed him third in its world's highest-paid TV actors list in 2018 with his revenues rising to $23.5 million in that year.
He appeared as the character Moist in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, and had a small role in the pilot episode of the Judd Apatow-produced sitcom Undeclared. In the 2009 Coen brothers film A Serious Man, he played junior Rabbi Scott Ginsler. He had a minor role in the season 4 finale of The Guild as one of the Game Masters.
In 2016, Helberg starred alongside Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant in Florence Foster Jenkins, directed by Stephen Frears; he played pianist Cosmé McMoon and his performance was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Not only did Helberg act in the film, he also played the piano. Helberg next starred in Annette opposite Adam Driver.
Personal life
Helberg married actress Jocelyn Towne, the niece of screenwriter Robert Towne, on July 7, 2007. They have a daughter and a son.
Helberg has been friends with Nathan Hamill, son of actor Mark Hamill, since he was 9 years old. Helberg has been friends with actor Jason Ritter since he was 12 years old. They went to college together and continue to work together when given the opportunity.
Through his wife Jocelyn, who is a French citizen through her French mother, Helberg himself became a French citizen to obtain the role of the Conductor in French director Leos Carax's English-language debut Annette, which opened the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Filmography
Film
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Cast_of_The_Big_Bang_Theory_05_(Simon_Helberg_cropped).jpg" caption="Simon Helberg in 2010"] ::
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Mumford | College Roommate | |
| 2002 | Van Wilder | Vernon | |
| 2003 | Old School | Jerry | |
| 2004 | A Cinderella Story | Terry | |
| 2005 | Good Night, and Good Luck | CBS page | |
| 2006 | Derek & Simon: A Bee and a Cigarette | Simon | Short film; also writer and producer |
| The Pity Card | |||
| Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas | Al | ||
| The TV Set | TJ Goldman | ||
| For Your Consideration | Junior Agent | ||
| 2007 | Careless | Stewart | |
| Evan Almighty | Staffer | ||
| Mama's Boy | Rathkon | ||
| Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story | Dreidel L'Chaim | ||
| 2009 | A Serious Man | Rabbi Scott Ginsler | |
| 2011 | The Selling | Young Husband | |
| Let Go | Frank | ||
| 2013 | I Am I | Seth | Also executive producer |
| 2014 | We'll Never Have Paris | Quinn Berman | Also director, writer and producer |
| 2015 | Hollywood Adventures | Translator | |
| 2016 | Florence Foster Jenkins | Cosmé McMoon | |
| 2021 | Annette | The Accompanist | |
| 2022 | As They Made Us | Nathan | |
| Space Oddity | Dmitri | ||
| 2025 | For Worse | Mediator | |
| :: |
Television
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Popular | Gus Latrine | Episode: "Coup" |
| Cursed | Andy Tinker | Episode: "And then Jack Became the Voice of Cougars" | |
| Ruling Class | Fred Foster | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Son of the Beach | Billy | Episode: "It's Showtime at the Apollo 13!" | |
| Undeclared | Jack | Episode: "Prototype" | |
| 2002 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | The Spokesman | Episode: "Time After Time" |
| The Funkhousers | Donnie Funkhouser | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2002–2003 | MADtv | Various | 5 episodes |
| 2003 | Less than Perfect | Arthur | Episode: "It Takes a Pillage" |
| Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales | Adam | Television special | |
| 2004 | Quintuplets | Neil | Episode: "Get a Job" |
| Reno 911! | Hooker Buying Son | Episode: "Not Without My Mustache" | |
| Student Driver | Episode: "Raineesha X" | ||
| 2005 | Unscripted | Simon / Casting Assistant | 2 episodes |
| Life on a Stick | Vinnie | Episode: "Liking Things the Way They Aren't" | |
| Arrested Development | Jeff | Episode: "Meat the Veals" | |
| 2004–2006 | Joey | Seth Tobin | 4 episodes |
| 2006 | The Jake Effect | Bill Skidelsky | Episode: "Flight School" |
| 2006–2007 | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Alex Dwyer | 14 episodes |
| 2007 | Derek and Simon: The Show | Simon | Main role; also co-creator, writer and producer |
| The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman | Matt Menard | Episode: "Bad Luck Brad" | |
| 2007–2019 | The Big Bang Theory | Howard Wolowitz | Main role |
| 2008 | Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog | Moist | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | The Guild | Kevinator- Official Game Master | Episode: "Guild Hall" |
| 2010–2011 | Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil | Ronaldo (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2011–2016 | Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness | Bian Zao (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2013 | Drunk History | Frank Mason Robinson | Episode: "Atlanta" |
| 2014 | The Tom and Jerry Show | Napoleon (voice) | 9 episodes |
| 2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself | Episode: "Simon Helberg Wears a Sky Blue Button Down and Jeans" |
| 2021 | Dug Days | Squirrel (voice) | Episode: "Science" |
| Young Sheldon | Howard Wolowitz (voice) | Episode: "An Introduction to Engineering and a Glob of Hair Gel" | |
| 2023–2025 | Poker Face | FBI Agent Luca Clark | 5 episodes |
| 2023–2024 | American Dad! | Dr. Revanche / Creep (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2025 | Night Court | Spencer | Episode: "A Decent Proposal" |
| :: |
Theatre
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Doctor Cerberus | Franklin Robertson | L.A. Theatre Works, Los Angeles, United States |
| How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Bud Frump | Reprise Theatre Company, Los Angeles, United States | |
| 2013 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Demetrius | L.A. Theatre Works, Los Angeles, United States |
| 2016 | God of Carnage | Alan | L.A. Theatre Works, Los Angeles, United States |
| 2018 | Lenin's Embalmers | Boris | L.A. Theatre Works, Los Angeles, United States |
| It's a Wonderful Life | George Bailey | Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, United States | |
| 2021 | The Murder on the Links | Captain Hastings | L.A. Theatre Works, Los Angeles, United States |
| :: |
Awards and nominations
::data[format=table]
References
References
- "Simon Helberg".
- (October 25, 2013). "'Big Bang Theory's' Kate Micucci on Howard's 'Song for Bernadette': Simon Helberg 'Nailed It' in One Take (Video)".
- "Simon Helberg".
- Miller, Gerri. (September 4, 2007). "Fall TV Preview: Simon Helberg".
- Bloom, Nate. (January 26, 2012). "Jewish Stars 1/27". [[Cleveland Jewish News]].
- Lindhome, Riki. "Making It #1: Jason Ritter". [[Nerdist Podcast Network.
- "Eight Tisch Alumni Nominated for 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". [[Tisch School of the Arts]], [[New York University]].
- Davies, Alex. (September 30, 2019). "Big Bang Theory: The 4 real-life educations of Big Bang stars". [[Daily Express]].
- "''The Big Bang Theory'' Cast: Simon Helberg".
- Fox, Jesse David (September 1, 2015).[http://www.vulture.com/2015/08/odenkirk-talks-to-waters-about-drunk-history.html "Bob Odenkirk Talks to Derek Waters About ''Drunk History'', Drinking With David Simon, and the State of Sitcoms"]. {{Webarchive. link. (January 27, 2016. [[New York (magazine)#Digital). ''Vulture'']].
- Desta, Yohana. (July 27, 2016). "7 Breakout Stars Who Got Their Start on MadTV".
- Quillard, Bobby. (August 16, 2010). "Talk Nerdy to Me: Simon Helberg of The Big Bang Theory". [[Venus Zine]].
- "Highest-Paid TV Actors 2018".
- (December 12, 2016). "Golden Globes Nominations: 25 Biggest Snubs and Surprises".
- Ruggieri, Melissa. (August 11, 2016). "'Big Bang' star Simon Helberg talks playing piano and working with Meryl Streep in 'Florence Foster Jenkins'". [[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]].
- Wiseman, Andreas. (October 9, 2019). "Simon Helberg Joins Adam Driver & Marion Cotillard In Leos Carax's Amazon Musical 'Annette'; France Deal Inked As Cameras Roll".
- Bowerman, Jeanne Veillette. (August 18, 2011). "Balls of Steel: I Am I ... and Then Some". Script Magazine.
- Raz, Gali. (March 12, 2014). "Simon Helberg Gets Together With His Real Life Wife Jocelyn Towne To Direct A Movie – On Their Romance". [[Jewish Business News]].
- (January 27, 2012). "Baby on the Way for Simon Helberg".
- Webber, Stephanie. (June 24, 2014). "Simon Helberg and Wife Jocelyn Towne Welcome Second Child, Baby Boy Wilder Towne Helberg".
- "Watch: Mark Hamill guest starts on The Big Bang Theory in new BTS footage".
- (June 17, 2014). "I AM I Interview: Jason Ritter". [[Collider (website).
- (July 6, 2021). "Simon Helberg Is Deeply Committed".
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