Mayim Bialik Biography Mayim Chaya Bialik born December 12, 1975 is an American actress, author, and former game show host. She is best known for her role as the title character on the NBC sitcom Blossom (1991–1995). From 2010 to 2019, she portrayed neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, a role that earned her four nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2015 and 2017. Between August 2021 and December 2023, Bialik co-hosted Jeopardy! with Ken Jennings on a rotating basis.
Mayim Bialik Biography
Mayim Bialik, originally from San Diego, began her acting career at the age of 12 with a role in the 1988 film Pumpkinhead. She landed a number of television roles before securing her breakthrough role as Blossom Russo in the NBC sitcom Blossom (1990), which propelled her to fame. While Blossom was still airing in 1993, Bialik had already received a deferred admission to Harvard University and was also accepted into Yale, but ultimately chose to attend UCLA. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2000 and pursued a PhD in Neuroscience, focusing on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome. She completed her doctorate in 2007. Throughout her academic journey, Bialik continued her acting career. She returned to the small screen in 2010 with a prominent role as Amy Farrah Fowler, “Sheldon’s friend who is not his girlfriend.
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Mayim Bialik Biography Details
Born
Mayim Chaya Bialik
December 12, 1975 (age 49)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Education
University of California, Los Angeles (BS, PhD)
Occupations
Actress
author
Years active
1987–present
Spouse
Michael Stone
(m. 2003; div. 2013)
Children
2
Fields
Neuroscience
Thesis
Hypothalamic Regulation in Relation to Maladaptive, Obsessive-Compulsive, Affiliative, and Satiety Behaviors in Prader-Willi Syndrome (2007)
Category
About Mayim Bialik
Mayim Chaya Bialik is an American actress, author and former game show host. From 1991 to 1995, she played the title character of the NBC sitcom Blossom.
Born: 12 December 1975 (age 49 years), San Diego, California, United States
Spouse: Michael Stone (m. 2003–2013)
Education: University of California, Los Angeles (2007) ·
Children: Miles Roosevelt Bialik Stone, Frederick Heschel Bialik Stone
Parents: Barry Bialik, Beverly Bialik
Early Life and Education
Bialik was born on December 12, 1975, in San Diego, California, to Beverly (née Winkleman) and Barry Bialik. Her family is of Jewish descent, with her grandparents having emigrated from Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. Raised in a Reform Jewish household, Bialik later identified as Modern Orthodox in 2013 and described herself as a “staunch Zionist.” She became a Bat Mitzvah and her first name, Mayim, meaning “water” in Hebrew, was inspired by a family nickname of her great-grandmother, Miriam.
Bialik graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1993 and deferred her acceptance to the University of California. Los Angeles (UCLA) to continue her acting career. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience, with minors in Hebrew and Jewish studies, in 2000. Despite not having the grades necessary for medical school. Bialik pursued a doctorate in neuroscience, taking a break in 2005 to focus on acting.
How Much Did Mayim Bialik Earn from The Big Bang Theory
Bialik joined The Big Bang Theory in 2010 as Amy Farrah Fowler, a neurobiologist and the love interest of Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons). Initially, she and co-star Melissa Rauch made approximately $45,000 per episode as recurring characters. However, when they became series regulars, their salaries increased to around $175,000 per episode.
By the show’s final seasons, Bialik and Rauch successfully negotiated for pay parity with the core cast members, who were earning $1 million per episode. To achieve this, the other stars—Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg—took a $100,000 pay cut each to allow Bialik and Rauch to earn $500,000 per episode, which over 48 episodes totaled an impressive $24 million.
How Much Did Mayim Bialik Make on Blossom
Bialik’s big break came with Blossom, where she portrayed the title character. While Blossom ran for five seasons, Bialik revealed in a podcast with Jaleel White that she didn’t earn as much money as other TV stars of the era. “I did not have the kind of financial success that would’ve set me up for the rest of my life,” she admitted. The show was also never syndicated, meaning Bialik didn’t earn significant residuals from reruns.
Mayim Bialik’s Earnings as a Neuroscientist
After graduating from high school in 1993, Bialik attended UCLA, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience in 2000. She went on to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, which she completed in 2007. While she didn’t earn much as a neuroscientist, working as a professor in the field, it’s estimated that neuroscience professors make an average salary of around $66,534 annually. During her time studying, Bialik also worked as a teacher and continued her acting career.
Mayim Bialik’s Income from Writing, Blogging, and Podcasting
Bialik has authored four books. Her 2012 book Beyond the Sling explores attachment parenting, while her 2014 vegan cookbook Mayim’s Vegan Table includes over 100 recipes. In 2017, she released Girling Up: How to Be Strong, Smart and Spectacular, aimed at teenage girls navigating puberty and other challenges. Her 2018 follow-up, Boying Up: How to Be Brave, Bold and Brilliant. Focuses on helping young boys navigate their own growth. Bialik also launched the lifestyle site Grok Nation in 2016, though it has not been updated since 2019. She co-hosts the Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast with her boyfriend, Cohen, raising awareness about mental health issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayim Bialik’s Continued Success in Acting
Bialik’s acting career began in 1987 with guest roles on shows like Beauty and the Beast and The Facts of Life. She also appeared in films like Pumpkinhead (1988) and Beaches (1988) and made various TV appearances, including on MacGyver. Murphy Brown, and Doogie Howser, M.D.. Even after Blossom ended, Bialik continued working steadily as an actress. She voiced characters in animated series such as Jonny Quest, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and Hey Arnold!, and made appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bones, 7th Heaven, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Mayim Bialik’s Friendship with Kaley Cuoco
Bialik remains friendly with her Big Bang Theory co-star Kaley Cuoco. The two were seen having coffee together in early 2020, and Bialik praised Cuoco on social media, calling her a “brilliant comedienne and powerhouse.”
Mayim Bialik’s Net Worth
Mayim Bialik’s estimated net worth is around $25 million.
Mayim Bialik’s Jeopardy! Salary
Bialik guest-hosted Jeopardy! in March following Alex Trebek’s passing and became a fan favorite. Eventually, in July, Jeopardy! announced that both Bialik and Ken Jennings would share hosting duties. However, her salary for hosting the show has not been disclosed. Alex Trebek earned an estimated $18 million annually during his time as host. Though Bialik likely earns less, given her relatively new role.