Simon Helberg started off training in theater, as of the early 2000s, he began in sketch comedy. Now he didn't get the chance to appear on 'SNL' which is probably a dream of his, though he did make a cameo on another sketch comedy show, one that flew under the radar.
After watching the clip, he looks hardly recognizable and in truth, a lot smaller than usual...
The role would open the door to some other interesting projects. 'Old School' in 2003 instantly comes to mind.
He stayed busy throughout the early 2000s with several films and TV projects. However, in 2007, his career changed forever, getting cast in 'The Big Bang Theory'.
Suddenly, he was known as Howard Wolowitz, his time on the show lasted over a decade, with 12 seasons and 279 episodes.
We'll discuss that big break in his career along with other interesting projects. In addition, we'll take a look at his forgotten role in this classic sketch comedy role.
'Big Bang Theory' And Meryl Streep
Without a doubt, 'The Big Bang Theory' turned out to be Simon's big break back in 2007. Though in truth, he wasn't struggling either at the time, he was getting cast in several projects, of all different genres.
RELATED - This Is Simon Helberg's Life After 'The Big Bang Theory'
Although Helberg was sad to see the sitcom end, he admitted with USA Today that he felt excited about what was to come. Simon was finally able to change things up in terms of roles.
"It feels like we told a story for 12 years and the story is done. It'll be sad to say goodbye to a lot of the elements and people, but I feel proud of what we did and privileged to have been part of it for 12 years," Helberg says. "I'm excited, as an actor, to get to take off these skinny jeans and put on another pair of pants in another role."
He did exactly that in 2016 when he worked on a film that was nominated for 'Best Picture' at the 'Golden Globes'. Helberg was a big part in 'Florence Foster Jenkins', alongside legends of the game, Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant.
Simon admitted, prepping for the role was not easy, but rewarding. "A crazy amount. Probably about three months of intense practicing. I got a little apartment to be alone and play and work on the role as well. I took a handful of lessons, just to try to have a crash course in technique and figure out what it looked like, at least. And then I learned the pieces to the best of my ability."
According to his interview with AJC, getting to star alongside Streep and Grant was the major gamechanger for him.
"I didn't really believe it. It's still hard to fully believe that these people I've grown up watching and are probably some of the best in the world at this, and Stephen Frears…"
"It almost ruined me in some way because you start to get so scared, but then you're there and you're all kind of doing the same thing, which is kind of encouraging when you realize we're all trying to figure this thing out together."
Let's be real here, it wasn't the first time Helberg was nervous for a role. We can only imagine what was going through his head when he was set to appear on this iconic sketch comedy show. He was fairly green at the time, and looking back, we have a hard time recognizing the star.
'MAD TV' Appearance
The iconic sketch comedy show got started in the fall of 1995. It lasted 15 seasons alongside FOX. Of the 329 episodes, fans mostly remember some of the main acts, such as Will Sasso, Alex Borstein, Michael McDonald, and so many others.
A name fans likely completely forgot about, is Simon Helberg, who had a minor role in a skit during the early 2000s. It is said that he was also included in a handful of other sketches on the show.
Fans on YouTube had a blad with the footage. It is yet another example of how versatile the star really is, going from sketch comedy to a sitcom, to appearing alongside Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant.
Here's what the fans had to say about his appearance on the show.
"DAMN he's short! lol! but dynamite comes in small packages! love you Simon."
'Literally the only sketch I remember him in was the Seventh Heaven one as the adopted daughter."
"He was actually in five episodes."
The show was a great launching pad for his career and without a doubt, he drew confidence from the gig.
Sources: YouTube, Twitter, AJC & USA Today