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The Big Bang Theory could have looked significantly different had it not been for the instant chemistry between Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons, portraying Sheldon and Leonard.
Throughout the article, we'll take a look at what the audition process was like, along with what Johnny Galecki was doing prior to getting the career-changing phone call.
In addition, although Johnny was very comfortable on-set, like laughing for real during takes, it wasn't always that easy and fun.
In truth, during the early portion of the show, the production team requested he took off his glasses. We'll take a look at why they might've been right and what the actor did instead.
Johnny Galecki Was Working Theater In New York When He Got Called To Audition
It was a different time for Johnny Galecki prior to getting the phone call from Chuck Lorre and The Big Bang Theory. Sure, he had experience in the sitcom world, with credits on Roseanne. However, at the time, he was in New York taking his career in a different direction, on the theater stage.
"I was working at a theater in New York and Chuck Lorre called and said, "Me and Bill Prady are talking about something; we don't have anything written yet but we will in a couple weeks. Can we fax you a couple of pages?" That was it," he told the Hollywood Reporter.
Finding chemistry alongside Jim Parsons turned out to be a major turning point for Galecki during the audition process. The actor revealed had the two not hit it off instantly, he likely would have been replaced by someone else.
"We later did a chemistry read between Jim and I once they found him. That was in front of the studio and network and if they hated me at that point, they could have cut me. Nothing was signed contractually at that point. Jim and I immediately hit it off."
As they say, the rest is history. However, things could have still looked very different.
Johnny Galecki Almost Auditioned For Sheldon Instead Of Leonard
We really can't imagine anyone but Jim Parsons in the role of Sheldon. Though in truth, Chuck Lorre thought the actor's audition was too perfect at the start. Not only that, but Johnny Galecki also had the option of trying out for the role of Sheldon. Thankfully, Galecki got selfish with his reasoning to read for Leonard instead.
"It was a very selfish request on my part. I hadn’t been able to traverse those stories of the heart. I’ve often been cast as the best friend or the gay assistant of whatever character got to explore those relationships. I said I’d rather play this guy, who seems to have a future of romantic triumphs and difficulties," he tells Cinema Blend.
Galecki would further admit that he didn't really understand the role of Sheldon, up until he saw it come to life thanks to Parsons' brilliance.
"We were outside in the hall beforehand and I asked if he wanted to read the scene through a few times first. He said no, and I said me neither. We just chatted. It was really amazing to see Sheldon come to life like that. It wasn't a character that I understood on the page initially and seeing Jim do his first line as Sheldon, I got it and now I get these two together."
The Lenses In Leonard's Glasses Caused A Glare... So Galecki Took Off The Lenses
During the rehearsals for the first episode, Galecki was reading his lines while wearing glasses. This was a major problem for TBBT production team, as when Leonard would talk to Sheldon during scenes, the glasses created a glare which did not look appealing on-screen.
The show requested Galecki remove the glasses completely, but he felt differently about it. Instead, the actor decided to remove the lenses.
“We rehearsed the first episode for about a week and a half, and when we started to shoot, they said, ‘Well, you’re gonna take your glasses off, right?’ I said, ‘No, I want Leonard to wear glasses.’ They said, ‘Oh, we just thought you were wearing them as Johnny for rehearsal all week,’” said Galecki with Huff Post.
“I quickly popped out the lenses and that’s the movie magic behind that,” said the actor.
Major props to Galecki for sticking with his vision, despite the show's request.