'Big Bang Theory' Season 9 Cast News: Judd Hirsch Joins Cast As Leonard's Dad
"The Big Bang Theory" is finally introducing one of its M.I.A. family members.
At the CBS sitcom's panel at PaleyFest L.A. on Wednesday, March 16, it was announced that "Taxi" alum Judd Hirsch is poised to join the "Big Bang Theory" cast as the long-lost father of one of its main characters, Leonard (Johnny Galecki).
According to the show's producers, Hirsch will make his debut as Leonard's dad in the May 12 finale of the current season. Details about the role are still scarce as producers report that they are still working on the script for the character. As showrunner Steve Molaro told The Hollywood Reporter, the episode featuring Leonard's dad could also involve a cliffhanger.
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In its ninth season, the nerdy comedy has continued to expand the "Big Bang Theory" family tree. Leonard's mother, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, has already appeared multiple times in the series. Christine Baranski of "The Good Wife" has earned an Emmy for her guest role as Hofstadter.
Galecki recently spoke to Entertainment Tonight about asking Hirsch to guest star in the long-running CBS comedy series, saying, "I met this fellow a month or two ago and he's a hero of mine and I knew that he was a hero of Chuck [Lorre] and Bill [Prady's], so I just accosted him and cornered him and practically made him commit on the spot to play my father."
"… A lightning bolt struck … or another merlot … and I said, 'Would you have any interest in playing my dad on the show?'" he told THR.
"I'm really excited about it. It's going to be a lot of fun," the actor told ET. Galecki, a big fan of Hirsch's, said that the veteran actor's "Taxi" character Alex Rieger was his inspiration during the filming of the "Big Bang" pilot.
Not much is known about Leonard's father apart from that he is an anthropologist and that he cheated on his wife with a Princeton cafeteria waitress.
"The Big Bang Theory" airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.
