Simon Helberg may not have planned to be one of television’s most beloved nerds, but that’s exactly what happened. With his iconic role as Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory, Simon didn’t just win over fans—he also built a fortune that sits around $55 million today. But his story didn’t start with fame and big paychecks. It started with a boy who had dreams very different from acting.
From Karate Kid to Actor
Simon Helberg was born on December 9, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. He’s 44 years old as of 2025. Acting runs in his blood. His dad, Sandy Helberg, is also an actor. His mom, Harriet Helberg, worked as a casting director. His family background has deep roots—his grandparents were Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust and came to the U.S. after World War II.
As a child, Simon was more focused on martial arts than movies. He even earned a black belt in karate at just 10 years old. But things changed in high school when theater caught his attention. That passion led him to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. There, he also joined The Atlantic Theater School. Funny enough, his roommate was Jason Ritter, another well-known actor. They even went to high school together.
Starting Out with Comedy
Simon’s early career wasn’t all glitz and glam. He started small, doing sketch comedy with his buddy Derek Waters. Together, they formed the duo Derek & Simon. In 2007, they created a web series called Derek & Simon: The Show, with support from comedian Bob Odenkirk. They also made short films like The Pity Card (with Zach Galifianakis and Bill Hader) and A Bee and a Cigarette.
Before hitting it big, Simon appeared in minor roles on several TV shows like Popular, Cursed, Son of the Beach, and Undeclared. He had small parts in movies too—Van Wilder, Old School, and A Cinderella Story in 2004 alongside Hilary Duff. That same year, he showed up in Reno 911! and a brief scene in Arrested Development.
In 2005, he played a small role in George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck. He even did some funny impersonations on the series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in 2006-2007. Around this time, he also starred in UK commercials for Virgin Money.
The Big Break: The Big Bang Theory
Then came 2007—and everything changed.
Simon landed the role of aerospace engineer Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory. This sitcom became a giant hit and ran for 12 years until 2019. Across 279 episodes, Simon brought his quirky, loud-shirt-wearing character to life in a way that fans absolutely loved.
As the show grew in popularity, so did Simon’s paycheck. By 2014, he was earning $800,000 per episode. That number climbed to $1 million per episode in the final seasons. At his peak, he was making about $22 to $24 million per year. Between 2015 and 2016 alone, he brought in $23 million.
Simon also earned a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. It’s safe to say, The Big Bang Theory made him a household name and one of the richest TV actors of his time.
Not Just a Sitcom Star
Even while working on Big Bang, Simon took on other projects. He appeared in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, and he voiced Napoleon in The Tom and Jerry Show in 2014. He also joined Drunk History for an episode in 2013.
In 2009, Simon played a young rabbi in the Coen Brothers film A Serious Man. Then in 2016, he got a chance to work with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant in Florence Foster Jenkins. He played pianist Cosme McMoon, a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2014, Simon co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred in We’ll Never Have Paris, a comedy film he worked on with his wife. Speaking of his wife…
Family and Personal Life
Simon has been married to actress and director Jocelyn Towne since July 2007. The couple has two children and prefers to keep their family life mostly out of the spotlight. Together, they’ve even collaborated on film projects, showing just how strong their bond is both on and off screen.
Outside of acting, Simon is also a gifted pianist. He showed off his talent in Florence Foster Jenkins, and he’s known to be passionate about music in real life too.
He’s politically active as well. Simon is a committed Liberal Democrat and publicly supported Bernie Sanders during the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections. He’s also been involved with charities like Save the Children.
A Strong Real Estate Game
With the kind of money Simon has earned, it’s no surprise he’s invested in real estate.
In 2011, Simon and Jocelyn bought a home from Charlie Sheen for $2.9 million. In 2019, they purchased a beautiful property in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, for $6.9 million. That home had some interesting past owners too—Vince Vaughn and Kate Bosworth.
In 2022, the couple listed that home for $9.875 million but later dropped the price to around $9 million. As of now, it’s not confirmed if it’s been sold.
Back in 2017, they also picked up a 6.5-acre horse property in Carpinteria, California, for $5.1 million. And in 2022, they added an 8,000-square-foot mansion in Pasadena to their real estate portfolio. That house cost $8.4 million and comes with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. The mansion itself dates back to 1906 and sits on 1.27 acres of land.
Where Things Stand Now
Today, Simon Helberg continues to explore new projects. He’s worked with Adam Driver in the film Annette and is also set to appear in As Sick as They Made Us, written and directed by his Big Bang co-star Mayim Bialik.
At 44 years old, with a $55 million net worth, a strong family life, and an impressive acting resume, Simon has already achieved more than most could dream of. And knowing his talent and drive, it’s likely we’ll see much more of him in the years to come.
