The Wonder Years Star You Likely Forgot Guest-Starred On The Big Bang Theory

Debuting in 2007, "The Big Bang Theory" was a science-fueled comedy sitcom filled to the lab beaker brim with celebrity cameos and special guest appearances. Everyone from Buzz Aldrin to Charlie Sheen to George Takei and even Stan Lee has shown up on the long-running CBS show, which went off the air in 2019 after 12 seasons. But it's pretty hard to keep up with all the famous faces who have graced Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and Howard (Simon Helberg) with their presence. 

Looking back, one of the biggest themes that the writers and producers ran with on "The Big Bang Theory" was nostalgia, and viewers often got hit with cameos or guest spots relating to old TV shows or movies that the characters love. During Season 3, fans were treated to an appearance by one of the biggest television stars of the late '80s and early '90s. This actor hailed from the ABC show "The Wonder Years," in which they played one of its main young stars. For their "Big Bang" cameo, they were featured in the twelfth episode of the third season, titled "The Psychic Vortex." Can you guess who it is?

Showing up as a character from "Babylon 5" named Abby, Danica McKeller's "Big Bang Theory" cameo is one that many people likely forgot about — but not Raj actor Kunal Nayyar. 

"Life came full circle when I got to kiss Winnie Cooper," Nayyar told The Independent in 2015 following McKeller's guest spot. "'The Wonder Years' was one of my favorite shows growing up," he said. "And Winnie was the woman of my dreams."

In her episode, McKeller plays a love interest for Raj and the two share a steamy makeout session together towards the end. With Nayyar being such a big Winnie Cooper and "Wonder Years" fan, he was understandably nervous about shooting the scene together. "The night before the shoot, I was tossing and turning and thinking, 'Oh my god, is this reality, is it going to happen?'" Nayyar recalled to The Independent. "I remember wondering how I could pull off an 'I don't care' cool look. It felt like being in high school again. Of course, it was all in my head; all she was thinking was, "I'm going to be on this great show."