Mayim Bialik has undergone quite the transformation during her time in the entertainment industry.
While many fans might know her as Sheldon Cooper's scientist wife Amy on The Big Bang
Theory, Bialik has actually been in front of the camera for most of her life.
Bialik began her career with guest roles on classic TV shows, such as The Facts of Life
and Webster. She also portrayed a young Bette Midler in the 1988 tearjerker Beaches. However,
the actress ultimately rose to stardom when she landed the title role in Blossom, the
1990s sitcom that followed the adventures of the spunky youngest daughter of three siblings
living with their divorced father.
Bialik picked up diverse acting gigs as she transitioned from child to adult actress,
but she did not focus her life around just acting. In fact, Balik is also a successful
blogger and neuroscientist who graduated with a doctorate degree from UCLA, as well as the
devoted mother of sons Frederick and Miles. Bialik seems to have effortlessly intertwined
her passions with her career and personal life. That's what makes Mayim Bialik's transformation
such a head-turning sight. Let's take a closer look.
While reflecting on how she broke into the entertainment industry, Mayim Bialik admitted
she loved acting in school plays as a kid, but she never had dreams of becoming a star.
Everything might have suddenly fallen into place for Bialik, but for a while, it did
not seem like that would ever happen. The daughter of Orthodox Jewish parents, Bialik
was very aware that she did not have the heavily sought-after, quote, "All American" look casting
directors craved in the 1980s. Thus, instead of getting cast in commercials like many other
kids her age, she had to approach things differently.
Directors cast her in Blossom in 1990, where she would grow up in front of the cameras
for five years. Mayim Bialik was able to stay clear of the dark side of Hollywood that has
unfortunately caused many child stars to have a rough transition to adulthood. Paired with
her parents' watchful eye, Bialik said she was fortunate to grow up in such a good environment
on Blossom as a teen.
“The last thing I remember I was going through a long, dark tunnel with a light at the end
of it. Where am I?”
“New Jersey. You owe me 2 bucks for the toll. Hahaha!”
Bialik also admitted she had one other thing to keep her busy as a teen and far away from
the drugs, alcohol, and parties that become readily available to teens in Tinseltown:
science. When interviewed by Nova for PBS in 2012, she was asked how she escaped the,
quote, "sad fate of most child stars." Bialik replied:
"Do you want the quick answer to that? Science!"
She added that she always had a fascination with science, but thought that she was not
cut out for it. However, her 10th grade biology tutor opened up her mind to the possibility
of working in the field, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bialik decided to pursue science after high school and took a break from acting, receiving
both her undergraduate and doctorate degrees from UCLA. She loved teaching science while
conducting research, but she realized she enjoyed staying home with her family more,
telling The Guardian in 2015:
"Being a research professor seemed like what I wanted to do. But once I had my first child
I realized how much time I wanted to be with him."
Later, Bialek decided to give acting another shot, not realizing she would land a major
role on what would become an ever-popular Emmy award-winning television show. Regardless
of her success, she says being a mom is her main job.
Bialik is still heavily involved with advocacy for the STEM academic fields. From child actress
to neuroscientist, to a combination of both, Mayim Bialik has certainly woven her passions
together in a way that gives her life great meaning. What a transformation!
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