Noted physicist and author Stephen Hawking passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76. The extraordinary scientist leaves behind a legacy with his enormous body of work. Apart from shaping and challenging concepts in theoretical physics and modern cosmology, the author of A Brief History of Time, left an indelible mark in the world of TV, films and music as well.
From roasting John Oliver on his own show to inspiring English rock band Pink Floyd’s lyrics in Keep Talking, Hawking has made several pop culture appearances.
The Big Bang Theory
Hawking appeared in in the 21st episode of fifth season of The Big Bang Theory, ‘The Hawking Excitation’.
Hawking finally came face-to-face with the breakout character of the show, Sheldon Cooper (played by Jim Parsons). Parsons who plays a theoretical physicist himself considers the scientist as his “hero”.
Hawking’s appearance has been described as one of the most “influential” moves pulled by the makers of the show. This Quora thread explains how they brought Hawking on the show.
Hawking has even been referenced by Howard Wolowitz (played by Simon Helberg)
in the series once before.
In the fourth season, Howard Wolowitz leaves Sheldon a fake voicemail, pretending to be the British physicist. "I wish to discuss your theory on black holes," said the message. "Meet me at Randy's Donuts."
Take a look the Hawking-Sheldon meet here:
The Simpsons
Stephen Hawking has lent his voice to four episodes of American sitcom, The Simpsons. Here’s one episode where he tells the residents of Springfield that their “Utopia, which is more like a fruitopia will never succeed”.
A still from Simpsons.
(Photo courtesy: Twitter)
Pink Floyd
Apart from his stellar work in the field of science, Stephen Hawking is known for his dry wit and sharp sense of humour. In a 1994 advertisement for BT, Hawking proclaimed: “Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this.”
This inspired English rock band, Pink Floyd to write a song, Keep Talking.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Hawking also made an appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation on the sixth season episode Descent in 1993, where he is seen playing poker with Lieutenant Commander Data, Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.
Stephen Hawking on Last Week Tonight
Stephen Hawking also appeared on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. Hawking’s honesty and sarcasm overshadowed Oliver’s sense of humour. Take a look:
Stephen Hawking’s New Voice
Professor Stephen Hawking was always up for some quirky fun. Check him out auditioning Liam Neeson, Bill Gates and Eddie Redmayne to be his new voice for Comic Relief. Don’t miss Neeson promising Hawking that his voice has a “tinge of physics”!
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