John Ross Bowie Talks 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe' - Interview
John Ross Bowie talks about returning as Barry Kripke, comedy and the wild new world of 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.'
“The Big Bang Theory,” universe has expanded beyond the walls of Cal Tech in Pasadena, CA, with “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” the new HBO Max spinoff that has made a tremendous impression since its debut. The summer series brings back familiar faces while opening the door to entirely new worlds, blending comedy, fantasy, science fiction, romance and action as each episode takes viewers somewhere different.
John Ross Bowie is one of the series leads, reprising his role as quantum physicist Barry Kripke from “The Big Bang Theory.” This time around, Kripke is more fully developed and Bowie gets even more room to explore the character that audiences love to hate. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe also marks the first Chuck Lorre comedy to incorporate special effects on this scale, creating a very different playground for its characters.
Bowie has been a familiar face in television and comedy for years. He began his career performing improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York and has since appeared in countless television series and films. He is also a published author. His 2022 memoir, “No Job for a Man,” published by Simon & Schuster, explores his childhood in Hell’s Kitchen and his experiences growing up while grappling with a father who did not approve of his artistic ambitions.
In addition to “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” Bowie can be seen opposite Jeff Daniels and J.K. Simmons in “The Brink of War,” a historical drama from Angel Studios opening nationwide August 14, 2026. The film centers on the 1986 meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev as they discussed nuclear disarmament. Bowie portrays Ken Adelman, the director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency…one spoiler, the running joke of the film is President Reagan continuously forgets Adelman was also a Republican.
In our conversation, Bowie and I talk about why everyone loves to hate Barry Kripke, what it is like returning to a character he first played on “The Big Bang Theory,” and the ambitious world of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.” We also talk about his time on “Speechless,” his work in comedy and my hope that Hulu gives Speechless another two seasons.
“Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” streams Thursdays on HBO Max.
Follow John Ross Bowie on Instagram @johnrossbowie.