Melissa Rauch stands 4’11” tall and has built a $20 million career in Hollywood. The American actress became famous playing Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory from 2009 to 2019. Her high-pitched voice and petite stature became signature traits that helped define one of television’s most beloved characters.
Born June 23, 1980, in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, Rauch is now 45 years old as of 2025. She’s married to writer Winston Rauch (formerly Winston Beigel), and they have two children together. Beyond acting, she’s a producer, writer, and co-founder of Oscar’s Kids, a pediatric cancer charity supporting research into childhood brain tumors.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Melissa Ivy Rauch |
| Date of Birth | June 23, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years (as of 2025) |
| Height | 4’11” (1.50 m) |
| Birthplace | Marlboro Township, New Jersey |
| Education | BFA in Acting, Marymount Manhattan College (2002) |
| Spouse | Winston Rauch (m. 2007) |
| Children | 2 (Sadie and Brooks) |
| Net Worth | $20 million (estimated) |
| Famous Role | Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz |
| Production Company | After January Productions |
| Charity | Oscar’s Kids (co-founder) |
Early Life and Family Background
Melissa Ivy Rauch grew up in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, with her parents David and Susan Rauch and brother Ben. After attending Broadway shows with her family, she would recreate the performances in her basement for hours. She attended Brookdale Arts Camp starting at age 6 and later worked there as a counselor.
She describes her childhood home as a “house of screamers,” which later inspired her character work. Her mother Susan’s voice became the direct inspiration for Bernadette’s distinctive vocal characterization on The Big Bang Theory. Growing up in this environment taught her how vocal dynamics could create powerful comedic effects.
Education and Career Beginnings
Rauch earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City in 2002. During college, she performed stand-up comedy around Manhattan, including at the same open mic in Times Square where Zach Galifianakis started. She met Winston Beigel at Marymount Manhattan College, where he initially posed as her “fake manager” before becoming her creative partner.
After graduation, she waited tables at Johnny Rockets in New Jersey, then at a sports bar. She told interviewers there were “only so many chicken wings I could serve before losing the smile on my face.” Early television work included contributions to VH1’s Best Week Ever show.
In 2005, Rauch and Winston wrote The Miss Education of Jenna Bush, a one-woman satirical show about President George W. Bush’s daughter. The show won Outstanding Solo Show and TheaterMania’s Audience Favorite Award at the New York International Fringe Festival. The production also played at HBO’s US Comedy Arts Festival, giving Rauch critical acclaim and sold-out audiences.
The Big Bang Theory Era and Breakthrough
Rauch joined The Big Bang Theory in 2009 as a recurring character in season three. She played Bernadette Rostenkowski, a microbiologist who worked at The Cheesecake Factory with Penny and began dating Howard Wolowitz. Her impact was immediate, and she was promoted to series regular in season four.
Her salary started at $20,000-$30,000 per episode from 2010-2013, then jumped to $60,000 per episode in 2013-2014. By the show’s final seasons (2017-2019), she earned $450,000 per episode. This progression reflected her value to the ensemble cast and the show’s massive commercial success.
She received six nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series between 2011 and 2017. In 2013, she earned a Critics Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also received a People’s Choice Award nomination in 2014 for Favorite TV Gal Pals, shared with Kaley Cuoco and Mayim Bialik.
Her vocal characterization became Bernadette’s defining feature. She used a “sweet, high-pitched purr” that could instantly switch to an intimidating tone. As Rauch stated: “I was waiting on my doorstep for the first script to arrive, like it was Christmas morning!”
Night Court Revival
Rauch starred in and produced the Night Court revival series that premiered on NBC on January 17, 2023. She played Judge Abby Stone, daughter of the original series character Judge Harold T. Stone. The show was co-produced through After January Productions in partnership with Warner Bros. Television Studios and Universal Television.
Working alongside John Larroquette, who reprised his Emmy-winning role as Dan Fielding, proved educational. She told Gold Derby: “What I’ve really gotten a high on in playing [Abby] is the judgy powers of having the decision in the palm of my hand.” She even got ordained online to offer to marry audience members during studio breaks.
The show ran for three seasons before cancellation in 2025. It earned two Emmy nominations and demonstrated Rauch’s evolution from performer to showrunner. She emphasized respecting the original series in every production decision.
Film and Voice Acting Career
Rauch co-wrote, produced, and starred in The Bronze (2015), playing Hope Ann Greggory, a bitter former gymnast. The film opened the Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Variety praised her performance, comparing it to Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids.
The film included an elaborate gymnastics-themed intimate scene with Sebastian Stan. Winston explained to the LA Times in 2015 that they outlined what they envisioned, “not ever believing that he would be able to bring it to life.” The couple’s creative partnership extended to every aspect of production.
Her voice acting credits include playing Harley Quinn in Batman and Harley Quinn (2017). She’s also voiced characters in Sofia the First, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Marvel’s Ant-Man, and Animaniacs. Her live-action film roles include appearances in I Love You, Man (2009) and The Laundromat (2019) where she played Meryl Streep’s daughter.
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Writing and Production Career
After January Productions, the company Rauch runs with Winston, was launched as a subsidiary of Warner Bros. following The Bronze’s release. The couple’s writing process is deeply collaborative, beginning with outlines before improvising dialogue together. Rauch told Interview magazine in 2016 that sometimes they each take a stab at scenes separately, then combine the best versions.
Their partnership started in college and has sustained through over 20 years. Winston took Melissa’s last name after marriage, an unconventional choice. As Melissa explained on the podcast At Home with Linda & Drew Scott in 2020, he simply called one day from social security offices saying he’d officially changed his name to Rauch.
Their credits together include The Condom Killer (2009), The Bronze (2015), and Night Court (2023-2025). She joked on Late Night with Seth Meyers that working together means “there’s no water cooler chat” since they already know everything about each other’s day.
Personal Life
Rauch married Winston Rauch (né Beigel) on October 11, 2007, after meeting as freshmen at Marymount Manhattan College. They started as writing partners collaborating on comedic sketches before dating. Their relationship has remained strong through decades of living and working together.
The couple has two children: daughter Sadie Rauch born in December 2017 and son Brooks Rauch born in May 2020. Rauch keeps their children largely out of the public eye. According to The Jennifer Hudson Show appearance in February 2023, her children believe she’s a real judge because of her Night Court role.
Motherhood Journey and Personal Challenges
Rauch announced her first pregnancy in a Glamour essay in July 2017, where she revealed a previous miscarriage according to People Magazine. She described the experience as “one of the most profound sorrows I have ever felt in my life.” Her openness resonated with women facing similar struggles.
She gave birth to Brooks in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic without her husband present. Winston had to stay home with Sadie since no one could watch her during pandemic restrictions. Rauch wrote about the experience for Glamour, offering support to other mothers.
She described filling her hospital bag with disinfecting wipes and “practicing labor breathing in a mask like I was training for a dystopian marathon.” She acknowledged the difficulty while finding comfort in knowing her baby was her constant companion throughout the experience.
Oscar’s Kids Foundation
Rauch co-founded Oscar’s Kids in 2021 to honor a 5-year-old Big Bang Theory fan from Ireland named Oscar. The boy was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2018 and called Bernadette his “girlfriend.” When Oscar’s parents reached out on social media, Rauch responded and maintained contact throughout his illness.
After Oscar’s death, Melissa and Winston launched the United States chapter of Oscar’s Kids. The charity raises funds for research into Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), the brain tumor that took Oscar’s life. Both the Irish and American chapters work to fund research for this disease.
Rauch told PEOPLE in 2021: “By helping launch Oscar’s Kids, I wanted to do something to honor his life and find a cure for this devastating disease.” The foundation creates “magic moments” for children facing terminal cancer while funding vital research.
Financial Success
Melissa Rauch’s net worth is estimated at $20 million as of 2025 according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her wealth comes primarily from The Big Bang Theory earnings, which peaked at $450,000 per episode. This salary progression from $20,000 per episode in 2010 reflected the show’s massive commercial success.
Her income sources extend beyond acting. After January Productions generates revenue through production deals with Warner Bros. Her voice acting roles in animated films and series provide additional income streams.
The Big Bang Theory remains one of the highest-earning sitcoms in syndication history. Rauch’s film work, including The Bronze and The Laundromat, adds to her overall portfolio.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Rauch proved that success in Hollywood doesn’t require fitting traditional physical standards. Her 4’11” height and distinctive voice became assets in creating memorable characters. She transformed potential limitations into defining characteristics that audiences loved.
Her influence extended The Big Bang Theory beyond its original male-centered premise. The addition of Bernadette and Amy Farrah Fowler created a more balanced ensemble cast exploring gender perspectives in science and academia. The show reached broader audiences by representing women in STEM fields.
As a producer and showrunner on Night Court, she joined women creating opportunities in television production. Her willingness to discuss personal challenges made her relatable beyond comedy. She’s building a legacy combining entertainment success with meaningful charitable foundation work.
Conclusion
Melissa Rauch built a multifaceted career spanning comedy, acting, writing, and producing. From stand-up stages in Manhattan to earning top sitcom salaries, her journey shows persistence pays off. Her partnership with husband Winston Rauch demonstrates that creative collaborations can thrive alongside romantic relationships.
Her work extends beyond entertainment through Oscar’s Kids, honoring a young fan while funding childhood cancer research. At 45, she continues developing projects through After January Productions while maintaining her commitment to philanthropy. She’s built success on her own terms—making people laugh while making a genuine difference.
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FAQ About Melissa Rauch
How tall is Melissa Rauch?
She is 4’11” (1.50 meters) tall.
What is Melissa Rauch’s net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth her net worth is estimated at $20 million.
Who is Melissa Rauch’s husband?
She’s married to writer Winston Rauch (formerly Winston Beigel) since 2007.
How old is Melissa Rauch?
She is 45 years old, born June 23, 1980.
Does Melissa Rauch have children?
Yes, she has two children: daughter Sadie and son Brooks.
What is Melissa Rauch doing now?
She continues working through After January Productions and managing Oscar’s Kids charity.
Why did Melissa Rauch use a high-pitched voice on The Big Bang Theory?
The voice was inspired by her mother Susan Rauch’s vocal patterns.
How much did Melissa Rauch make per episode on The Big Bang Theory?
She earned up to $450,000 per episode in the final seasons.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.