A look back at Mayim Bialik’s career — from child star to lifestyle guru

Bialik was born in San Diego and raised as a Reform Jew. Her first name is the Hebrew word for water, she said in a 2015 interview.

After landing parts on The Facts of Life and Beauty and the Beast, her first big movie role was in 1988’s Pumpkinhead.

After Pumpkinhead, she gave an Academy Award-worthy performance as little CC in Beaches.

Of course, her flowered hat wearing, funky dancing character on Blossom is what really put her on the map.

After Blossom‘s run ended in 1995, Bialik appeared in shows like The John Larroquette Show and 7th Heaven.

She also carved out a successful voice career, giving life to a ton of animated characters, like Hey Arnold‘s Maria.

Aside from acting, Bialik enjoys academics and earned her PhD in neuroscience from UCLA in 2007.

And, of course, we all now know and love Bialik as The Big Bang Theory‘s Amy Farrah Fowler.

Amy has sure blossomed since we first met her on that blind coffee date with Sheldon, hasn’t she?

Bialik has given numerous public speeches about a variety of topics including science, religion and parenting.

Her talks morphed into a widely read blog that tackles subjects like attachment parenting, religion and Hollywood.

Bialik has also published several books, including 2012’s Beyond the Sling and 2014’s Mayim’s Vegan Table.