From Bradley to ‘Big Bang’

02/06/2014 7:38 PM

A 2003 Bradley University grad has grabbed a role on one of television’s most popular programs.

Eric Petersen has worked on multiple projects since leaving Peoria, including main roles on Broadway shows likeShrek. On Thursday night, though, he’ll be in the spotlight on the CBS program The Big Bang Theory.

The episode is called The Locomotive Manipulation, in which the character Sheldon Cooper gets dragged to a Valentine’s Day train ride by his girlfriend. Though Sheldon is an avid train enthusiast, he’s less than thrilled about being out in public.

Then he meets Petersen’s character, coincidentally named Eric.

“We really hit it off. And even though he’s should be spending his Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend, he ends up spending most of the trip with me, talking about trains, making train noises, and visiting the conductor,” Petersen said.

The actor, originally from suburban Chicago, says working with the cast was an experience unlike any other.

“When you walk on the set, you can just feel that it’s a hit show. There’s just an energy on the stage, and a palpable buzz in the air,” Petersen said.

That being said, he’s no stranger to working with an award-winning group. Petersen says his recurring role on the TV Land show Kirstie prepared him well for his Big Bang Theory appearance.

“I just shot an entire season with a bunch of legends in Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, and Michael Richards who have multiple Emmys between them,” Petersen said.

You can check out Petersen’s Big Bang Theory appearance Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on CBS.  Story posted on WMBD website.