TV GENIUS
PROFESSOR Stephen Hawking may have been a science genius with a terrifying IQ - but he could also make us laugh.
The black hole studying genius popped up in films and TV - cementing his place as a pop cultural icon.
His willingness to mock himself, or play up to his stereotype, was a key part of how he brought abstract science to the masses - for which he won plaudits from others in his field.
These included recurring cameos on Star Trek, The Big Bang Theory, Little Britain, The Simpsons and Futurama.
He even appeared in Monty Python's live arena tour and waxed lyrical about science stuff with American TV host Conan O'Brien.
The Big Bang Theory
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Stephen Hawking stars in American comedy The Big Bang Theory
The sit-com made for him - a flat full of science geeks who worship his work.
Professor Hawking played himself, stunning chief science geek Sheldon, played by Jim Parsons, and his pals Leonard, Raj and Howard.
Hilarious scenes include the boys doing creepy impressions of his robot voice.
He appeared in seven episodes and sang Happy Birthday to Sheldon over Skype.
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The Simpsons
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Game for a laugh, Professor Hawking lent his voice to FOUR episodes of the legendary animated sitcom, The Simpsons.
In our favourite, the great man came to Springfield to warn them their vision of utopia would never pan out.
Stephen Hawking stars in an episode of cult American cartoon The Simpsons
Star Trek: The Next Generation
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Hawking popped up in the season six finale of Next Generation, where he played poker against Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton as holograms.
The professor is a famous Trekkie, and his book A Brief History of Time was adapted into a documentary by Leonard Nimoy, aka, Spock.
Stephen Hawking stars plays poker in Star Trek: The Next Generation
Futurama
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Stephen popped up in season two of the futuristic carton Futurama.
He joins the Vice Presidential Action Rangers, led by Al Gore, who aim to protect the space-time continuum.
He later wound up as a floating head in a jar in the Futurama movie.
Pink Floyd
Internationally acclaimed rock band Pink Floyd sampled Stephen Hawking's electronic voice in their single Keep Talking.
The song, which was also released on their 1994 album The Division Bell, used samples of the genius' voice recorded for a BT television commercial.
The track includes the phrase: "For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals.
"Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination: we learned to talk" and "It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking."
Guitarist David Gilmour explained in a : "This was the most powerful piece of television advertising that I’ve ever seen in my life.
"I don’t think he even wrote the words that they used with him, but he was in it, in his wheelchair.
"He looks kind of strange. And I just found it so moving that I felt that I had to try and do something with it, or with him or something, in some way."
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Stephen Hawking's voice used in Pink Floyd's Keep Talking track
Little Britain
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Red Nose Day 2015: Stephen Hawking v Little Britain
The theoretical physicist popped up for a Comic Relief cameo in Little Britain.
He was being pushed along by over-eager carer Lou, as he teaches him how to say "quack" like a duck.
Stephen showed off his comic timing, providing droll comebacks to everyone who came over to patronise him.
In the end, annoyed by everyone talking down to him, Hawking turns into a giant rocket-launching transformer robot.
Go Compare ad
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Stephen starred in a hilarious Go Compare ad.
The science legend used his knowledge of black holes to summon one to suck in the annoying opera singer.
He said at the time: "I am an opera fan so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to help save the nation and silence Gio."
Stephen Hawking stars in Go Compare advert
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