Howard Joel Wolowitz, M.Eng is a fictional character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory, portrayed by actor Simon Helberg. Among the main male characters in the show, Howard is distinguished for lacking a doctoral degree, for still living with his mother, and for believing himself to be a "ladies' man".Howard is named after a computer programmer known by the show's co-creator Bill Prady. He is the only starring character who has been to the International Space Station.