Kaley Cuoco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kaley Cuoco
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Cuoco in 2017
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Kaley Christine Cuoco
November 30, 1985 Camarillo, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
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| Partner(s) | Tom Pelphrey (2022–present; engaged) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Briana Cuoco (sister) |
Kaley Christine Cuoco (born November 30, 1985) is an American actress famous for her roles in popular TV shows. Many people know her as Penny from the hit comedy The Big Bang Theory. She also starred as Bridget Hennessy in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules and as the main character in the thriller series The Flight Attendant.
Cuoco has also been the voice of the famous comic book character Harley Quinn in the animated series Harley Quinn since 2019. Her work in movies includes Hop (2011), The Wedding Ringer (2015), and The Man from Toronto (2022). In 2014, she received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to entertainment.
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Early Life and Tennis
Kaley Christine Cuoco was born in Camarillo, California. She is the older daughter of Layne Ann, a homemaker, and Gary Carmine Cuoco, a real estate agent. Her younger sister, Briana, is also an actress and singer.
Before she became an actress, Kaley was a talented amateur tennis player. She started playing when she was only three years old and became very good at the sport. However, at age 16, she decided to stop playing tennis to focus on her acting career.
Acting Career
First Roles
Cuoco started her acting career with small parts in movies and TV shows. Her first movie role was in the 1995 action film Virtuosity. She later appeared in the Disney Channel movie Alley Cats Strike.
In 2002, she got her big break when she was cast as Bridget Hennessy in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. She played the oldest sister in the Hennessy family. The show was very popular and made her a well-known young actress.
During this time, she also voiced Brandy Harrington, a dog character in the Disney Channel cartoon Brandy and Mr. Whiskers. From 2005 to 2006, she joined the cast of the fantasy TV series Charmed, where she played a young witch named Billie Jenkins.
The Big Bang Theory
In 2007, Cuoco began her most famous role as Penny on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Penny is an aspiring actress who lives across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists, Leonard and Sheldon. The show became a massive worldwide hit and ran for 12 seasons, ending in 2019.
For her work on the show, Cuoco became one of the highest-paid actresses on television. By 2014, she and her main co-stars were earning about $1 million for each episode.
In 2012, Cuoco and the cast of The Big Bang Theory created a surprise flash mob for the studio audience. They danced to the song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. A video of the performance was posted online and was watched by millions of people.
Recent Work
After The Big Bang Theory ended, Cuoco started her own production company called Yes, Norman Productions. The company's first big project was the TV series The Flight Attendant, which began in 2020. Cuoco starred as the main character, Cassie Bowden, a flight attendant who wakes up in a hotel room next to a dead body with no memory of what happened. She also worked as an executive producer on the show. The series was a success and earned her award nominations.
Since 2019, Cuoco has been the voice of Harley Quinn in the adult animated series of the same name. She is also an executive producer for this show. In 2023, she starred in the comedy thriller series Based on a True Story.
Personal Life
While working on The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco dated her co-star Johnny Galecki, who played Leonard. They were in a relationship for about two years and have remained good friends.
In 2010, Cuoco had a horse-riding accident and broke her leg. She had to miss filming two episodes of The Big Bang Theory while she recovered.
Cuoco was married to tennis player Ryan Sweeting from 2013 to 2016. She later married equestrian Karl Cook in 2018, and they separated in 2021.
In May 2022, Cuoco began a relationship with actor Tom Pelphrey. They announced they were expecting a child together later that year. Their daughter, Matilda, was born on March 30, 2023. The couple announced their engagement in August 2024.
In 2023, Cuoco started a business called "Oh Norman!" that sells products for pets.
Selected Filmography
Film
- Virtuosity (1995)
- Hop (2011)
- The Wedding Ringer (2015)
- Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015) - Voice role
- The Man from Toronto (2022)
- Meet Cute (2022)
- Role Play (2024)
Television
- 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005)
- Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (2004–2006) - Voice role
- Charmed (2005–2006)
- The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
- Harley Quinn (2019–present) - Voice role
- The Flight Attendant (2020–2022)
- Based on a True Story (2023–2024)
Awards and Recognition
Kaley Cuoco has won several awards for her acting. Here are some of her major wins:
- Teen Choice Awards: Choice TV Breakout Star: Female (2003) for 8 Simple Rules.
- Satellite Awards: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical Series (2012) for The Big Bang Theory.
- Critics' Choice Television Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2013) for The Big Bang Theory.
- People's Choice Awards: Favorite Comedic TV Actress (2014, 2015) for The Big Bang Theory.
- Critics' Choice Super Awards: Best Voice Actress in an Animated Series (2021) for Harley Quinn.
