Kaley Christine Cuoco, professionally known as Kaley Cuoco, is an American actress, producer, and entrepreneur.
She is best known for portraying Penny in the hit CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, a role that earned her worldwide recognition and multiple awards.
Cuoco has also starred in 8 Simple Rules, The Flight Attendant, Harley Quinn, Based on a True Story, and numerous successful films.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Kaley Christine Cuoco
- Stage Name: Kaley Cuoco
- Born: November 30, 1985
- Age: 40 years old
- Birthplace: Camarillo, California, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: White
- Occupation: Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur
- Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Religion: Christianity
- Parents: Gary Carmine Cuoco and Layne Ann Wingate
- Siblings: Briana Cuoco
- Spouse: Ryan Sweeting (m. 2013; div. 2016), Karl Cook (m. 2018; div. 2022) and Tom Pelphrey
- Children: Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey
- Relationship: Engaged
- Net Worth: $110 million USD
Early Life and Education
Kaley Christine Cuoco was born on November 30, 1985, in Camarillo, California, to Gary Carmine Cuoco, a real estate agent, and Layne Ann Wingate, a homemaker. She grew up alongside her younger sister, Briana Cuoco, who is also an actress and singer.
Cuoco began modelling and appearing in television commercials at the age of six. She was also a talented amateur tennis player, ranking regionally before deciding to pursue acting full-time.
She was homeschooled due to her busy acting schedule and completed her education outside a traditional classroom.
Career
Kaley Cuoco made her acting debut as a child in television films and guest roles before gaining recognition in 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005), where she starred alongside John Ritter and Katey Sagal.
She later joined the final season of Charmed as Billie Jenkins, further establishing herself as a rising television actress.
Her career reached new heights in 2007 when she was cast as Penny in The Big Bang Theory. The series became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history, running for 12 seasons and earning Cuoco numerous awards and nominations.
Following the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco founded Yes, Norman Productions and starred in the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant, receiving nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
She also voices Harley Quinn in the acclaimed animated DC series and has appeared in films including Hop, The Wedding Ringer, The Man from Toronto, Meet Cute, Role Play, and Killer Vacation.
Awards and Nominations
- Critics’ Choice Television Award winner
- Multiple People’s Choice Awards winner
- Satellite Award winner
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2014)
- Golden Globe Award nominee (The Flight Attendant)
- Primetime Emmy Award nominee (The Flight Attendant)
Social Media
- Instagram: @kaleycuoco
Personal life
Kaley Cuoco, 40, dated her The Big Bang Theory co-star, Johnny Galecki, before becoming engaged to Josh Resnik, though they later ended their engagement. She married professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in 2013, and the marriage ended in divorce in 2016.
She later married equestrian Karl Cook in 2018, and they divorced in 2022. Since 2022, Cuoco has been in a relationship with actor Tom Pelphrey.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey, in March 2023, became engaged in 2024, and announced in 2026 that they are expecting their second daughter.
Cuoco enjoys horseback riding, tennis, animal rescue, fitness, and spending time with her family. Kaley stands 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) tall.
Net Worth
Kaley Cuoco has an estimated net worth of $110 million USD. Her wealth comes from acting, television production, voice acting, endorsement deals, real estate investments, and her production company, Yes, Norman Productions. During the final seasons of The Big Bang Theory, she was among the highest-paid television actresses in the world.
Filmography
- Virtuosity
- Hop
- Authors Anonymous
- The Wedding Ringer
- The Man from Toronto
- Meet Cute
- Role Play
- Killer Vacation
Television
- Ladies Man
- 8 Simple Rules
- Charmed
- The Big Bang Theory
- Harley Quinn
- The Flight Attendant
- Based on a True Story