Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Christine Cuoco (/ˈkwk/ KWOH-koh; Italian: [ˈkwɔːko]; born November 30, 1985)[1] is an American actress and producer. After a series of supporting film and television roles in the late 1990s, she landed her breakthrough role as Bridget Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005). Thereafter, Cuoco voiced Brandy Harrington on Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (2004–2006) and appeared as Billie Jenkins on the final season of the television series Charmed (2005–2006). She later starred as Penny on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), and received a Satellite Award, a Critics' Choice Award, and two People's Choice Awards for the role. Since 2020, Cuoco has starred in and served as executive producer for the HBO Max comedic thriller The Flight Attendant, which received widespread critical acclaim.[2] For this performance, she has received nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Critics' Choice Awards.

Kaley Cuoco
Cuoco in July 2017
Born
Kaley Christine Cuoco

(1985-11-30) November 30, 1985
Other namesKaley Cuoco-Sweeting
Occupation
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active1992–present
Spouse(s)
  • (m. 2013; div. 2016)
  • Karl Cook
    (m. 2018)

Cuoco made her film debut in the thriller television film Quicksand: No Escape (1992). Her film work includes Virtuosity (1995), Toothless (1999), Can't Be Heaven (1999), Alley Cats Strike (2000), Growing Up Brady (2000), Crimes of Fashion (2004), The Hollow (2004), Lucky 13 (2005), To Be Fat like Me (2007), Cougar Club (2007), Killer Movie (2008), The Penthouse (2010), Hop (2011), Authors Anonymous (2014), and The Wedding Ringer (2015). She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014[3] and in October 2017 founded Yes, Norman Productions.

Early life

Cuoco was born in Camarillo, California, the elder daughter of Layne Ann (née Wingate), a homemaker, and Gary Carmine Cuoco, a realtor.[4] Her father is of Italian descent while her mother is of English and German ancestry.[5] Her sister, Briana, is an actress and singer who competed on the fifth season of The Voice and has a recurring role on the HBO Max series, The Flight Attendant.[6] As a child, Cuoco was a regionally ranked amateur tennis player,[7] a sport she took up when she was 3 years old. She stopped playing at the age of 16.[8]

Career

1995–2006: Early work and 8 Simple Rules

Cuoco made her first feature film appearance as the young Karin Carter in the 1995 action thriller Virtuosity.[9] From 2000 to 2001, she appeared on the CBS sitcom Ladies Man and in 2000 she portrayed former The Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick in the TV film Growing Up Brady as well as starring in the Disney Channel original film Alley Cats Strike. In September 2002, she began a starring role as Bridget Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (afterwards 8 Simple Rules). Bridget was the oldest child, despite Cuoco being six years younger than Amy Davidson, who played her younger sister.

In addition to the final season of 8 Simple Rules, Cuoco had starring roles on the NBC miniseries 10.5, the ABC Family original film Crimes of Fashion, the independent film Debating Robert Lee,[10] and in the film The Hollow at the same time. She also voiced the character of Brandy Harrington, a 14-year-old anthropomorphic mixed-breed dog, on the Disney Channel animated series Brandy and Mr. Whiskers. She voiced the character of Kirstee Smith in Bratz from 2004 to 2005. In the eighth season of the TV series Charmed, she appeared as Billie Jenkins, a powerful young witch with the powers of telekinesis and projection. Executive producer Brad Kern stated that Cuoco's character was initially brought in as a possible spin-off.

2007–2016: The Big Bang Theory and other roles

Cuoco at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009

In September 2007, Cuoco began starring in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, playing Penny, a Cheesecake Factory employee and aspiring actress who lives across the hall from physicists Dr. Leonard Hofstadter and Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Prior to the 2010–2011 season, she earned US$60,000 an episode for the series, the same as her co-stars. In 2010, the cast negotiated a raise for each actor to make US$200,000 per episode.[11] As of August 2014, Cuoco and her co-stars from The Big Bang Theory Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons each earned an estimated US$1 million per episode.[12]

In late October 2012, Cuoco enlisted the help of her sister Briana to organize a flash mob on the set of the show, in which she and the cast and crew surprised the studio audience by suddenly lip syncing and dancing to Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Call Me Maybe". A video of the event was posted on YouTube and became a viral success.[13][14] A clip from the performance was also played during Cuoco's January 8, 2013 appearance on the late-night talk show Conan.[15]

Cuoco at PaleyFest in March 2013

Cuoco starred in the Lifetime film To Be Fat like Me, which premiered on January 8, 2007.[16] She played a minor role in the Prison Break episodes "The Message" and "Chicago", as well as starring in the comedy horror spoof Killer Movie in 2008. She also appeared in the 2010 film The Penthouse. In 2011, she appeared in Allure magazine's annual "Naked Truth" feature.[17] That same year, she appeared in the films Hop and The Last Ride.[18] She was also chosen to host the Teen Choice Awards in 2011,[19] as well as the People's Choice Awards in 2012 and 2013.[20][21] She is a regular on Priceline.com commercials as the daughter of William Shatner's character.[22]

2017–present: Harley Quinn and The Flight Attendant

In October 2017, Cuoco founded Yes, Norman Productions, a television production company which entered an exclusive multi-year first-look production deal with Warner Bros. Television. Also in October 2017, the company optioned the rights to The Flight Attendant, a book written by author Chris Bohjalian, which was developed into a series of the same name with Cuoco starring as Cassandra "Cassie" Bowden, and also serving as executive producer.[23] In July 2019, The Flight Attendant had been picked up by WarnerMedia's streaming platform, HBO Max.[24][25] The series premiered on November 26, 2020 to widespread critical acclaim, and was renewed for a second season on December 18, 2020.[26][2][27]

In October 2018, it was announced that Cuoco would voice the title character of the DC Universe adult animation series Harley Quinn, and also serve as executive producer.[28] The series premiered on November 29, 2019 to critical acclaim.[29] In September 2020, it was announced that the series was renewed for a third season and would move to HBO Max.[30]

In August 2019, it was announced that Cuoco would executive produce the upcoming CBS comedy, Pretty, which is written and also executive produced by Lindsey Kraft and Santina Muha.[31] In April 2020, Cuoco joined the cast of the upcoming action comedy film The Man from Toronto as the female lead alongside Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson.[32]

Personal life

In 2007, while working on The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco privately dated co-star Johnny Galecki for roughly two years, until December 2009. She later told CBS Watch in September 2010 that they have remained on good terms since ending their relationship.[33]

On September 13, 2010, Cuoco broke her leg in a horse-riding accident and missed the filming of two episodes of The Big Bang Theory.[34]

In October 2011, she became engaged to addiction specialist Josh Resnik, but ended their engagement by March 2012.[35] She became engaged to professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in September 2013, after three months of dating. They married on December 31, 2013, in Santa Susana, California.[36] On September 25, 2015, it was announced that she and Sweeting had decided to divorce.[37] The divorce was finalized on May 9, 2016.[38]

In December 2014, Cuoco received significant media attention surrounding a remark she made in an interview with Redbook magazine while married to Ryan Sweeting. When asked if she considered herself a feminist, she responded: "Is it bad if I say no? I was never that feminist girl demanding equality, but maybe that's because I've never really faced inequality... I cook for Ryan five nights a week: it makes me feel like a housewife. I love that. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I like the idea of women taking care of their men".[39][40]

In an interview in March 2016, Cuoco said she felt her words were misconstrued, telling Cosmopolitan magazine, "Of course I'm a fucking feminist. Look at me. I bleed feminism: I get equal pay to my male co stars on a big show, I have my own home, I'm as independent as you could possibly be. Maybe I didn't understand the question, but for me that's feminism. I'm killing the game, man".[41][42]

Cuoco began dating equestrian Karl Cook, son of billionaire Scott Cook, in late 2016.[43][44] They became engaged on November 30, 2017, Cuoco's 32nd birthday,[45] and were married on June 30, 2018.[46]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Quicksand: No Escape Connie Reinhardt
1995 Virtuosity Karin Carter
1997 Picture Perfect Little Girl
1997 Toothless Lori
1998 Mr. Murder Charlotte Stillwater
1999 Can't Be Heaven Teresa Powers
2000 Alley Cats Strike Elisa Bowers
2000 Growing Up Brady Maureen McCormick
2004 Debating Robert Lee Maralee Rodgers
2004 Crimes of Fashion Brooke Sarto
2004 The Hollow Karen
2005 Lucky 13 Sarah Baker
2006 Wasted Katie Cooning
2006 Bratz Passion 4 Fashion Diamondz Kirstee Smith (voice)
2006 Bratz: Genie Magic
2007 To Be Fat like Me Alyson Schmidt
2007 Cougar Club Amanda
2008 Killer Movie Blanca Champion
2010 The Penthouse Erica Roc
2011 Hop Sam O'Hare
2011 The Last Ride Wanda
2014 Authors Anonymous Hannah Rinaldi Also executive producer
2014 A Million Ways to Die in the West Woman in the Store Unrated version
2015 The Wedding Ringer Gretchen Palmer
2015 Burning Bodhi Katy
2015 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip Eleanor (voice)
2016 Why Him? Justine (voice)
2017 Handsome Herself
2021 The Man from Toronto Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994 My So-Called Life Young Angela Chase Episode: "Father Figures"
1994 Northern Exposure Miranda Episode: "Hello, I Love You"
1996 Ellen Little Ellen Morgan Episode: "The Bubble Gum Incident"
1998 The Tony Danza Show Pammie Green Episode: ″Mini-Pause″
2000 Don't Forget Your Toothbrush Ashley Episode: "12 March 2000"
2000–2001 Ladies Man Bonnie Stiles Main role
2001 7th Heaven Lynn Episode: "Relationships"
2002 First Monday Alyssa Episode: "Pilot"
2002 The Ellen Show Vanessa Episode: "Shallow Gal"
2002 The Nightmare Room Kristin Ferris Episode: "My Name is Evil"
2002–2005 8 Simple Rules Bridget Hennessy Main role
2004 The Help Carly Michaels Episode: "Pilot"
2004 Complete Savages Erin Episode: "For Whom the Cell Tolls"
2004 Punk'd Herself Episode: "9 May 2004"
2004 10.5 Amanda Williams 2 episodes
2004–2006 Brandy & Mr. Whiskers Brandy Harrington (voice) Main role
2005–2006 Bratz Kirstee Smith (voice) Main role
2005–2007 Loonatics Unleashed Paula Hayes / Weather Vane (voice) 3 episodes
2005–2006 Charmed Billie Jenkins Main role
2007 Prison Break Sasha Murray 2 episodes
2007–2019 The Big Bang Theory Penny Main role
2012 Drew Peterson: Untouchable Stacy Peterson Television film
2016 Comedy Bang! Bang! Herself Episode: "Kaley Cuoco Wears a Black Blazer and Slip on Sneakers"
2016 Lip Sync Battle Herself Episode: "Josh Gad vs. Kaley Cuoco"[47]
2018 Best.Worst.Weekend.Ever. Herself Episode: "Issue 8"
2019–present Harley Quinn Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn (voice) Main role; also executive producer
2019 Young Sheldon Pool Water (voice)[48] Episode: "Teenager Soup and a Little Ball of Fib"
2020 The Flight Attendant Cassie Bowden Main role; also executive producer

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Bratz: Rock Angelz Kirstee (voice)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
1993 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actress in a Cable Movie Quicksand: No Escape Nominated
2000 YoungStar Awards Best Young Actress in a Mini-Series/Made for TV Film Growing Up Brady Nominated
2003 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress 8 Simple Rules Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy 8 Simple Rules Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Star: Female 8 Simple Rules Won
2004 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy 8 Simple Rules Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Young Adult Performer in a Teenage Role 8 Simple Rules Nominated
2010 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2011 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2012 People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Comedy Actress The Big Bang Theory Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy The Big Bang Theory Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy[49] The Big Bang Theory Won
2013 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy The Big Bang Theory Nominated
People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Comedy Actress The Big Bang Theory Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (tied with Eden Sher) The Big Bang Theory Won
2014 People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Comedy Actress The Big Bang Theory Won
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Funny Star The Big Bang Theory Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2015 People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic TV Actress The Big Bang Theory Won
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite TV Actress The Big Bang Theory Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress: Comedy The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2016 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress The Wedding Ringer Won
2019 Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedy TV Actress The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2021 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Voice Actress in an Animated Series Harley Quinn Won
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series The Flight Attendant Pending
Golden Globe Awards Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (as executive producer) Pending
Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Pending
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Pending
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Pending

References

  1. "8 Interesting Facts About Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting: Actor Spotlight". CBS. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  2. D'Alessandro, Anthony. "'The Flight Attendant' EP Steve Yockey To Develop Ted Chiang Short Story For Heyday TV". Deadline. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  3. Lombardi, Ken (October 30, 2014). "Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting gets emotional over Hollywood Walk of Fame star". CBS News. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  4. "Kaley Cuoco". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  5. "5 Things You Don't Know About Kaley Cuoco". ET Online. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  6. Petski, Denise (December 5, 2019). "'The Flight Attendant': Briana Cuoco To Recur In HBO Max Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  7. "Southern California Tennis Association 1998 Year-End Junior Rankings – Girls'_14_Singles". californiatennis.com. Retrieved October 7, 2012. No. 54 in Girls' 14 Singles.
  8. Acuna, Kirsten (March 2, 2012). "25 Things You Don't Know About Newly Single Kaley Cuoco—CBS' 'Big Bang Theory' Sweetheart". Business Insider. Retrieved October 7, 2012. Cuoco has been an ace in Hollywood and on the tennis court, playing the sport since she was three years old. She finally made the full switch to acting in 2002
  9. Entertainment Tonight. CBS. November 30, 2012.
  10. "Debating Robert Lee (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  11. "Kaley Cuoco". kaleycuoco.org. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  12. "Big Bang Theory stars sign new contracts". BBC News. August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  13. Ratledge, Ingela (December 3, 2012) "Big Bang's Flash Mob Mentality". TV Guide. p. 6
  14. "The Big Bang Theory Flash mob! [Full version compilation]". NommiXproductions. YouTube. November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  15. "The Guy Who Drove a Hummer and Wasn't a Total A-Hole". Conan. Season 3. Episode 25. January 8, 2013. TBS.
  16. "Movies — To Be Fat Like Me". lifetimetv.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2007.
  17. Brown, Robyn (May 2011). "The Naked Truth: 4 Celebrities Go Nude for Allure". Allure. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  18. "Kaley Cuoco Signs For "I Hop," "Last Ride" – March 31, 2010". Dark Horizons. April 23, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  19. "Kaley Cuoco to Host 2011 Teen Choice Awards". J-14. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  20. "Kaley Cuoco to Host 2012 People's Choice Awards". People's Choice. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  21. "Kaley Cuoco to host People's Choice Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
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  23. Andreeva, Nellie (October 27, 2017). "Kaley Cuoco Launches Company, Inks Pod Deal With Warner Bros. TV & Set First Project – Limited Series She Would Star In". Deadline.
  24. Andreeva, Nellie (July 1, 2019). "Kaley Cuoco To Star In 'The Flight Attendant' Drama Series Picked Up By WarnerMedia Streamer, Inks New Deal With Warner Bros. TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  25. Hayes, Dade; Andreeva, Nellie (July 9, 2019). "WarnerMedia Streaming Service Gets A Name, Will Include 'Friends' Library, Greg Berlanti & Reese Witherspoon Films, CW Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  26. Iannucci, Rebecca (October 19, 2020). "Kaley Cuoco's Flight Attendant Gets HBO Max Launch Date, Perilous Poster". TVLine. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  27. D'Alessanro, Anthony. "'The Flight Attendant' Renewed For Season 2 As More Of HBO Max's Kaley Cuoco Series Cleared For Takeoff". Deadline. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  28. Boucher, Geoff (October 4, 2018). "Kaley Cuoco To Voice Harley Quinn In DC Universe Series; Watch New York Comic Con Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  29. Abdulbaki, Mae. "6 Reasons To Stream The Harley Quinn TV Show On HBO Max". Cinemablend. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  30. Petski, Denise. "'Harley Quinn' Renewed For Season 3 At HBO Max As DC Universe Transitions Out Of Scripted Originals". Deadline. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  31. Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2019). "Comedy 'Pretty' Starring Lindsey Kraft & Santina Muha From Kaley Cuoco's Yes, Norman Prods. In Works At CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  32. Kroll, Justin (April 29, 2020). "Kaley Cuoco to Star With Kevin Hart in 'Man From Toronto'". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  33. Morgan, Hudson (September 2010). "Justify Her Love". CBS Watch. Archived from the original on February 7, 2014.
  34. Masters, Megan (October 12, 2010). "Kaley Cuoco Returns to Big Bang Theory After Injury as a-Pregnant Amputee Bartender?!". E!. Archived from the original on October 16, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  35. Weiner, David (March 2, 2012). "ET Exclusive: Kaley Cuoco No Longer Engaged". ET Online.
  36. "'Big Bang Theory' star Kaley Cuoco gets married". Associated Press via Newsday. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  37. Krauser, Emily (September 25, 2015). "Kaley Cuoco Divorcing Ryan Sweeting After 21 Months of Marriage". Entertainment Tonight.
  38. Ungerman, Alex (May 9, 2016). "Kaley Cuoco Finalizes Divorce From Ryan Sweeting, Actress to Pay $165,000 in Spousal Support". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  39. "Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting Does Not Consider Herself a Feminist: I Love Feeling Like a Housewife". E! Online. December 30, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  40. "Kaley Cuoco: I'm Not a Feminist and I Love Feeling Like a Housewife". Gawker. December 30, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  41. Puente, Maria (January 2, 2015). "Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting apologizes for saying she's not a feminist". USA Today. Mclean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  42. Brodesser-Akner, Taffy (March 4, 2016). "Kaley Cuoco: "Of Course I'm a F*cking Feminist"". Cosmopolitan. New York City: Hearst Magazines. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  43. Kile, Meredith B. (December 18, 2016). "Exclusive: Kaley Cuoco Gushes Over 'Perfect' Boyfriend Karl Cook at 'Why Him?' Premiere". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  44. Mehta, Maitri. "Kaley Cuoco Is Engaged & Her Fiancé Proposed In The Most Dramatic Way". Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  45. Mizoguchi, Karen (November 30, 2017). "Kaley Cuoco Is Engaged to Boyfriend Karl Cook — Watch Her Emotional Reaction to the Proposal". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  46. "Kaley Cuoco Marries Karl Cook". E! Online. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  47. Bueno, Antoinette (January 26, 2016). "Most Bizarre 'Lip Sync Battle' Ever? Josh Gad Makes Out With Johnny Galecki as Kaley Cuoco Watches". ET Online. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  48. Schwartz, Ryan (February 20, 2020). "Kaley Cuoco's Young Sheldon Role Confirmed: The Inside Story Behind That Big Bang Theory Easter Egg". TVLine.
  49. Kilday, Gregg. "'Silver Linings Playbook' Wins Five Satellite Awards, Including Best Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
Media offices
Preceded by
Queen Latifah
People's Choice Awards host
20122013
Succeeded by
Beth Behrs & Kat Dennings
Preceded by
Katy Perry
Teen Choice Awards host
2011
Succeeded by
Demi Lovato & Kevin McHale
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