Kaley Cuoco
| Kaley Cuoco | |
|---|---|
 Cuoco at The Big Bang Theory panel at the 2008 Comic-Con convention |
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| Born | Kaley Christine Cuoco November 30, 1985 Camarillo, California, US |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | 8 Simple Rules Charmed The Big Bang Theory |
| Awards | Choice TV Breakout Star: Female |
Kaley Christine Cuoco (pron.: /ˈkeɪliː ˈkwoʊkoʊ/ KAY-lee KWOH-koh; born November 30, 1985)[1] is an American film and television actress. She first came to attention for her role as Bridget Hennessy on the Emmy Award-winning sitcom 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005). She later starred as Billie Jenkins on the final season of the supernatural drama series Charmed (2005–2006). She has gained international acclaim and recognition for her current role as Penny on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning comedy series The Big Bang Theory (2007–present),[1] which became the highest rated comedy on US television among adults 18–49 for the 2009–10 season.[2]
Cuoco has also appeared in the films Lucky 13 (2005), The Penthouse (2010), Hop (2011), and The Last Ride (2011).
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Early life [edit]
Cuoco was born in Camarillo, California, the elder daughter of Layne Ann (née Wingate), a homemaker, and Gary Carmine Cuoco, a realtor.[3] She is of half Italian descent.[4] She has a sister, Briana, who is a dancer and currently makes appearances in the online web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries as Mary Bennet.[5]
As a child, Cuoco was once a nationally-ranked amateur tennis player,[6] a sport she took up when she was three years old but gave up in 2002, when she was 16.[7] She is a longtime friend of Bob and Mike Bryan and she grew up taking tennis lessons from Kathy Bryan, the mother of the Bryan brothers.[8][9]
Career [edit]
Early career and 8 Simple Rules: 1992–2005 [edit]
Cuoco made her first feature film appearance as the young Karin Carter in the 1995 action thriller Virtuosity, alongside Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.[10] In 1999 she appeared on the CBS sitcom Ladies Man and in 2000 she portrayed former Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick in the TV movie Growing Up Brady as well as starring in the Disney Channel Original Movie Alley Cats Strike.
8 Simple Rules [edit]
In 2002, Cuoco, at the age of 16, began a starring role as Bridget Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules. Bridget was the eldest child, despite Cuoco being six years younger than Amy Davidson who played her on-screen little sister, and was portrayed as "the most beautiful girl in the school". She had several boyfriends throughout the series and used her feminine wiles to exert significant control over the boys she encountered. After co-star John Ritter's death, the show returned on November 4, 2003, with a one-hour episode, "Goodbye", which was dedicated to Ritter's memory. Subsequent episodes dealt with the family's reaction to his death and them moving on from it. ABC cancelled the series on May 17, 2005 after three seasons due to low ratings.
Voice acting [edit]
In addition to the last season of 8 Simple Rules, she had starring roles on the NBC miniseries, 10.5, on the ABC Family original movie, Crimes of Fashion, in the independent film, Debating Robert Lee[1] and in the movie The Hollow with Nick Carter and Kevin Zegers. She also began voicing the character of Brandy Harrington, a 14-year old anthropomorphic mixed breed dog, on the Disney Channel's cartoon, Brandy and Mr. Whiskers. Cuoco began voicing the character of Kirstee Smith in Bratz from 2004–2005.
Breakout and The Big Bang Theory: 2005–present [edit]
Charmed [edit]
In the eighth season of the hit cult TV show Charmed, Cuoco appeared as Billie Jenkins, a powerful young witch who was also one of whitelighter Paige Matthews' charges. Billie has the power of telekinesis, the ability to move objects with her mind, as well as the power of projection. While the sisters assume new identities during the first few episodes of the season, she keeps their secret and does some of their magical legwork for them. Billie spent most of the season trying to find her eldest sister Christy Jenkins, who had been kidnapped 15 years ago by The Triad. Billie is eventually reunited with her sister, but does not know that she had been turned evil under the influence of demons. After Christy briefly sways her to betray The Charmed Ones, Billie eventually sides with them in the series finale and is forced to kill her sister in self-defense. Executive producer Brad Kern stated Kaley's character was initially brought in as a possible spin-off.
The Big Bang Theory [edit]
In September 2007, Cuoco began a starring role in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. She plays Penny, an aspiring actress and employee at The Cheesecake Factory who lives across the hall from two nerdy scientists, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Prior to the 2010–2011 season, she earned $60,000 an episode for the series, the same as Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons. In 2010 the cast negotiated a raise for each actor to make $200,000 per episode.[11] On September 13, 2010, she broke her leg in a horse-riding accident and missed two episodes of the series.[12] In late October 2012, Cuoco enlisted the help of her dancer 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-synching and dancing to Carly Rae Jepsen's then-ubiquitous song "Call Me Maybe". A video of the event was posted on YouTube and became a viral success.[5][13] A clip from the performance was also played during Cuoco's January 8, 2013 appearance on the late night talk show Conan.[14]
Other work [edit]
Cuoco starred in the Lifetime film To Be Fat Like Me, which premiered on January 8, 2007.[15] She also played a minor role in the Prison Break episodes "The Message" and "Chicago" as well as taking the leading female role in the comedy horror spoof Killer Movie in 2008. Cuoco appeared in the movie The Penthouse as Erica Roc.
Cuoco was named number 77 on FHM-Us 100 Sexiest Women in 2005, number 21 in 2008.[16] and number 6 in 2013 FHM 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2013. She was also named number 28 on Maxim's annual Hot 100 list in 2010 and number 13 in 2011. In 2011, Cuoco 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 2011 Teen Choice Awards[19] and the People's Choice Awards 2012[20] and 2013.[21] Cuoco has become a regular on priceline.com commercials as William Shatner's character's daughter.[22] She was the violet-suited genie in a series of Toyota RAV4 commercials, which includes a commercial in Super Bowl XLVII.[23]
Personal life [edit]
While working on The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco dated co-star Johnny Galecki for two years. They kept their relationship private until they broke up.[24][25]
In October 2011, Cuoco announced her engagement to boyfriend Josh Resnik, an addiction specialist and former bassist for Danzig.[26] However, in March 2012 she revealed that she was no longer engaged,[27] and began dating Pepper bassist Bret Bollinger.[28][29]
Cuoco has said that she is a big fan of both Game of Thrones and Harry Potter.[30]
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Quicksand: No Escape | Connie Reinhardt | Television film |
| 1995 | Virtuosity | Karin Carter | |
| 1997 | Picture Perfect | Little Girl | |
| 1997 | Toothless | Lori | Television film |
| 1998 | Mr. Murder | Charlotte Stillwater | Television film |
| 2000 | Alley Cats Strike | Elisa Bowers | Disney Channel Original Movie |
| 2000 | Growing Up Brady | Maureen McCormick | Television film |
| 2000 | Can't Be Heaven | Teresa Powers | Credited as Kaley Cuaco |
| 2003 | A Merry Mickey Celebration | Herself | |
| 2004 | Debating Robert Lee | Maralee Rodgers | |
| 2004 | 10.5 | Amanda Williams | Television film |
| 2004 | Crimes of Fashion | Brooke | Television film |
| 2004 | The Hollow | Karen | |
| 2005 | Lucky 13 | Sarah Baker | |
| 2006 | Separated at Worth | Gabby | Television film |
| 2006 | Wasted | Katie Cooning | |
| 2006 | Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion — Diamondz | Kirstee Smith | |
| 2007 | To Be Fat Like Me | Alyson Schmidt | Television film |
| 2007 | Cougar Club | Amanda | |
| 2008 | Killer Movie | Blanca Champion | |
| 2010 | The Penthouse | Erica Roc | |
| 2011 | Hop | Samantha O'Hare | |
| 2011 | The Last Ride | Wanda | |
| 2012 | Drew Peterson: Untouchable | Stacy Peterson | Television film |
| 2013 | Scribble | Hannah Rinaldi | Starring with Jonathan Bennett |
| 2013 | Babies Unite | Donna Matthews | Filming alongside Kaylee DeFer and Oliver Hudson |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | My So-Called Life | Young Angela Chase | Episode: "Father Figures" |
| 1994 | Northern Exposure | Miranda (Randi) | Episode: "Hello, I Love You" |
| 1996 | Ellen | Little Ellen Morgan | Episode: "The Bubble Gum Incident" |
| 2000 | Homewood PI | Lauren Crane | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2000 | Don't Forget Your Toothbrush | Ashley | |
| 2000–01 | Ladies Man | Bonnie Stiles | 8 episodes |
| 2001 | 7th Heaven | Lynn | Episode: "Relationships" |
| 2002 | First Monday | Alyssa | 1 episode |
| 2002 | The Ellen Show | Vanessa | Episode: "Shallow Gal" |
| 2002 | The Nightmare Room | Kristin Ferris | Episode: "My Name Is Evil" |
| 2003 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Zoe Young | Episode: "Feeling The Heat" |
| 2004 | The Help | Carly Michaels | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2004 | Complete Savages | Erin | Episode: "For Whom the Cell Tolls" |
| 2004 | Punk'd | Herself | Season 3 Episode 3 |
| 2002–05 | 8 Simple Rules | Bridget Hennessy | Main role |
| 2005–07 | Loonatics Unleashed | Paula Hayes/Weather Vane | Episode: "Weathering Heights" Episode: "Acmegeddon: Part 1" Episode: "Acmegeddon: Part 2" |
| 2006 | Secrets of a Small Town | Misty Anders | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2004–06 | Brandy and Mr. Whiskers | Brandy Harrington | Voice; main role |
| 2004-2010 | 6teen | Chrissie Baldwin | Voice |
| 2005–06 | Bratz | Kirstee Smith | Voice |
| 2005–06 | Charmed | Billie Jenkins | Main role (Season 8) 22 episodes |
| 2007 | Prison Break | Sasha | Episode: "The Message" and "Chicago" |
| 2007–present | The Big Bang Theory | Penny | Main role |
Awards [edit]
| Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Nominated work |
| 1993 | Nominated | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actress in a Cable movie | Quicksand: No Escape |
| 2000 | Nominated | YoungStar Awards | Best Young Actress/Performance in a Miniseries/Made-For-TV Film | Growing Up Brady |
| 2003 | Nominated | 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 | ||
| Won | Choice TV Breakout Star: Female | |||
| 2004 | Nominated | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Comedy | |
| Nominated | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Adult Performer in a Teenage Role | ||
| 2006 | Won | Method Fest | Best Ensemble Cast | Debating Robert Lee |
| 2009 | Won | 2nd EWwy Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | The Big Bang Theory |
| 2010 | Nominated | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Comedy | |
| 2011 | Nominated | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Comedy | |
| 2012 | Nominated | People's Choice Awards | Favorite TV Comedy Actress | |
| Nominated | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Comedy | ||
| Won | Satellite Awards 2012 | Best Actress in a Comedy Series[31] | ||
| 2013 | Nominated | People's Choice Awards | Favorite TV Comedy Actress | |
References [edit]
- ^ a b c "Kaley Cuoco". Ask Men. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
- ^ Nellie Andreeva (May 27, 2010). "Full Series Rankings for the 2009–10 Broadcast Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco | Movies and Biography – Yahoo!! Movies Canada". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ Roach, Carol (October 17, 2011). "Kaley Cuoco's Interview with Ellen DeGeneres – Yahoo!! TV". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ^ a b Ratledge, Ingela (December 3, 2012) "Big Bang's Flash Mob Mentality". TV Guide. p. 6
- ^ 14 Singles "Southern California Tennis Association 1998 Year End Junior Rankings". californiatennis.com. Retrieved 2012-10-07. No. 54 in Girls' 14 Singles.
- ^ Acuna, Kirsten (March 2, 2012). "25 Things You Don't Know About Newly Single Kaley Cuoco—CBS' 'Big Bang Theory' Sweetheart". businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2012-10-07. "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"
- ^ Brad Shafran (2010-07-28). "A Long Island Tennis Magazine Exclusive … A Sit-Down Chat With the Bryan Brothers". Long Island Tennis Magazine. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- ^ "Bryans Defeat Rivals To Tie All-Time Team Titles Record - Bryan Brothers Doubles Professional Tennis Champions". Bryanbros.com. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- ^ Entertainment Tonight. CBS. November 30, 2012.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco". kaleycuoco.org. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
- ^ Masters, Megan (October 12, 2010). "Kaley Cuoco Returns to Big Bang Theory After Injury as a-Pregnant Amputee Bartender?!". Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ "The Big Bang Theory Flash mob! [Full version compilation]". NommiXproductions. YouTube. November 16, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^ "The Guy Who Drove a Hummer and Wasn't a Total A-Hole". Conan. Season 3. Episode 25. January 8, 2013. TBS.
- ^ "Movies — To Be Fat Like Me". lifetimetv.com. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- ^ Kaley Cuoco. "FHM-US's 100 Sexiest Women 2005 (Chatham Journal)". Ca.askmen.com. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ Brown, Robyn (May 2011). "The Naked Truth: 4 Celebrities Go Nude for Allure". Allure. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco Signs For "I Hop," "Last Ride" – March 31, 2010". Dark Horizons. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco to Host 2011 Teen Choice Awards". Retrieved 2011-07-28.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco to Host 2012 People's Choice Awards". People's Choice. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco to host People's Choice Awards". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco joins Shatner in Priceline ads". Retrieved 2013-04-26.
- ^ Cassie Carpenter (2013-02-04). "Kaley Cuoco is a violet-suited genie in Toyota's wish-granting Super Bowl spot | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- ^ Thomson, Katherine. "Kaley Cuoco & Johnny Galecki Dated: 'Big Bang' Costars Together Two YEARS". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco Secretly Dated Big Bang Theory Costar for 2 Years". US Weekly. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
- ^ "Kaley Cuoco Engaged to Josh Resnik". People. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ^ Weiner, David (March 2, 2012). "ET Exclusive: Kaley Cuoco No Longer Engaged". ET Online. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- ^ Finlayson, Ariana (March 27, 2012). "Kaley Cuoco Packs on PDA with Musician Bret Bollinger". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^ Mike, Larkin (26 September 2012). "Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco turns on the Hollywood glamour in ruffled white dress as she heads to TV studios in New York". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
- ^ 2012 San Diego Comic-Con – The Big Bang Theory panel. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
- ^ 'Silver Linings Playbook' Wins Five Satellite Awards, Including Best Picture, Kilday, Gregg The Hollywood Reporter December 16, 2012.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kaley Cuoco |
- Kaley Cuoco at the Internet Movie Database
- Kaley Cuoco on Twitter
| Media offices | ||
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| Preceded by Queen Latifah |
People's Choice Awards host 2012–2013 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Katy Perry |
Teen Choice Awards host 2011 |
Succeeded by Demi Lovato & Kevin McHale |
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