Kaley Cuoco is an American actress known for her roles in The Big Bang Theory and The Flight Attendant.
She has received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
Cuoco founded Yes, Norman Productions and has starred in various TV series and films.
She is also recognized for her personal life, including relationships with co-stars and her daughter, Matilda, born in 2023 with partner Tom Pelphrey.
| Net worth | $110 million |
| Profession | Actress |
| Date of birth | November 30, 1985 |
| Nationality | American |
Background
Cuoco was born on November 30, 1985, in Camarillo, California.
Her parents are Gary Carmine Cuoco, a realtor of Italian descent, and Layne Ann Wingate, a homemaker with English and German ancestry.
Cuoco has a sister, Briana, who is also an actress and singer.
As a child, she was a regionally ranked amateur tennis player, but quit at 16 to pursue acting.
Cuoco’s first major role was in the TV movie Quicksand: No Escape, and she is best known for her roles in The Big Bang Theory and The Flight Attendant, for which she has received multiple award nominations.
Net worth
Cuoco has a net worth of $110 million, primarily earned from her successful career in film and television.
She gained fame for her role as Bridget Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules but became a household name with her portrayal of Penny in The Big Bang Theory, earning her several awards and nominations.
The show made her one of the highest-paid stars in television history, with a base salary of $1 million per episode, not including syndication royalties.
Cuoco also earns income from her role in The Flight Attendant and voicing Harley Quinn in the animated series.
She has also appeared in various films and made money from book deals, real estate investments and brand collaborations.
Real estate
Cuoco recently purchased a brand-new Modern Ranch-style home in Westlake Village, according to Contemp Realtors.
This 5-bedroom, 8-bathroom home spans 6,995 square feet and is situated on nearly 2 acres of land, offering panoramic views and indoor-outdoor living.
The property features a home theater, wine cellar, and multiple pocket doors that open to an outdoor living space.
Cuoco also owns a 40-acre horse ranch in Ventura County and a Studio City townhouse.
She recently sold her Agoura Hills home, which she purchased from Taylor Lautner in 2022, for $5.75 million.
The Big Bang Theory salary
Cuoco earned an estimated $163,380,000 from her role as Penny in the hit TV show, The Big Bang Theory.
This includes $1 million per episode for seasons 8-10, as well as a percentage of back-end and syndication profits.
Cuoco’s salary increased significantly over the show’s 12 seasons, with her earning $60,000 per episode in seasons 1-3, $200,000 per episode in season 4 and $350,000 per episode in season 7.
The show’s success allowed Cuoco and her co-stars to negotiate a larger percentage of the show’s backend equity, resulting in an additional $10 million per year for at least a decade.
Cuoco’s salary from The Big Bang Theory alone would allow her to never work again and still be financially secure.
How much did Kaley Cuoco make on Charmed?
Cuoco’s salary for her role in the TV series, Charmed, was reported to be $26,000,000 per year, according to Pay Wizard.
This significant salary reflects Cuoco’s success and popularity in the entertainment industry.
Charmed was a popular show that ran for several seasons, and her role in it likely contributed to her growing reputation and financial success in Hollywood.
Cuoco’s talent and appeal as an actress have led to her being cast in various successful projects, further solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the entertainment world.
Royalties and residuals
Cuoco has earned a significant amount of money from the show’s royalties and residuals.
From base salary alone, Cuoco made approximately $148.965 million from the show.
However, her earnings didn’t stop there, Cuoco and her main cast co-stars negotiated a deal where they each would own 1% of the show’s backend equity, which generated $1 billion in the first year of syndication sales, translating to an extra $10 million for each of them.
This means that Cuoco earned around $10 million per year for the next decade from syndication sales alone.
Furthermore, as a Screen Actors Guild show, the Big Bang Theory actors are entitled to 80% of their original paychecks in the show’s first year of reruns, essentially an 80% double dip.
Career
Cuoco’s first significant role came in the TV movie, Quicksand: No Escape.
She gained recognition for her role as Bridget Hennessy in 8 Simple Rules (2002-2005).
However, it was her portrayal of Penny in The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) that catapulted her to fame and made her one of the highest-paid stars in television history, earning $1 million per episode.
Cuoco’s career also includes voice acting, such as her role as Harley Quinn in the animated series, Harley Quinn (2019-present).
She has also appeared in various films, including Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2015) and The Wedding Ringer (2015).
Cuoco has also ventured into producing, founding Yes, Norman Productions, which has produced projects like The Flight Attendant (2020-present), in which she stars and serves as an executive producer.
The show earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Awards and accolades
Cuoco has been nominated for several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for her role in The Big Bang Theory.
However, she has not won an Emmy for this role. Despite this, she has received three Emmy nominations for her role as Cassie Bowden in The Flight Attendant.
Cuoco has also been recognized with other accolades, such as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014 and a nomination for a Dorian Award for TV Comedy of the Year in 2014 for The Big Bang Theory.
Philanthropic efforts
Cuoco actively involved in philanthropic efforts, supporting charities like the Alzheimer’s Association, American Street Kid, Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, ASPCA, The Humane Society and Shane’s Inspiration.
She participates in events like Rock4EB! to raise awareness and funds for the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation, showing a deep commitment to causes like Alzheimer’s Disease, Animal Cruelty and supporting disadvantaged youths.
Cuoco’s philanthropic work has gained new meaning after becoming a mother, emphasizing the importance of giving back and supporting those in need.
Personal life
Cuoco is currently in a relationship with Tom Pelphrey.
They have a daughter together, Matilda, who was born in March 2023.
Before her relationship with Pelphrey, Cuoco was married twice.
Her first marriage was to Ryan Sweeting, a tennis player, in 2013.
However, their marriage ended in 2016. Cuoco then married Karl Cook, an equestrian, in 2018.
Their marriage lasted for three years, and they announced their separation in 2021.
Cuoco’s current relationship with Tom Pelphrey is her most recent public relationship.
