Introduced in The Big Bang Theory Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki’s Penny and Leonard, respectively, initially appear as an unlikely pair to viewers. While Leonard’s one-sided affection for Penny, dreaming of “smart and beautiful” children, seemed evident on screen, the reality differed behind the scenes.
Both Cuoco and Galecki have confessed to harboring crushes on each other while working together, eventually leading to them starting a relationship. Reflecting on their journey, Cuoco reminisced about the first time Galecki mustered the courage to compliment her, hinting at the budding attraction between them.
Kaley Cuoco And Johnny Galecki Reminisced About Behind-the-Scenes Romance
In a nostalgic look back at their time on The Big Bang Theory, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco opened up about the sparks that flew between them on and off-screen in their interviews for The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series.
Admitting that they had crushes on each other since the beginning, the actress reflected on the pivotal moment in the show that mirrored their real-life attractions. Episode 6 of Season 1, The Middle Earth Paradigm, follows Penny throwing a Halloween party.
After her ex-boyfriend shows up at the party, Penny drunkenly kisses Leonard while dressed as a Kitty Kat. “I knew I looked real cute in that outfit, so I was feeling really good about myself,” she said, as per Vanity Fair. Cuoco also recalled Galecki complimenting her while sharing that she was super nervous to film the kiss scene.
And I knew he thought I looked cute because he commented on how cute I looked in that outfit earlier. But I was definitely nervous before that kiss.
“I mean, Kaley Cuoco as a kitty cat? Come on!” the Roseanne actor playfully quipped. The Flight Attendant star shared that it soon became evident there was a spark between them, describing a mutual attraction and chemistry that persisted until they eventually began dating in real life.
Johnny Galecki Recalled Making the First Move
In their conversation for The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco recalled their mutual infatuation and how Galecki took the initiative to make the first move toward the Emmy-nominated actress.
I had gone over to the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank after rehearsal. I was there for a bit when I texted Kaley because I knew she lived in the valley — And she texted back yes and was there in like twenty minutes or something.
The actor later shared that Cuoco was actually about forty-five minutes away when he initially texted her. “That’s really pathetic that I just didn’t even make him wait for like ten minutes,” Cuoco playfully added to the conversation.
Galecki, however, found Cuoco’s quick response endearing rather than pathetic. Despite initial uncertainties about mixing personal and professional dynamics, Galecki confessed that not exploring their feelings further might have been more distracting.
After keeping their romance a secret even from the cast, the former couple eventually disclosed their relationship. While Penny and Leonard’s on-screen relationship flourished, Cuoco and Galecki ended their real-life romance after nearly two years of dating.
The Big Bang Theory is available to stream on Max.
