What is Kaley Cuoco's Net Worth?
Kaley Cuoco is an American actress and singer, boasting a net worth of $110 million. She gained initial fame as Bridget Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules (2002-2005), but it was her role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) that brought her international acclaim. The series not only made her a household name but also one of the highest-paid TV actresses, earning $150 million in base salary from the show.
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After The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco displayed her versatility by voicing Harley Quinn in the eponymous animated series and starring in the critically acclaimed drama The Flight Attendant, which she also executive produced. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination, showcasing her dramatic acting chops.
Early Life
Born on November 30, 1985, in Camarillo, California, Kaley Cuoco is the daughter of Gary and Layne Cuoco. Homeschooled to pursue her acting career, she began working professionally at the age of six, appearing in commercials and modeling. Notably, Cuoco also participated in amateur tennis tournaments, highlighting her athleticism.
Career
Kaley Cuoco's acting journey began with minor roles in films such as Virtuosity (1995) and Picture Perfect (1997), and guest spots on TV shows like Ellen and Northern Exposure. Her breakthrough came with the role of Bridget Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules.
Following this, Cuoco took on various roles in TV shows and movies, including a recurring role in Charmed (2005-2006) and voicing Brandy Harrington in Brandy & Mr. Whiskers (2004-2006).
However, it was her role as Penny in The Big Bang Theory that catapulted her to stardom. Running for 12 seasons, the show earned Cuoco multiple awards and made her one of the highest-paid actresses in television history.
Cuoco has continued to diversify her portfolio, starring in films like The Wedding Ringer and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. She took on a leading role and executive produced HBO Max's The Flight Attendant, earning critical acclaim and several award nominations.
Kaley Cuoco's 'Big Bang Theory' Salary History
Cuoco's salary per episode of The Big Bang Theory evolved significantly over the show's run. She earned $45,000 per episode in the first season, rising to $200,000 per episode for seasons two through four, and $350,000 per episode for seasons five through seven. For seasons eight through ten, she earned $850,000 per episode, and for the final two seasons, she earned $1 million per episode. In total, her earnings from the show amount to $148.965 million in salary alone.
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Royalties and Residuals
Kaley Cuoco, along with Johnny Galecki and Jim Parsons, negotiated a deal to own 1% of The Big Bang Theory's backend equity. In its first year of syndication, the show earned $1 billion, giving each of them $10 million. They are expected to earn around $10 million per year from syndication for the next decade. Additionally, as a SAG show, the actors receive 80% of their original paychecks in the first year of reruns, further boosting their earnings.
Personal Life
Kaley dated her Big Bang Theory co-star Johnny Galecki for around two years. She was also briefly engaged to Josh Resnik but called it off in 2012. In December 2013, she married tennis player Ryan Sweeting, filing for divorce two years later. She began dating equestrian Karl Cook in late 2016, marrying him in 2018. They lived separately until 2020 but announced their separation in 2021.
Cuoco enjoys horseback riding, playing the drums, kickboxing, and bowling. Her favorite activity is tennis, a sport she has loved since childhood. She was listed in FHM-Us' 100 Sexiest Women, ranking #77 in 2005 and #21 in 2008.
Real Estate
In 2019, Cuoco and Cook bought a mansion in Hidden Hills, California, for $12 million and sold it for $16 million in 2022. Cuoco also owns a 40-acre horse ranch in Ventura County. In April 2022, she purchased a property in Agoura Hills for $5.25 million from actor Taylor Lautner, later selling it for $5.5 million in April 2024.
