Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco found stardom early as a teen before becoming a part of one of television's most successful and beloved sitcoms. A native of Camarillo, California, she began her screen career before her 10th birthday. She appeared with Denzel Washington in "Virtuosity" (1995) and in "Picture Perfect" (1997) with Jennifer Aniston. On television, she had a recurring role on the sitcom "Ladies Man" (CBS, 1999-2001) starring Alfred Molina and Betty White and portrayed Marica Brady actress Maureen McCormick in the television film "Growing Up Brady" (NBC, 2000). Her big break came when she was cast as John Ritter's vivacious and rebellious daughter in "8 Simple Rules" (ABC, 2002-05). Ritter's sudden death early in the second season altered the course of the series, but Cuoco became central to the show's continued run. After the show ended, the actress joined the supernatural drama "Charmed" (The WB, 1998-2006) for its final season. She also became an in-demand voice actor, lending her talents to "Bratz" (Cartoon Network, 2005-08) and "Brandy and Mr. Whiskers" (Disney Channel, 2004-06). Her place in TV history became secured when she was cast alongside Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki in "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS, 2007-19). Playing Penny, the attractive neighbor of two socially awkward scientists in Pasadena, California, Cuoco became one of the most successful actresses in television during the show's 279 episodes. Throughout the show's tenure, the actress made occasional film appearances in comedies such as "Hop" (2011) and "The Wedding Ringer" (2015). She also showed off her dramatic skills playing Stacy Peterson, the missing wife of convicted murderer Drew Peterson, in "Drew Peterson: Untouchable" (Lifetime, 2012). After the end of "Big Bang," Cuoco produced and starred in the drama "The Flight Attendant" (HBO Go, 2020-) about a woman embroiled in a murder mystery where she might be the killer.