Even after The Big Bang Theory ends, for many, Kaley Cuoco will forever be known as Penny. But long before landing that starring role, the 32-year-old actress took on a lot of smaller projects in both in film and on TV.
Looking back at Kaley's career now, her hard work has most certainly paid off — in both awards and money. Besides earning a Teen Choice Award in 2003 for her part in 8 Simple Rules, Kaley has since earned two People's Choice Awards and one Critics' Choice Television Award for The Big Bang Theory. In terms of pay, Kaley is now one of the world's highest-paid TV actresses, according to Forbes. All things considered, Kaley has amassed a net worth of $55 million as of 2018, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Take a look back at just how hard Kaley has worked to get to where she is in her career:
Starting out very young
As many actors and actresses do, Kaley began her quest for fame when she was just a kid growing up in Camarillo, California. According to CBS, when she was just five, modeling agents saw potential in Kaley. Because of her talent (and overall adorableness), she was given the chance to star in Oscar Mayer and Barbie commercials in the '90s.
And things only got better for her from there. Kaley went on to appear in several TV shows, including 7th Heaven, Northern Exposure, and My So-Called Life. Other credits include starring in the Disney Channel original movie Alley Cats Strike and playing a prominent part in Growing Up Brady.
Due to the fact that she was "a bit of an outcast," Kaley revealed in 2012 to Parade that she was homeschooled for her preteen years. At just 16 years old, Kaley received her high school degree, CBS reports – a sign of just how much of an overachiever Kaley was, even at such a young age.
Kaley's first big role on 8 Simple Rules
Still in her teens, Kaley got her first big break when she landed the part of Bridget Hennessy in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. It was here, alongside John Ritter and Katey Sagal, that Kaley began to make a name for herself. The sitcom took a sad turn, however, when just one year after the premiere, John died of an aortic dissection in September 2003.
To this day, Kaley still remains close with the 8 Simple Rules cast. Her bond with Katey became even more special when the actress who played Kaley's TV mom in 8 Simple Rules was cast as Penny's mom in season 10 of The Big Bang Theory.
After her successful stint as Bridget ended in 2005, Kaley snagged a part as Billie Jenkins in Charmed. And one year later in 2007, Kaley officially accepted her job as Penny in The Big Bang Theory. Little did she know that the show would go on to be the mega-popular sitcom that it is 11 years later — receiving an impressive 10 Emmys (52 nominations) and seven Golden Globes so far.
Big Bang success and beyond
While playing Penny, Kaley began scoring some serious endorsement deals. Two of her most noteworthy ones, with Priceline and Toyota, earned her a cool $2 million in 2013, Forbes reported.
Still, the amount pales in comparison to the chunk of change she's received from The Big Bang Theory over the years. Though the Washington Post claims that ratings for the show have climbed from day one, it wasn't until 2012 when TBS gained syndication rights for $1.5 million that the comedy really took off. Two years later, the actors scored a really big bonus. In 2014, it was announced that Kaley, along with Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki, would be paid $1 million per episode (for season 10 this amassed to $24 million). Eventually, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar were given that hefty deal as well.
For seasons 11 and 12, it was reported by Deadline that Kaley, Jim, Johnny, Simon, and Kunal each took a pay cut of $100,000 an episode in order to give Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch a pay raise. Even still, Kaley earned a whopping $900,000 an episode, a salary that she'll continue to receive until the end of the show.
At one point, the question arose over whether Kaley would have to split some of her hard-earned BBT money with her first husband, Ryan Sweeting, after the pair divorced in 2015. But ET reported that the two had signed a prenup which stated that each party would retain their assets. Further, the report indicates that Ryan was required to pay Kaley $165,000 in spousal support.
Kaley is now happily married to 27-year-old equestrian Karl Cook. It's uncertain what she is going to do after her stint with BBT is officially over, but it's probably safe to say, her and Karl will be set for life.
The final season of The Big Bang Theory returns Monday, September 24 on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.
In the meantime, why not catch up on some old episodes?
