During their initial years in The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki translated their onscreen romance to real lives and dated for two years. However, it wasn’t until after the sitcom’s first season concluded that the two dived into a relationship, as the Roseanne actor initially turned down Cuoco’s advances.
But prior to getting involved romantically, the two shared their first kiss as actors for the sitcom, and following Cuoco’s crush on Galecki at the time, the experience was weird.
Kaley Cuoco Recalled Being Nervous During Their First Kiss
Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki from the series The Big Bang Theory | CBS
In episode 6 of season 1, The Middle Earth Paradigm, Penny and Leonard share their first kiss, which was also the first kiss for the actors. But following Kaley Cuoco‘s crush on Johnny Galecki, kissing him as an actor was extremely frustrating and weird for The Flight Attendant star.
A still from The Big Bang Theory | CBS
In an excerpt from The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story (via Vanity Fair), she said:
I was very nervous with both [the on-screen and real-life first kisses]. I mean, I was kissing [Galecki] as Penny before we ever dated, and it’s weird when you have a crush on someone and you’re kissing them as actors
Moreover, when Cuoco later once invited Galecki into her hotel room during their trip to Montecito by making the excuse of a bug, her costar refused, as the wounds from her break-up at the time were still fresh. Fortunately, it was Galecki, who later took the first step to kickstart real-life romance between the two after the dust from her previous split-up eventually settled down.
Johnny Galecki Holds His Bond With Kaley Cuoco in High Regards
A still from The Big Bang Theory | CBS
Despite choosing to part ways quietly in 2009, the two later clarified that there was no foul play involved, and the split was a result of them wanting different things. Galecki clarified that while it was initially a lot of fun to teach each other various things, the situation became complicated once he “came to wanting different things”.
But despite the break-up, the duo continues to maintain a great friendship, and speaking of their bond, Galecki stressed he values it more than “any other previous relationship or relationship afterwards”
I adore the friends that we are. I think I might value my relationship with her more than any other previous relationship or relationship afterwards. We just have such a bond that I appreciate so much. And I think that’s part of our great friendship.
But unlike their real-life counterparts, Penny and Leonard did end up tying the knot and even welcomed at least one child, which we are aware of.
