21 Facts About The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco That Will Blow Your Mind

Get to know this bright star

It didn't take traveling to 37,000 feet for a high-flying fashion shoot in 2011 for Watch! to realize that Kaley Cuoco is one of the coolest and most down-to-earth women on the planet. Add her signature charm and accessibility to the role of Penny, the knockout neighbor on The Big Bang Theory, and it's easy to see why the stunning actress continues to shine. 

Here are some fascinating facts we've learned about Kaley—like her starring in the first ever inflight magazine fashion shoot pictured above—paired with gorgeous photographs that capture her beautifully.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She was home-schooled

Kaley Cuoco got her general education at home and received her high school degree at an impressive 16 years old!

Photography by Mark Mann.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Add tennis player to Kaley's impressive resume

Before she committed to acting full time, Kaley Cuoco was ranked nationally as an amateur tennis player. Is there anything she can't do?!

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She digs the wild, wild west

Kaley Cuoco once said that if she could be in any genre of film, it would be a western.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Her last name is Italian

Kaley has Italian heritage on father's side, and Cuoco actually translates to "cook" in Italian!

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's a Cali girl

Kaley Cuoco was born in Camarillo in Southern California and now resides a close drive away from where she grew up.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She has a celebrity girl crush

Something that a lot of us have in common with Kaley Cuoco? Crushing on Jennifer Aniston.

Photography by Patrick Demarchelier.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

We were her first magazine cover

From Maxim to Shape, Kaley Cuoco has graced many magazine covers. In 2009, Watch! first photographed The Big Bang Theory star and early cast for a special collector's issue.

Photography by Mark Mann.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's a Sagittarius

Born on November 30, 1985, Kaley Cuoco falls under the fun-loving, adventurous, and creative zodiac sign, Sagittarius.

Photography by Patrick Demarchelier.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Kaley adopted an adorable dwarf mini horse

Kaley Cuoco and her boyfriend Karl Cook took their love for horses to the next level with this heartwarming adoption. Kaley and Karl named the newest addition to their family Shmooshy, inspired by the horse's nose that Kaley describes as "all shmooshed." 

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She made her TV debut as a kid

At just 7 years old, Kaley Cuoco landed first role on television was as Connie Reinhardt in the 1992 TV movie Quicksand: No Escape.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She shows horses under a secret name

Wanting to pursue her equestrian passion but avoid the paparazzi, Kaley Cuoco began showing horses under an alias. She explained in an interview, "Bringing paparazzi to horse shows is not a great idea, it spooks the horses, so I've actually started showing under a secret name."

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's a vegetarian

While you may have already guessed it due to her passion for animals and involvement with animal rights charities, Kaley Cuoco doesn't eat meat.

Photography by Patrick Demarchelier.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She has philanthropic pursuits

Kaley is involved with multiple charities including Friends of Animals, the Humane Society, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and Animal Avengers.

Photography by Mark Mann.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

You can follow her pets on Insta

Kaley Cuoco's former personal Instagram (@normancook) was named after one of her pups, Norman. Last year, The Big Bang Theory star changed her IG handle to her name (@kaleycuoco). Her adopted mini horse, Shmooshy, has her own personal account (@lifewithshmooshy)!

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She has impeccable taste

The Big Bang Theory star's personal style is opposite of her character. Penny is super-cutesy while Kaley Cuoco prefers muted colors, classic pieces, and high-end fashion.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's very active

Kaley is a gifted tennis player who also hikes, runs, rides horses, goes to the gym, and plays with her rescue dogs.

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's friends with her TBBT cast members on and off screen

Kaley once said in an interview with CBS' The Talk that her relationship with her coworkers on The Big Bang Theory is just as fun off camera as it seems on the show!

Photography by Mark Mann.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

When life knocks her down, she's not afraid to get back on the horse

What is it that they say about getting back in the saddle? Just ask Kaley Cuoco. Less than a year after being bucked off her bronco and almost losing her leg in a freak accident, The Big Bang Theory star rode to more successful seasons on CBS' hit comedy. 

Photography by Jeff Lipsky.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She rarely gets star struck... unless it's Patrick

Kaley Cuoco told Watch! that working with the Patrick Demarchelier (who photographed the star above) was one of the highlights of her career, and she was in complete awe of him.

Photography by Patrick Demarchelier.

Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

She's a seasoned pro in front of the camera

While she started her acting career in TV as a child, Kaley Cuoco has landed roles in movies and tons of modeling gigs since.

Photography by Mark Mann.

​Watch The Big Bang Theory on Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.