The Big Bang Theory was a huge hit, making it one of the most popular and successful sitcoms of the last decade. It embraced geek nature and made cast members such as Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco household names around the US & across the world.
Out of all of the characters on the show, it is perhaps Penny who was the most interesting. There are a few reasons for that. Not only was she one of the few women on the show, she was a complete contrast to most of the other characters in the series. Penny was a far more sociable character who was also capable of showing a much darker side than you probably realized. But despite the fact she has appeared in hundreds of episodes, even die-hard fans won’t know all these facts about Kaley Cuoco’s character.
15 Her Surname Has Never Been Revealed
One thing about Penny that remained a mystery for the entirety of The Big Bang Theory was her surname. When she eventually married Leonard, we know that it became Hofstadter, but what her last name was before this is only ever hinted at and never fully revealed.
14 She Was The Only Person To See Sheldon And Amy Kiss Before They Got Married
Throughout the various seasons of The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon and Amy were very private and didn’t show much affection for each other in public. That meant that no one saw them be intimate with one notable exception. Penny was actually the first to see the pair kiss before their wedding day.
13 Her Character Was Not In The Pilot, But Emerged After Negative Feedback From Test Audiences
Penny was not actually in the pilot. The female character that the guys interact with in the first test episode was a different character altogether who was played by a different actor. Kaley Cuoco was brought in after audience feedback for the character was negative, prompting a change in the script.
12 The Scene Where Penny And Leonard Confess Their Love Took Just One Take
A memorable scene in The Big Bang Theory was when Penny and Leonard actually confessed their feelings for each other and revealed that they were in love. While this was an important scene full of emotion, the actors actually managed to get it right on the first attempt.
11 The Original Female Character Was Much Tougher
The original female character who was in the pilot episode was very different from the Penny fans got to see in The Big Bang Theory. She was much tougher and no-nonsense, treating the male characters in a domineering way that really didn’t work for the stories the writers wanted to tell.
10 Penny Is The Only One Of The Main Cast To Miss Two Episodes
Out of all the main cast members on The Big Bang Theory, Penny is the only one to miss an episode. In fact, the character was absent for two episodes in 2010. All of the other major characters in the series have appeared in every single episode of the sitcom.
9 That’s Because Kaley Cuoco Broke Her Leg
The reason that Penny was missing from episodes is that Kaley Cuoco broke her leg. This was the result of a horse-riding accident that fractured several bones. When she did eventually return to the series, the writers simply wrote her character’s actions in a way so that viewers would not see her cast on the screen.
8 Her Birthday Has Never Been Fully Revealed
Exactly what date of Penny’s birthday is has never been fully revealed in the show. Although there have been hints and a number of possibilities from information given in the show, no definitive day was stated.
7 Kaley Cuoco And Johnny Galecki Dated In Real Life
Kaley Cuoco’s character Penny dated and eventually married Johnny Galecki’s character Leonard. This wasn’t just an onscreen romance either. The pair were actually in a relationship in real life for some time, although they later split amicably and remain friends.
6 Howard Is The Only One Of The Main Characters To Not See Her Naked
In her time on The Big Bang Theory, Penny has lived with characters such as Sheldon and spent plenty of time with them. In some cases, she has even had romantic relationships. Through a series of encounters and accidents, such as falling in the shower, practically every main character has seen her naked at some point. That is except Howard.
