Johnny Galecki Explained

Johnny Galecki
Birth Name:John Mark Galecki
Birth Date:1975 4, mf=yes
Birth Place:Bree, Limburg, Belgium
Nationality:American
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1987–present
Children:2

John Mark Galecki (born April 30, 1975)[1] is an American actor. The accolades he has received include a Satellite Award, alongside nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and six Screen Actors Guild Awards.

He played Leonard Hofstadter in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), and David Healy in the ABC sitcoms Roseanne (1992–1997; 2018) and The Conners (2018–2019). Galecki also appeared in the films Prancer (1989), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Suicide Kings (1997), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Bookies (2003), In Time (2011), and Rings (2017).

Galecki was one of the highest paid television actors in the world, with his role in The Big Bang Theory earning him approximately US$900,000 per episode between 2017 and 2019. In 2018, he was estimated to be the world's second highest-paid male TV actor by Forbes (behind only his The Big Bang Theory co-star Jim Parsons), earning $25 million.[2]

Early life

Galecki was born in Bree, Limburg, Belgium to American parents of Polish, Irish, and Italian descent.[3] His mother, Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Noon, was a mortgage consultant, and his father, Richard Galecki, was a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed in Belgium and worked as a rehabilitation teacher.[4] Galecki is the eldest of three children with a sister, Allison, and a brother, Nick, whom he describes as a "mechanical genius" in the automotive industry.[5] [6] Galecki grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. He dropped out of school after 8th grade, attending high school for only one day.[7] [8]

During an interview with New Zealand radio station ZM, Galecki recalled his childhood relationship with his mother. As a child, he was well known for making up long stories and tales. In such situations, his mother used to make him play the "quiet game", where he had to see how long he could go without talking. He also recalled that despite being a loving mother, she was also very tough. One phrase she would lovingly use was, "I love you, now get out."[9]

Career

After working in the Chicago theatre scene as a young child, Galecki made his onscreen acting debut in the 1987 CBS miniseries Murder Ordained with JoBeth Williams and future Roseanne co-star John Goodman. In 1989, Galecki portrayed Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. In 1990, he was cast as Danny Nash, the son of Robert Urich's lead character, on the NBC comedy American Dreamer; the following season, he was a regular cast member on the ABC sitcom Billy, a spin-off from Head of the Class. He appeared in one episode of Blossom in 1991, opposite his future The Big Bang Theory co-star Mayim Bialik. He played a young delinquent in A Family Torn Apart, a 1993 TV movie based on a true story about a serial killer.

During his run on Billy, Galecki began making guest appearances on the hit ABC sitcom Roseanne as the younger brother of Mark Healy (Glenn Quinn), who began a relationship with Darlene Conner (Sara Gilbert). Introduced in his first appearance as Kevin Healy, his name was soon changed to David. After a few more guest shots, Galecki was named a permanent Roseanne cast member from the fall of 1992 onward, after the cancellation of Billy. He would remain in the role of David Healy until the end of Roseannes run in 1997, with the character eventually marrying Darlene and fathering two children with her. Galecki's character on The Big Bang Theory would also have a short-lived relationship with Gilbert's character on the same show.

Galecki also appeared in the 1995 music video for the Dave Matthews Band song "Satellite".

After Roseanne ended, Galecki had small roles in a string of films, including the 1997 summer slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer (as the killer's first victim), Bean (1997), The Opposite of Sex (1998), Bounce (2000) and Vanilla Sky (2001). He had larger roles in the 1997 film Suicide Kings and the 2003 film Bookies, a comedy thriller film about four college students. Galecki appeared as a golfer in a 2005 episode of My Name Is Earl entitled "Stole Beer from a Golfer".[10]

In 2005, Galecki played Mark Corrigan in a pilot for a US adaptation of the British sitcom Peep Show.[11] He played a character named Trouty on TBS's sitcom My Boys, and the half-brother of the main characters, sisters Hope Shanowski and Faith Fairfield, in the sitcom Hope & Faith. Galecki originated the role of Alex, a male prostitute, in the play The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane, in 2006 at Second Stage Theater. He stayed in the role for the play's Broadway run at the Cort Theatre in late 2006 and early 2007. Galecki said at the time, "At its core, the play is about what we all sacrifice to be successful, whatever our careers or goals."[12] The play was a critical success, and Galecki won a 2007 Theater World Award for his performance.

Galecki played Leonard Hofstadter in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which ran from 2007 to 2019 and was, for most of its run, among the top three most popular television comedies in the US. Galecki was originally asked to play the role of Sheldon Cooper, but he felt he was better suited for the role of Leonard, and Sheldon's role was eventually given to Jim Parsons. During the show's run, two of Galecki's former Roseanne co-stars appeared on the show: Sara Gilbert (as Leslie Winkle, Leonard's colleague) and Laurie Metcalf (as Mary Cooper, Sheldon's mother). Galecki is a cellist, a talent that was used on the show. Until 2013, Galecki and his Big Bang co-stars Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons each earned US$325,000 per episode.[13] By 2014, the three were earning US$1 million per episode.[14]

Galecki appeared briefly in the 2008 superhero comedy Hancock, alongside Will Smith and Jason Bateman. In July 2011, he played a parody version of himself in three episodes of Entourage. He also appeared in the film In Time (2011) with Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried.

Galecki appeared in one episode of the 2018 revival of Roseanne on ABC.[15] It was canceled that May after Roseanne Barr posted a controversial and racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett.[16] Roseanne was replaced by a new program, The Conners, which premiered in October 2018 and featured the same cast without Barr. Galecki has occasionally appeared as David on The Conners.[17]

Personal life

As a teenager, Galecki dated his Roseanne (and later The Big Bang Theory) co-star Sara Gilbert (their characters also dated). During their relationship, Gilbert came out as lesbian. They remain close friends.[18]

While working on The Big Bang Theory, Galecki dated co-star Kaley Cuoco for about two years until December 2009 while the two also played a couple on the show. Cuoco told CBS Watch that they have remained on good terms since ending their relationship.[19]

Galecki owns 360 acres of land in Santa Margarita, California. His property included vineyards and a log cabin.[20] In late June 2017, Galecki's ranch was destroyed[21] in a major wildfire known as the Hill Fire.[22] Galecki, in a media statement, said wildfire was "the threat ... we live with constantly, which may seem crazy to some but we do so because living in our beautiful, rural area makes it worthwhile."

In 2018, Galecki started dating Alaina Meyer. Their son was born in November 2019. In November 2020, it was reported that Galecki and Meyer had separated.[23] [24] He is now married to Morgan Galecki, who in 2024 gave birth to their daughter.[25]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1987Time Out for DadMatt Rowles
1987Murder OrdainedDoug Rule
1988A Night in the Life of Jimmy ReardonToby Reardon
1989PrancerBilly Quinn
1989National Lampoon's Christmas VacationRussell "Rusty" Griswold
1989In Defense of a Married ManEric
1991Backfield in MotionTim Seavers
1993A Family Torn ApartDaniel Hannigan
1994Without ConsentMarty
1996Murder at My DoorTeddy McNair
1997BeanStingo Wheelie
1997Suicide KingsIra Reder
1997I Know What You Did Last SummerMax Neurick
1998The Opposite of SexJason Bock
2000Playing Mona LisaArthur
2000BounceSeth
2001Morgan's FerryDarcy
2001Vanilla SkyPeter Brown
2003BookiesJude
2004ChrystalBarry
2004White Like MeMarcusShort film
2005Happy EndingsMilesUncredited cameo
2007Who You KnowDavidShort film
2008HancockJeremy
2009Table for ThreeTed
2011In TimeBorel
2013CBGBTerry Ork
2016The CleansePaulAlso producer
2017RingsGabriel Brown
2019A Dog's JourneyHenry Montgomery

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990–1991American DreamerDanny NashMain role
1990Blind FaithJohn MarshallMain role, miniseries
1991BlossomJasonEpisode:"Sex, Lies and Teenagers"
1992BillyDavid MacGregorMain role
1992–1997;
2018
RoseanneDavid Healy / Kevin Healy (1st episode)Recurring role (season 4–9), guest (season 10)
1993Civil WarsGreg StolbachEpisode: "Split Ends"
2000Batman BeyondKnux (voice)Episode: "April Moon"
2000The Norm ShowDale StockhouseEpisodes: "Norm vs. Youth: Part 1" and "Norm vs. Youth: Part 2"
2004LAXLeland PressmanEpisode: "Finnegan Again, Begin Again"
2005My Name Is EarlScottEpisode: "Stole Beer from a Golfer"
2005Hope & FaithJay3 episodes
2005Peep ShowMarkUnaired pilot
2006American Dad!ArnieEpisode: "Irregarding Steve"
2006–2007My BoysTrouty3 episodes
2007–2019The Big Bang TheoryDr. Leonard HofstadterMain role
2009Family GuyLeonard Hofstadter (voice)Episode: "Business Guy"
2011EntourageHimself3 episodes
2016Lip Sync BattleHimselfEpisode: "Josh Gad vs. Kaley Cuoco[26]
2018–2019The ConnersDavid HealyRecurring role (season 1–2); 4 episodes
Uncredited

Music videos

YearArtistSong
1995Dave Matthews Band"Satellite"
2017Badflower"Heroin"

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1992Young Artist AwardsBest Young Actor Starring in a Television SeriesAmerican Dreamer
1993Best Young Actor Recurring in a Television SeriesRoseanne
1994Best Youth Comedian
1995Best Performance: Young Actor in a TV Comedy Series
1998Best Performance in a TV Movie or Feature Film – Young Ensemble I Know What You Did Last Summer
2008TV Land AwardsInnovator (Shared with Sarah Chalke, Sara Gilbert and Alicia Goranson)Roseanne
2010Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Male Scene StealerThe Big Bang Theory
2011Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
2012Golden Globe AwardsBest Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Golden Nymph AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Satellite AwardsBest Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2013
2014
People's Choice AwardsFavorite TV Bromance (Shared with Jim Parsons, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg)
2015Screen Actors Guild Awards
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Actor in a Comedy Series
2016People's Choice AwardsFavorite Comedic TV Actor
Screen Actors Guild Awards
2017

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Johnny Galecki . . August 27, 2014. June 11, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160611104925/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/johnny-galecki/bio/158453.
  2. News: Highest-Paid TV Actors 2018. . March 21, 2019.
  3. News: Galecki. Johnny. May 3, 1992. Johnny Galecki. The Sun Sentinel. dead. October 16, 2010. https://archive.today/20130203120445/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-05-03/features/9202060282_1_irish-water-fountain-irrational-act. February 3, 2013.
  4. Web site: Johnny Galecki Biography (1975–) . Film Reference . July 6, 2011.
  5. https://archive.today/20120717163817/http://teamcoco.com/schedule/2012-01 "Conan Show Schedule January 2–6, 2012"
  6. News: Johnny Galecki Biography. TV Guide. July 6, 2011.
  7. Geek love. Novid. Parsi. Time Out. May 3, 2009. July 25, 2021.
  8. The Gnocchi from Skokie that Sang Karaoke. Conan. June 13, 2012. TBS. 2. 103.
  9. Web site: ZM's interview with Johnny . ZM Online . July 6, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101022023710/http://www.zmonline.com/WhosOn/MorningCrew/Highlights/Detail.aspx?id=14968 . October 22, 2010 .
  10. News: Gates. Anita. November 8, 2005. WHAT'S ON TONIGHT. The New York Times. dead. September 6, 2012. https://archive.today/20130130134702/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40612F63F5A0C7B8CDDA80994DD404482. January 30, 2013.
  11. Web site: Fullerton . Huw . Peep Show US pilot starring The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki . Radiotimes.com . November 7, 2015 . January 17, 2016.
  12. Web site: Follow Spot. June 28, 2017. theatermania. October 29, 2006 .
  13. Battaglio, Stephen; Schneider, Michael (August 26, 2013). "What They Earn". TV Guide. pp. 16 – 20.
  14. Goldberg. Lesley. 'Big Bang Theory' Trio Inks New Deals, Securing Hefty Pay Raises. August 4, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. August 4, 2014.
  15. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Roseanne': Johnny Galecki Set To Return As David For ABC Revival. Deadline. December 1, 2017. December 1, 2017.
  16. Ryan. Parker. Roseanne Barr Apologizes for Racist 'Planet of the Apes' Tweet About Obama Adviser . May 29, 2018. May 29, 2018. The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. Web site: 'The Conners': Juliette Lewis Joins Johnny Galecki In ABC's 'Roseanne' Spinoff. Petski. Denise. September 25, 2018. Deadline Hollywood. September 25, 2018.
  18. Web site: Takeda. Alison. Sara Gilbert: I Realized I Was Gay While Dating Johnny Galecki. March 31, 2014. September 13, 2013.
  19. News: Morgan. Hudson. Justify Her Love. CBS Watch. September 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140207131011/http://cbswatchmagazine.com/blog/2010/09/28/justify-her-love/. February 7, 2014.
  20. Web site: Johnny Galecki On Family & His Life Upstate 01/05/12 – Video @ . Teamcoco.com . March 4, 2012.
  21. News: Johnny Galecki loses ranch in sprawling California fire. Sandra . Gonzalez. June 28, 2017. CNN. June 28, 2017.
  22. Web site: Hill Fire Incident Information. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628133211/http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1588. June 28, 2017. June 28, 2017. CAL FIRE.
  23. Web site: Johnny Galecki and Girlfriend Alaina Meyer Welcome Son Avery: 'Full and Grateful Hearts'. Bjornson. Greta. People. December 4, 2019. December 28, 2019.
  24. Web site: The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki and Girlfriend Alaina Meyer Split. Dugan. Christina. Nahas. Aili. November 30, 2020. People. December 1, 2020.
  25. Web site: Inside Johnny Galecki's Whimsically Gothic Nashville Mansion. February 7, 2024. Architectural Digest.
  26. Web site: Most Bizarre 'Lip Sync Battle' Ever? Josh Gad Makes Out With Johnny Galecki as Kaley Cuoco Watches. ET Online. Antoinette. Bueno. January 26, 2016. February 17, 2019.