Johnny Galecki: 10 things you didn't know about 'The Big Bang Theory' star

10 things you didn't know about Johnny Galecki

Johnny Galecki might have traded his glitzy life in Hollywood for a quiet life in Nashville, Tennessee with his son, but there are several fans of 'The Big Bang Theory' who equate the show with Galecki's role as the scholarly Leonard. Here are ten unknown facts about Galecki, who started his thespian career at a tender age.

Johnny Galecki was born in Belgium

As an airman in US Air Force, Johnny Galecki's father was stationed in Belgium. The actor was born in Bree, Belgium in 1975. 

Johnny Galecki pierced his ears when he was just 10

'The Big Bang Theory' star, who started his career early in the show business, wanted to pierce his ears when he was just 10 years old. Failing to secure permission from his father, Galecki pierced his own ear with "a safety pin and an ice cube." He later told Entertainment Weekly that his parents did not get mad at him. "My father's only reaction was, 'It looks like a dog gnarled on your ear,'" Galecki said, as per Nicki Swift.

Johnny Galecki was Mayim Bialik's first onscreen kiss

In 1991, Johnny Galecki starred in a cameo for 'Blossom'. In the episode, he played the role of Jason, who was Blossom's first kiss. Later, Bialik admitted in an interview, "Yeah, it might have been my first real-life kiss, also."

Johnny Galecki never finished high school

While Galecki's Leonard had a doctorate in 'The Big Bang Theory', the star admitted that he dropped out of middle school in real life. In an interview with Time Out Chicago in 2009, he confessed, "I quit school in the middle of eighth grade," before adding, "I went to high school one day. It was a half day. Just really didn't think it was for me." He, however, got private lessons from several instructors.

Johnny Galecki almost played Sheldon

While Galecki has etched his name forever in the minds of 'The Big Bang Theory' fans as Dr Leonard Hofstadter, he was initially offered the role of Sheldon. Galecki rejected the offer and asked for Leonard instead, stating, "It was a very selfish request on my part." He explained to Variety, "I hadn't been able to traverse those stories of the heart. I've often been cast as the best friend or the gay assistant of whatever character got to explore those relationships. I said I'd rather play this guy, who seems to have a future of romantic triumphs and difficulties."

Johnny Galecki was a part of Sarah Gilbert's coming-out journey

During his 'Roseanne' days, Galecki dated Sara Gilbert. However, they broke up after Gilbert realized her sexuality. She later recalled in an episode of 'The Talk' in 2013, "I thought he was super cute and had a crush on him," before adding, "We started dating, and he would come over and we would, like, make out, and then I would start to get depressed." Naturally, this upset Galecki too. Gilbert shared, "I eventually told him I thought it was about my sexuality, and he was super sweet about it." Gilbert shared that they remained friends after that and Galecki supported him in her coming-out journey. She recounted Galecki providing him support during her 2010 coming-out as he said, "'Of course. I love you, and I think it's really important and I'm so proud of you. If you want, I will be there, and I will hold your hand'."

John Galecki was secretly in a relationship with Kaley Cuoco for two years

Johnny Galecki dated his onscreen love interest from 'The Big Bang Theory' for two years. Asked about the reason for maintaining the secrecy, Galecki told 'CBS Watch!' in 2013, "I just don't like to speak about it. And not because I'm trying to be enigmatic; I just worry that it will conflict with people's acceptance of Leonard and Penny."

John Galecki did only one 'Roseanne' reboot episode

In 2018, Johnny Galecki made a brief return to the 'Roseanne' reboot that premiered after a hiatus of 21 years. Galecki, who was on 'TBBT' then, explained his miniscule screen-time citing the two shows airing on two rival networks. He explained to Fox News, "It's a different network," before adding, "And it was probably most uncomfortable only to me because obviously Big Bang is my home and my family. But I probably wouldn't have been on Big Bang if it hadn't been for Roseanne. So there were just the politics to be considerate about, but everyone was very supportive."

Johnny Galecki welcomed a son in 2019

Johnny Galecki became a father in 2019 as he welcomed his son Avery with his then-girlfriend Alaina Meyer in November that year.

Johnny Galecki lost his ranch in wildfire

Galecki is no stranger to losing his home. He once owned a 300-acre ranch in Northern California but lost it to the wildfire in 2017. He eventually sold the land in 2019.