Johnny Galecki

Johnny Galecki

Galecki at PaleyFest 2013
Born John Mark Galecki
(1975-04-30) April 30, 1975
Bree, Belgium
Nationality American
Occupation Actor
Years active 1987–present

John "Johnny" Mark Galecki (born April 30, 1975)[1] is an American actor. He is known for his role as David Healy in the ABC sitcom Roseanne from 1992–97 and as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory since 2007. Galecki also appeared in the films National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), Prancer (1989), Suicide Kings (1997), I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Bookies (2003), and In Time (2011).

Early life

Galecki was born in Bree, Belgium, to American parents of Polish, Irish, and Italian descent.[2] His mother, 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 also worked as a rehabilitation teacher.[3] Galecki is the eldest of three children with a brother, Nick, whom he describes as a "mechanical genius" in the automotive industry,[4] and a sister, Allison.[5] Galecki grew up in Oak Park, Illinois.[6]

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."[7]

Career

Galecki made his 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. One of his best known roles was as David Healy (first introduced as Kevin Healy) in the U.S. sitcom Roseanne. He also appeared in the 1995 music video for the Dave Matthews Band song "Satellite". Galecki was cast in the 1997 summer slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer and the 1998 dark comedy The Opposite of Sex. In the year 2000, Galecki reunited with Opposite of Sex director Don Roos, who cast him in Bounce.

Galecki in July 2008

Galecki continued his film streak with roles in Suicide Kings (1997) and brief bit parts in high-profile films such as Bean (1997), and a minor supporting part in Vanilla Sky (2001). Galecki played a young delinquent in A Family Torn Apart, a 1993 TV movie based on a true story about a serial killer. He was also in the 2003 film Bookies, a comedy thriller film written by Michael Bacall and directed by Mark Illsley. The story revolves around the lives of four college students. Galecki appeared as a golfer in a 2005 episode of My Name Is Earl entitled "Stole Beer from a Golfer".[8]

In 2005, Galecki played Mark Corrigan in a pilot for a US adaptation of Peep Show.[9] He played a character named Trouty on TBS's sitcom My Boys. He also played the half-brother of the main characters, sisters Hope Shanowski and Faith Fairfield, in the sitcom Hope & Faith. In late 2006 and early 2007, Galecki appeared in the Broadway play The Little Dog Laughed as a prostitute called Alex. "At its core, the play is about what we all sacrifice to be successful, whatever our careers or goals," he explains.[10] Galecki originated the role earlier in 2006 at Second Stage Theatre. The widely popular comedy by Douglas Carter Beane had a successful run at Second Stage and moved to the Cort Theatre. The play closed on February 18, 2007, with Galecki taking home a 2007 Theater World Award for his performance.

Galecki currently plays the role of Leonard Hofstadter in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, which debuted September 24, 2007. He was originally asked to play the role of Sheldon Cooper, but he said he was better suited for the role of Leonard Hofstadter. During his role as David Healy, Sara Gilbert played the role of his longtime girlfriend and later wife, Darlene Conner. She has appeared as Leslie Winkle, a colleague in the sitcom. Laurie Metcalf, formerly cast in the role of Roseanne's sister Jackie Harris has appeared as Mary Cooper, mother of Leonard's roommate, Sheldon. Galecki is a cellist, a talent which has been used on the show. As of August 2013, Galecki and his Big Bang costars Kaley Cuoco and Jim Parsons each earn $325,000 per episode.[11] As of August 2014, the three costars will now earn $1 million per episode.[12]

Galecki appeared briefly in the 2008 superhero comedy Hancock, alongside Will Smith and Jason Bateman. In July 2011, Galecki 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.

Personal life

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.[13] The pair, along with co-star Mayim Bialik, are vegetarian.[14]

Galecki owns 360 acres (150 ha) of land in Santa Margarita, California. His property includes vineyards and a log cabin.[15]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1987 Time Out for Dad Matt Kowalski
1987 Murder Ordained Doug Rule
1988 A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon Toby Reardon
1989 Prancer Billy Quinn
1989 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Russell "Rusty" Griswold
1990 Blind Faith John Marshall
1990 In Defense of a Married Man Eric
1991 Backfield in Motion Tim Seavers
1993 A Family Torn Apart Daniel Hannigan
1994 Without Consent Marty
1996 Murder at My Door Teddy McNair
1997 Bean Stingo Wheelie
1997 Suicide Kings Ira Reder
1997 I Know What You Did Last Summer Max Neurick
1998 The Opposite of Sex Jason Bock
2000 Playing Mona Lisa Arthur
2000 Bounce Seth
2001 Morgan's Ferry Darcy
2001 Vanilla Sky Peter Brown
2003 Bookies Jude
2004 Chrystal Barry
2004 White Like Me Marcus Short film
2005 Happy Endings Miles Uncredited
2007 Who You Know David Short film
2008 Hancock Jeremy
2009 Table for Three Ted
2011 In Time Borel
2013 CBGB Terry Ork
2015 The Master Cleanse Post-production
2016 Rings Gabriel Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990–1991 American Dreamer Danny Nash 17 episodes
1991 Blossom Jason Episode:"Sex, Lies and Teenagers"
1992 Billy David MacGregor 13 episodes.
1992–1997 Roseanne Kevin / David Healy 92 episodes
Nominated for four and winner of one Young Artist Award
1993 Civil Wars Greg Stolbach Episode: "Split Ends"
2000 Batman Beyond Knux Voice
Episode: "April Moon"
2000 The Norm Show Dale Stockhouse Episodes: "Norm vs. Youth: Part 1" and "Norm vs. Youth: Part 2"
2004 LAX Leland Pressman Episode: "Finnegan Again, Begin Again"
2005 My Name Is Earl Scott Episode: "Stole Beer from a Golfer"
2005 Hope & Faith Jay 3 episodes
2006 American Dad! Arnie Episode: "Irregarding Steve"
2006–2007 My Boys Trouty 3 episodes
2007–present The Big Bang Theory Dr. Leonard Hofstadter Satellite Award for Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (2011)
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Television Series Musical or Comedy (2011)
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2012–2013)
2009 Family Guy Leonard Hofstadter Voice
Episode: "Business Guy"
2011 Entourage Himself 3 episodes

Music videos

Year Artist Song Role
1995 Dave Matthews Band "Satellite"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
1992 Young Artist Award Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series American Dreamer Nominated
1993 Best Young Actor Recurring in a Television Series Roseanne Nominated
1994 Best Youth Comedian Won
1995 Best Performance: Young Actor in a TV Comedy Series Nominated
2008 TV Land Award Innovator Shared with Sarah Chalke, Sara Gilbert and Alicia Goranson. Won
2010 Teen Choice Award Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer The Big Bang Theory Nominated
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2012 Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical Nominated
Golden Nymph Award Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film & Television Award Best Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Satellite Award Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical Won
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Shared with Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons, and Melissa Rauch Nominated
2013 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Shared with Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons, and Melissa Rauch Nominated
2014 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Shared with Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons, and Melissa Rauch Nominated
Online Film & Television Award Best Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
People's Choice Award Favorite TV Bromance Shared with Jim Parsons, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg Nominated
2015 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Shared with Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Jim Parsons, and Melissa Rauch Nominated

References

  1. "Johnny Galecki". TV Guide. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  2. Galecki, Johnny (May 3, 1992). "Johnny Galecki". The Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  3. "Johnny Galecki Biography (1975–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  4. "Conan Show Schedule January 2–6, 2012". Team Coco. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  5. "Johnny Galecki Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  6. "The Gnocchi from Skokie that Sang Karaoke". Conan. Season 2. Episode 103. June 13, 2012. TBS.
  7. "ZM's interview with Johnny". ZM Online. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  8. Gates, Anita (November 8, 2005). "WHAT'S ON TONIGHT". nytimes.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  9. Fullerton, Huw (2015-11-07). "Peep Show US pilot starring The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki". Radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  10. THEATER NEWS
  11. Battaglio, Stephen; Schneider, Michael (August 26, 2013). "What They Earn". TV Guide. pp. 16 - 20.
  12. Goldberg, Lesley (August 4, 2014). "'Big Bang Theory' Trio Inks New Deals, Securing Hefty Pay Raises". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  13. Morgan, Hudson (September 2010). "Justify Her Love". CBS Watch.
  14. Galecki, Johnny (October 2015). "Meet The Plant Powered Stars of The Big Bang Theory". One Green Planet.
  15. "Johnny Galecki On Family & His Life Upstate 01/05/12 – Video @". Teamcoco.com. Retrieved March 4, 2012.

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