Kaley Cuoco Almost Had Her Leg Amputated After Horrific Horse-Riding Accident Left Her Crippled While Filming Big Bang Theory
Actress Kaley Cuoco, best known for her role as Penny in the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory, is considered one of the industry’s talented actors, having established an ardent fan base over the years.
The actress is well-liked by viewers for her performances of a variety of characters on television, including Cassie Bowden in HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, for which she has won praise from critics. The audience and critics responded favorably to the dark comedy-mystery thriller. However, did you know that competitive horse jumper and enthusiast Kaley Cuoco nearly lost her leg?
Kaley Cuoco opened up about the time she almost lost her leg
During an appearance on Apple’s Smartless Podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, Kaley Cuoco revealed the time she nearly lost her leg. She told the hosts,
“It was a bad accident, it was a very bad accident. I remember clear as day because it takes a second when something is that bad. I was like, ‘Did I just fall on a whole thing of leaves?’ Because I heard all the cracking. … It took me like five or 10 seconds to actually realize it wasn’t just 400 leaves, it was my bones.”
The actress shared that back in 2010 she was riding at a Los Angeles ranch when her horse got spooked and she fell off. The horse attempted to jump over her but landed on her left leg and the actress was rushed to the emergency room with severe injuries, including a compound fracture of her tibia and fibula which caused the bones to pierce through the skin of her lower leg.
Cuoco continued,
“It was just a horrible, horrible, horrible break.”
The actress, who was written off for two episodes from the show, underwent surgery but had to sign a release, which allowed the authorities to amputate her leg if needed before going into the surgery. Fortunately, they were able to save her leg.
On her surgery and recovery, she said it was miraculous, adding that she has got some good scars which makes her feel badass. Cuoco was filmed only from the waist up standing behind the bar counter acting as a bartender rather than her usual waitress job after she came back.
Johnny Galecki and Chuck Lorre talk about Kaley Cuoco’s accident
In the oral book, The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, series creator Chuck Lorre and co-star Johnny Galecki opened up about the actress’ accident. Lorre described Cucoco’s accident as the darkest, most frightening time in the show’s 12-year run. He says via People,
“Kaley could have lost her leg. It was a series of miracles that allowed us to get through that and for her to come out the other end of that healthy.”
Cuoco said that everything ended up fine and she was up and working a week later, but the doctors acted as if she was never going to walk again. She said,
“It’s still too much for me to go into, and it sounded way worse than it was. And of course, it was spiraling and everyone was freaking out, which I get. It scared people.”
Her co-star Johnny Galecki, who plays Leonard on the show, added,
“But I think it scared people in a good way, myself included. The first day I saw you in that state, I just shed tears in my garage.”
Chuck Lorre says that every time he runs into Dr. Stephen Lombardo, who operated on Kaley’s leg, says thank you to him for saving Kaley and, on a lesser level, saving The Big Bang Theory.
