In the finale episode of The Big Bang Theory, Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) revealed they were expecting a baby (Picture: Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images)
A touching moment in the finale episode of The Big Bang Theory has been revealed to be a secret tribute to Johnny Galecki’s unborn son.
Back in 2019, the conclusion of the long-running series wrapped up with characters Leonard (played by Galecki) and Penny (played by Kaley Cuoco) sharing that they were expecting their first baby together.
But now, a new book has divulged that a moment in that scene also acknowledged that Galecki was also about to become a father himself.
In The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, which was written by Jessica Radloff and released today, Galecki said that what was unfolding on screen was in parallel with what was happening in his personal life.
He said that, when filming the finale, he and his then-girlfriend Alaina Meyer were expecting their first baby together.
‘That was mirroring what my life was at that point, too, with my hand on Kaley’s stomach in the last scene of the show,’ Galecki was quoted as saying in the book.
Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco previously dated (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
‘That was a little something for my son, [Avery] Orbison, who wasn’t born yet, to see a little later in his life.
‘I asked Kaley if it was OK if I did that, and she smiled at me, knowing exactly why I was doing that, because that’s a little salute to him that will be forever.’
Although they dated for two years before their romance ended in 2010, the co-stars have remained friends, and Cuoco said filming that scene was also a special moment for her.
Johnny Galecki with his son Avery (Picture: Johnny Galecki/ Instagram)
‘To then end it like that, [this time] sitting next to Leonard and him touching Penny’s stomach… it was the perfect cap,’ she said.
‘I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.’
Six months after the finale aired, Galecki welcomed his son with Meyer, however the couple later split in November 2020.
Aside from this insight, the book also details plenty of other on and off-screen action that unfolded on the set of the comedy series, including how sparks first flew between Galecki and Cuoco.
Today, Cuoco also announced that she was expecting her first child, a girl, with boyfriend Tom Pelphrey.
Posting to Instagram, she shared several snaps of them eating a cake with pink icing, holding a baby grow and Polaroid photos of pregnancy tests, as well as her growing bump.
The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is out now.
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A touching moment in the finale episode of The Big Bang Theory has been revealed to be a tribute to Johnny Galecki’s unborn son.