Who Is Kaley Cuoco's Fiancé? All About 'Ozark' Actor Tom Pelphrey

Mar. 15, 2025

MeetTom Pelphrey!TheOzarkactor caught the attention of many when he was cast as Ben Davis in theEmmy Award-winning drama series for its third season — and since the critical acclaim that followed, the rising star’s list of acting credits is only getting longer.Prior to nabbing the role as Wendy Byrde’s brother on the Netflix hit, Pelphrey kicked off his professional acting career in 2004 when he was cast as Jonathan Randall onGuiding Light; he then played Mick Dante onAs the World Turnsin 2009.Several roles followed, but 2015 was a turning point for the actor, who picked up the recurring role of Kurt Bunker, a disturbed former Neo-Nazi seeking atonement, in the action cult-hit seriesBanshee.Cindy Ord/FilmMagicSince 2017, Pelphrey has had roles in major projects alongside A-list actors and directors alike. In addition toOzark, he costarred oppositeGary Oldmanas Joseph Mankiewicz, younger sibling toCitizen Kaneco-writer Herman Mankiewicz, inDavid Fincher’sMank.“I feel like I get to do the coolest job in the world,” Pelphrey toldVarietywhen he was included on the outlet’s “10 Actors to Watch” list in 2020.Monica Schipper/GettyPelphrey has also received buzz for his personal life. He andThe Flight Attendant’sKaley Cuococonfirmed their relationshipin May 2022. Soon after, the pair made theirfirst public appearancetogether at producer Greg Berlanti’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.In March 2023, Pelphrey and Cuoco welcomed their daughter,Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey. “My heart is full of love and gratitude for this miracle,” theIron Fistactor wrote on Instagram. The couplegot engagedin August 2024.From his acting career to being a dad, here’s everything you need to know about Tom Pelphrey.He studied Shakespeare in LondonSTEVE DIETL/NETFLIXPelphrey was born and raised in Howell, N.J., and fell in love with acting at age 14. He studied it at his performing arts high school and then at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.“I started drama school when I was 18,” Pelphrey toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “I had a still frame of Gary [Oldman] and Sean Penn fromState of Graceup on my wall” — which meant it was a “dream come true” to nab a role alongside Oldman inMank.During his time at Rutgers University, he had the opportunity to study Shakespeare at the Globe Theater in London.He was on BroadwayBrad Barket/GettyPelphrey isn’t just seen onscreen; he’s also had roles in two Broadway shows, in addition to a number of Off-Broadway productions.In 2012, the actor made his Broadway debut as Micky Deans inEnd of the Rainbow, a drama about Judy Garland’s final days. The show was nominated for several Tony Awards.He also appeared in Pulitzer Prize winnerSam Shepard’sFool for Loveon Broadway in 2015 alongsideNina AriandaandSam Rockwell.He co-founded a theater companyTommy Pelphrey/InstagramPrior to his Broadway successes, Pelphrey formed the Apothecary Theater Company alongside his friends and fellow Rutgers graduates in 2008.Serving as co-founder and art director, Pelphrey’s initiative was to give acting hopefuls the chance to pursue their passions for acting, producing and directing their own theatrical projects without having to deal with the often-frustrating audition grind.They producedIn God’s Hat, which received rave reviews and sold out its run. “Given that the laconic characters ofIn God’s Hatseldom waste their breath, it’s tempting to sum up the play with a single word: terrific,” reportedThe New York Timesin 2010.He goes all-in for auditionsNETFLIXPelphrey takes his job seriously and will go the extra mile (or hundreds of them) for a role. For instance, when the opportunity to audition for Fincher presented itself (forMank), the actor was in Atlanta filming forOzark.After initially meeting over FaceTime with Fincher, who was based in Los Angeles, Pelphrey took it upon himself to jet to California and meet with him and Oldman in person.“One of my weekends off fromOzark, I filmedOzarkuntil like 3 in the morning, but I had asked [casting director] Laray [Mayfield], ‘Do you think these guys would see me if I was there on Saturday?’ It’s hard to do Zoom acting,” Pelphrey toldThe Hollywood Reporter.He continued, “So they were kind enough to agree… So I flew to L.A. for a day from Atlanta to go meet with them, and it really made all the difference.“He added, “Getting to not only meet someone in person and be in the same room with them, but obviously playing the scenes off of Gary Oldman, is a whole different level. It makes you a better actor.“He is an award-winning actorMarc Bryan-Brown/WireImagePelphrey wasted no time following his college graduation, nabbing his first professional job on the long-running CBS daytime showGuiding Lightin 2004. Within the two and a half years he was on the program, he was nominated for four consecutive DaytimeEmmy Awards, and he won in 2006 and 2008.Pelphrey was also nominated for best supporting actor in a drama series at the 2021 Critics Choice Awards for his performance inOzark. Ozarkitself received six nominations that year.He announced his relationship with Cuoco in a romantic waykaleycuoco/InstagramAccompanying a series of PDA-filled photos on Instagram, Pelphrey publicly announced his relationship withBig Bang Theoryalum Cuoco with an incredibly romantic quote.“But nothing can save you. Not your friends, not the best Fred Astaire musical you’ve ever seen- the grace of it, not your mother’s beauty, not a line from a letter you find at the bottom of a drawer, not a magazine or the next day,” the quote goes.It continues, “Nothing can save you. And you stand in the moonlight and a sweetness comes off the top of the trees, and the fence around the yard seals you off from the dark and you can’t breathe. It is all so familiar and possible.It is too simple that there is this much good in the world and you don’t know how to have it. And it makes you wonder when it was you lost your place. Then you catch a breeze, so warm and ripe, it makes you hope that someone will come who also cannot save you, but who will think you are worth saving.“He spent seven months filming “in the middle of nowhere"Richard Foreman/Amazon Prime VideoOne of Pelphrey’s most recent projects filmed in the New Mexico wilderness, an opportunity that gave him and Prime Video’sOuter Rangecast the real-deal experience for almost an entire year (amid the pandemic).“It was intense and difficult and so beautiful,” Pelphrey toldEsquire. “Everybody really bonded and I think it was partly the circumstances. We’re out in New Mexico in the middle of nowhere, pre-vaccines.“Pelphrey plays Perry Abbott in the neo-Western mystery thriller, and — as the professional actor that he is — assumed the duties and responsibilities of a real-life cowboy to get into character.“We’re riding horses every day. Then, we go over to a huge field where they have 30 cattle and we’re literally learning how to drive cattle,” he added.He and Cuoco welcomed their first child together in March 2023Tom Pelphrey/InstagramMatilda Carmine Richie Pelphreywas born on March 30, 2023. The new parents announced the birth of their daughter on Instagram.“My heart is full of love and gratitude for this miracle. Eternally grateful for the strength and bravery of my soulmate and best friend @kaleycuoco. You are incredible,” Pelphrey captioned a series of images of the newborn.Two months later, Pelphrey spoke to PEOPLE about caring for his newborn, claiming he’s “the king of swaddling.““When we were in the hospital, any nurse who came in, I would videotape them doing the swaddle because everyone has a slightly different technique,” the actor said. “And I settled on one that works the best for me and I feel very good about my swaddling abilities.“In May 2024, Cuoco gushed about her “special” Matilda to PEOPLE and shared her daughter’s favorite word.“All she says is ‘dad, dada.’ It’s her favorite frickin word. I’m like, ‘Do you know the word mama? Have you ever heard it?’ But it’s all dad. Dad. Dad,” she jokingly said.He and Cuoco got engaged in 2024More than a year after Matilda was born, the couple got engaged. Cuoco shared the happy news with a black and white photo of her and Pelphrey (and her new ring) on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Awesome weekend.”

MeetTom Pelphrey!

TheOzarkactor caught the attention of many when he was cast as Ben Davis in theEmmy Award-winning drama series for its third season — and since the critical acclaim that followed, the rising star’s list of acting credits is only getting longer.

Prior to nabbing the role as Wendy Byrde’s brother on the Netflix hit, Pelphrey kicked off his professional acting career in 2004 when he was cast as Jonathan Randall onGuiding Light; he then played Mick Dante onAs the World Turnsin 2009.

Several roles followed, but 2015 was a turning point for the actor, who picked up the recurring role of Kurt Bunker, a disturbed former Neo-Nazi seeking atonement, in the action cult-hit seriesBanshee.

Cindy Ord/FilmMagic

Since 2017, Pelphrey has had roles in major projects alongside A-list actors and directors alike. In addition toOzark, he costarred oppositeGary Oldmanas Joseph Mankiewicz, younger sibling toCitizen Kaneco-writer Herman Mankiewicz, inDavid Fincher’sMank.

“I feel like I get to do the coolest job in the world,” Pelphrey toldVarietywhen he was included on the outlet’s “10 Actors to Watch” list in 2020.

Monica Schipper/Getty

Pelphrey has also received buzz for his personal life. He andThe Flight Attendant’sKaley Cuococonfirmed their relationshipin May 2022. Soon after, the pair made theirfirst public appearancetogether at producer Greg Berlanti’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

In March 2023, Pelphrey and Cuoco welcomed their daughter,Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphrey. “My heart is full of love and gratitude for this miracle,” theIron Fistactor wrote on Instagram. The couplegot engagedin August 2024.

From his acting career to being a dad, here’s everything you need to know about Tom Pelphrey.

He studied Shakespeare in London

STEVE DIETL/NETFLIX

Pelphrey was born and raised in Howell, N.J., and fell in love with acting at age 14. He studied it at his performing arts high school and then at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts.

“I started drama school when I was 18,” Pelphrey toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “I had a still frame of Gary [Oldman] and Sean Penn fromState of Graceup on my wall” — which meant it was a “dream come true” to nab a role alongside Oldman inMank.

During his time at Rutgers University, he had the opportunity to study Shakespeare at the Globe Theater in London.

He was on Broadway

Brad Barket/Getty

Pelphrey isn’t just seen onscreen; he’s also had roles in two Broadway shows, in addition to a number of Off-Broadway productions.

In 2012, the actor made his Broadway debut as Micky Deans inEnd of the Rainbow, a drama about Judy Garland’s final days. The show was nominated for several Tony Awards.

He also appeared in Pulitzer Prize winnerSam Shepard’sFool for Loveon Broadway in 2015 alongsideNina AriandaandSam Rockwell.

He co-founded a theater company

Tommy Pelphrey/Instagram

Prior to his Broadway successes, Pelphrey formed the Apothecary Theater Company alongside his friends and fellow Rutgers graduates in 2008.

Serving as co-founder and art director, Pelphrey’s initiative was to give acting hopefuls the chance to pursue their passions for acting, producing and directing their own theatrical projects without having to deal with the often-frustrating audition grind.

They producedIn God’s Hat, which received rave reviews and sold out its run. “Given that the laconic characters ofIn God’s Hatseldom waste their breath, it’s tempting to sum up the play with a single word: terrific,” reportedThe New York Timesin 2010.

He goes all-in for auditions

NETFLIX

Pelphrey takes his job seriously and will go the extra mile (or hundreds of them) for a role. For instance, when the opportunity to audition for Fincher presented itself (forMank), the actor was in Atlanta filming forOzark.

After initially meeting over FaceTime with Fincher, who was based in Los Angeles, Pelphrey took it upon himself to jet to California and meet with him and Oldman in person.

“One of my weekends off fromOzark, I filmedOzarkuntil like 3 in the morning, but I had asked [casting director] Laray [Mayfield], ‘Do you think these guys would see me if I was there on Saturday?’ It’s hard to do Zoom acting,” Pelphrey toldThe Hollywood Reporter.

He continued, “So they were kind enough to agree… So I flew to L.A. for a day from Atlanta to go meet with them, and it really made all the difference.”

He added, “Getting to not only meet someone in person and be in the same room with them, but obviously playing the scenes off of Gary Oldman, is a whole different level. It makes you a better actor.”

He is an award-winning actor

Marc Bryan-Brown/WireImage

Pelphrey wasted no time following his college graduation, nabbing his first professional job on the long-running CBS daytime showGuiding Lightin 2004. Within the two and a half years he was on the program, he was nominated for four consecutive DaytimeEmmy Awards, and he won in 2006 and 2008.

Pelphrey was also nominated for best supporting actor in a drama series at the 2021 Critics Choice Awards for his performance inOzark. Ozarkitself received six nominations that year.

He announced his relationship with Cuoco in a romantic way

kaleycuoco/Instagram

Accompanying a series of PDA-filled photos on Instagram, Pelphrey publicly announced his relationship withBig Bang Theoryalum Cuoco with an incredibly romantic quote.

“But nothing can save you. Not your friends, not the best Fred Astaire musical you’ve ever seen- the grace of it, not your mother’s beauty, not a line from a letter you find at the bottom of a drawer, not a magazine or the next day,” the quote goes.

It continues, “Nothing can save you. And you stand in the moonlight and a sweetness comes off the top of the trees, and the fence around the yard seals you off from the dark and you can’t breathe. It is all so familiar and possible.

It is too simple that there is this much good in the world and you don’t know how to have it. And it makes you wonder when it was you lost your place. Then you catch a breeze, so warm and ripe, it makes you hope that someone will come who also cannot save you, but who will think you are worth saving.”

He spent seven months filming “in the middle of nowhere”

Richard Foreman/Amazon Prime Video

One of Pelphrey’s most recent projects filmed in the New Mexico wilderness, an opportunity that gave him and Prime Video’sOuter Rangecast the real-deal experience for almost an entire year (amid the pandemic).

“It was intense and difficult and so beautiful,” Pelphrey toldEsquire. “Everybody really bonded and I think it was partly the circumstances. We’re out in New Mexico in the middle of nowhere, pre-vaccines.”

Pelphrey plays Perry Abbott in the neo-Western mystery thriller, and — as the professional actor that he is — assumed the duties and responsibilities of a real-life cowboy to get into character.

“We’re riding horses every day. Then, we go over to a huge field where they have 30 cattle and we’re literally learning how to drive cattle,” he added.

He and Cuoco welcomed their first child together in March 2023

Tom Pelphrey/Instagram

Matilda Carmine Richie Pelphreywas born on March 30, 2023. The new parents announced the birth of their daughter on Instagram.

“My heart is full of love and gratitude for this miracle. Eternally grateful for the strength and bravery of my soulmate and best friend @kaleycuoco. You are incredible,” Pelphrey captioned a series of images of the newborn.

Two months later, Pelphrey spoke to PEOPLE about caring for his newborn, claiming he’s “the king of swaddling.”

“When we were in the hospital, any nurse who came in, I would videotape them doing the swaddle because everyone has a slightly different technique,” the actor said. “And I settled on one that works the best for me and I feel very good about my swaddling abilities.”

In May 2024, Cuoco gushed about her “special” Matilda to PEOPLE and shared her daughter’s favorite word.

“All she says is ‘dad, dada.’ It’s her favorite frickin word. I’m like, ‘Do you know the word mama? Have you ever heard it?’ But it’s all dad. Dad. Dad,” she jokingly said.

He and Cuoco got engaged in 2024

More than a year after Matilda was born, the couple got engaged. Cuoco shared the happy news with a black and white photo of her and Pelphrey (and her new ring) on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Awesome weekend.”

source: people.com