'Big Bang Theory' star Johnny Galecki ends seven-year break from acting

Johnny Galecki is set to return to acting after a seven-year break, with the former The Big Bang Theory star making his stage comeback in the upcoming Chicago production of Kowalski.

The Emmy-nominated actor, 51, recently announced on Instagram that he will star in the play this autumn, marking his first acting role since The Big Bang Theory concluded in 2019.

Looking back on his time away from the spotlight, Galecki said he had spent the past several years focusing on life away from the camera and raising his family.

“For the last seven years, I’ve been fortunate enough to spend more time living than performing,” he wrote. “It turns out those aren’t separate pursuits for me.”

He added that he was honoured to return to the stage in Chicago, the city where he began his acting career, portraying one of his literary heroes, Tennessee Williams, in Kowalski.

The announcement accompanied a Variety report detailing the production. Speaking to the publication, Galecki said the opportunity came together naturally.

“The planets aligned. Gregg’s writing, Colin’s vision, and the feeling that after seven years of quietly observing life, I finally had something new to bring back to the work,” he said. “Add to that the privilege of portraying one of my artistic heroes, and it became impossible to say no.”

Written by Gregg Ostrin and directed by Colin Hanlon, Kowalski will run as a limited engagement in Chicago from Sept. 19 to Oct. 25.

Galecki stepped away from acting after wrapping his role as Leonard Hofstadter on the hit CBS sitcom in 2019. Since then, he has largely stayed out of the public eye, focusing on family life with his wife, Morgan, daughter Oona Evelena, and son Avery Orbison from his previous relationship with Alaina Meyer.