What to Know About Kaley Cuoco's Ex-Husband Karl Cook
- - What to Know About Kaley Cuoco's Ex-Husband Karl Cook
Emily Weaver, Nicole PomaricoFebruary 10, 2026 at 12:51 AM
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Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Kaley Cuoco first met equestrian Karl Cook in 2016 at a horse show
The couple married two years later on June 30, 2018, and split in 2021
Cook is an equestrian and grew up riding horses
Nearly five years after Kaley Cuoco and equestrian Karl Cook got divorced, the actress spoke out about the impact their split had on her mental health.
During an appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast in February 2026, Cuoco said immediately after their divorce, she felt like she "blew up" her life.
The couple dated for two years before tying the knot in June 2018. In September 2021, Cuoco filed for divorce from Cook after three years of marriage. In a joint statement, the former couple told PEOPLE that they were going in "opposite directions."
Nearly two years later, Cook announced his engagement to entrepreneur and mental health advocate Mackenzie Drazan. They married in 2024 while Cuoco got engaged to Tom Pelphrey the same year. The actress and Pelphrey welcomed a daughter named Matilda in in 2023.
So, who is Kaley Cuoco's ex-husband? Here's everything to know about Karl Cook.
He's an accomplished equestrian
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook Rachel Murray/Getty
Cook has been around horses his whole life and began riding competitively at 8 years old.
According to EQ Living, he had a very successful junior career, winning multiple championships. After a few disappointing seasons, however, Cook almost walked away from the sport altogether, but instead decided to head to Normandy in 2012 to train with French Olympic medalist Eric Navet.
Things started to shift after he began working with Navet and competing with his horse Caillou.
"I think Caillou has had more of an effect on my riding," Cook told EQ Living. "We've had a lot of good, and less good, experiences in our years together. I think he's 13 or 14 now, and I got him when he was seven. I've had him for a long time. He's pushed me to revisit the things you think you know."
He met Cuoco at a horse show
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook Steve Granitz/WireImage
Cuoco and Cook's paths first crossed at a 2016 equestrian event. "I was already involved with horses, then we happened to meet at a horse show," Cuoco recalled to PEOPLE in September 2019.
She added that their keen interest in animals is what brought them together. "We share so much love for animals — we love horses and we love the sport," she said.
"I think anyone who works with animals has to have a kind soul," the actress told PEOPLE. "It's almost like he's the horse whisperer. He is just wonderful with them. It's really beautiful to see that patience he has with them ... he's so gentle."
He got along with Cuoco's ex (and costar) Johnny Galecki
Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Cook went to visit Cuoco on the set of The Big Bang Theory, and ended up leaving with a new pal: Johnny Galecki, Cuoco's on-screen husband and real-life ex-boyfriend. She shared the funny moment on Instagram.
"Ummmmmm then this happened," Cuoco wrote under a photo of Cook and Galecki cuddling together on set. "@sanctionedjohnnygalecki get off my man! 😂."
Galecki also attended the couple's wedding a year later.
He and Cuoco tied the knot in 2018 at a horse stable
Cuoco and Cook got engaged on Nov. 30, 2017. Less than a year later, they said "I do" on June 30, 2018, at a horse stable near San Diego. Their outdoor wedding had only close friends and family in attendance. They also chose to write their own wedding vows.
The pair's dog, Norman, requested that "in lieu of human gifts," wedding guests bring animal-friendly presents that could be donated to a local animal rescue organization.
"Wow did everyone come through!!! Unbelievable donations and gifts for our 4 legged friends. Thank you to everyone, what an incredible turn out! We feel so blessed and happy," she wrote, in part.
He and Cuoco split in 2021
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook Presley Ann/FilmMagic
Cuoco filed for divorce from Cook in Los Angeles Superior Court on Sept. 3, 2021. They publicly announced their split that same day.
"Despite a deep love and respect for one another, we have realized that our current paths have taken us in opposite directions," the pair said in a joint statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE.
The statement went on to say: "We have both shared so much of our journey publicly so while we would prefer to keep this aspect of our personal life private, we wanted to be forthcoming in our truth together. There is no anger or animosity, quite the contrary."
"We have made this decision together through an immense amount of respect and consideration for one another and request that you do the same in understanding that we will not be sharing any additional details or commenting further," they concluded.
Cuoco and Cook's divorce was finalized on June 15, 2022. In August, Cuoco revealed that she sought support while filming season 2 of The Flight Attendant as she processed her split from Cook.
"Going through my divorce, it was really a super dark time," she said, explaining that she was emotionally triggered by her character Cassie's arc on the show. "I just didn't know how to deal with it. I was throwing myself into work to deny my depression, and how upset I was. Unfortunately, the character was so depressed that it wasn't helping me! I was really, really, really struggling. A lot of tears."
Cuoco also said that the period while she was going through her divorce "was the loneliest I've ever felt, and I am not really someone to share that. I've been very open about it, because I think for the first time, I wanted people to know that things just aren't always what they seem. And things aren't always so perfect."
He and Cuoco maintain an amicable relationship
Kaley Cuoco and Karl Cook Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Although they're no longer romantically together, Cuoco still supports Cook on social media. The Big Bang Theory star left several red hearts and praise hand emojis on an Instagram post of Cook winning first place at the Traverse City Horse Shows in September 2021.
When Cook shared the exciting news on his own Instagram account, Cuoco commented, "Congrats you, this was amazing 👏❤️🔥."
He married Mackenzie Drazan in 2024
Cook proposed to Drazan in June 2023 — nearly two years after splitting from Cuoco. The famous equestrian announced the big news on Instagram.
“No jokes or witty comments, just deep happiness and love,” Cook wrote on Instagram alongside a selfie with his future wife. “I love you so much @mackenziedrazan I am so sorry you have chosen to spend a lot more time with me.”
In a separate post, Drazan said: "(YES!!! ^ ♾️)* ♾️ !!! @mrtankcook Still pinching myself! I love you forever!" The couple married in 2024.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
