These two Hollywood stars have been co-stars, lovers, and close friends. Together, they have traversed the ups and downs of the industry and maintained a friendship that is admirable. Find out how their friendship evolved and how he supported her when she disclosed her sexuality.
The actress visits BuzzFeed’s “AM To DM” on September 19, 2019 in New York | Source: Getty Images
These two iconic Hollywood stars have been friends for a long time and could be described as friendship goals going by how close they are. They met when they played lovebirds Darlene Conner and David Healy during the original run of the famous show “Roseanne.” Their role on the show made them even closer.
Since then, they have gone on to star in many popular television shows. For instance, the actor starred as Dr. Leonard Hofstadter on “The Big Bang Theory” and worked as an executive producer on “Living Biblically.”
The actor at the World Premiere of ‘Bounce’ at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, circa 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, the actress created the daytime talk show “The Talk” and has starred in several TV series like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Living Biblically,” where she reunited with her former costar. Find out more about the former co-stars, their relationship, and how their friendship evolved to what it is today.
The Actress’ Career Rise
On January 29, 1975, the actress was born to Jewish parents Barbara Cowan and Harold Abeles. She has four older half-siblings, some of whom are also in entertainment and starred in “Little House on the Prairie.”
Influenced by her siblings, the actress also wanted to get into acting. As a kid, she appeared in TV movies like “Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang,” “Runaway Ralph,” and “Poison Ivy” in 1982, 1988, and 1992, respectively.
At 13, she got to play the character Darlene Conner in “Roseanne” and starred in the show throughout its nine-year run. The pair’s characters were boyfriend and girlfriend before eventually becoming a married couple on “Roseanne.” Thus, they bonded with each other and became friends.
She said she thought he was super cute and admitted to having a crush on him, and then their relationship started. Eventually, they started dating, and the actress opened up about her relationship with the actor during a September 2013 episode of “The Talk.” She said per Us Weekly:
“So, some of you may know that when I was a teenager, I dated […]for a little while, who played my boyfriend and husband on Roseanne.”
Opening up about Her Feelings
During the “The Talk” episode, the actress revealed that after she and the actor started dating, they would make out whenever he came over. However, she would get depressed afterward.
The stars on an episode of “Roseanne,” circa 1991 | Source: Getty Images
Her depressive feelings after making out with him bothered him a lot, and he started taking it personally though he did not know what was going on. Still, the actress discovered she was lesbian and eventually opened up about it. She revealed:
“So I eventually told him that I thought it was about my sexuality and he was super sweet about it.”
The actress poses for a picture for the premiere of Season 9 of the Emmy Award-winning show “The Talk” on September 10, 2018 in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
Johnny Galecki’s Amazing Support for Sara Gilbert
Sara Gilbert must have feared the worst outcome after opening up to Johnny Galecki about her sexuality, but to her surprise, he was supportive.
She revealed that she trusted him with her secret, and he never betrayed her by letting it out, even though she feared the backlash she would receive if she came out.
Sara Gilbert and Johnny Galecki attend the Sean Penn J/P HRO gala at Wiltern Theatre on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
She further said his support for her has not waned since then. She told him of her plan to discuss her sexuality and his connection to it on “The Talk.” She revealed:
“I called him and I just said, ‘Is it okay — I’m thinking of talking about this. The story sort of starts with you. And I’ve got to say I made out with you and got depressed, which is kind of a bummer.'”
Sara Gilbert at the Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd and Vivi Nevo Host 10th Anniversary Gala Benefiting CORE on January 15, 2020 in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
Galecki had no issues with Sara Gilbert discussing the matter on “The Talk” and even offered to be with her while she did it. She described Galecki’s support as being sweet and concluded that her story made him look good. Gilbert revealed:
“He was like, ‘Of course. I love you, and I think it’s really important and I’m so proud of you. If you want, I will be there, and I will hold your hand.'”
Actors Sara Gilbert (L) and Johnny Galecki attend the CBS Comedies’ Season Premiere Party at Area September 17, 2008 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Gilbert’s Life after Coming Out
Gilbert officially came out as a lesbian in July 2010, a while before the launch of her talk show, “The Talk.” Before then, she had shied away from discussing her sexuality publicly though many people already knew about it.
In 2001, she got involved with TV producer Ali Adler. Gilbert and Adler share two children — son Levi Hank, born to Adler, and daughter Sawyer Jane, born to Gilbert.
Sara Gilbert on set of ABC’s “The Conners” in 2021 | Source: Getty Images
In 2011, Gilbert and Adler split but said they still had much love for each other. In November 2011, Gilbert announced she was dating former 4 Non-Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry on an episode of “The Talk.”
Gilbert and Perry got engaged in 2013 and tied the knot in March 2014 in an intimate ceremony in Malibu, California. So many of the couple’s friends and family graced the wedding, which had so much music involved.
On February 28, 2015, Gilbert became a mother of three children after giving birth to her and Perry’s first child, a son named Rhodes Emilio.
Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry at the 18th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on June 01, 2019 in Brentwood | Source: Getty Images
Gilbert is a dedicated mom and family woman and announced in 2019 that she was leaving “The Talk” to focus on her family and other career opportunities.
On December 27, 2019, Gilbert filed for legal separation from Perry after five years of marriage. Their divorce was finalized in October 2019, two years after their split.
Friends through Thick and Thin
Although Gilbert has experienced several changes in her lifetime, one thing that has remained constant is her friendship with Galecki. The former co-stars maintain an incredible bond and even have plenty of sweet nicknames for each other as a sign of their closeness.
Actors Sara Gilbert and Johnny Galecki, circa 1993 | Source: Getty Images
Gilbert and Galecki are total BFF goals because of how long their friendship has lasted and how they continue to support each other in their careers and personal struggles.
They are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and have shared so many memorable moments over the years. In addition, they have indescribable chemistry that even lovers would marvel at.
Actors Sara Gilbert and Johnny Galecki backstage at the 6th Annual TV Land Awards held at Barker Hangar on June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
Sara Gilbert and Galecki’s rare friendship is great to see. One can only hope that they continue to be there for each other and experience more growth in their careers and personal lives.