No, Penny from “The Big Bang Theory” doesn't have a Ben & Teller Bunny last name. The popular CBS sitcom ended five years ago, but some fans of the series are still trying to figure out Kaley Cuoco's character's real name. In 2022, a fan theory went viral claiming that Penny's last name was Teller, (per TV Line) in a Season 2 episode where a prop delivery box had that last name in tiny, illegible font. Unfortunately, the show's former executive producer and prop master was quick to put that point to rest, with many involved with the series agreeing that Penny doesn't have a last name by design.
“His last name is Teller, which is completely non-canon,” EP Steve Molaro told TVLine at the time, explaining that the name was only used for prop reasons and that the show's writers' room and producers “didn't give permission for it.” We didn't write it, we didn't put it there on purpose.”
Scott London, who handled the props for the show, says series co-creator Bill Brody gave him the name, but it wasn't canon or even seen on camera. “It's not going to be seen, and I'm committed to the Scott type of visual format that requires it,” Brady told the outlet. “But, sure enough, Benny's last name isn't Teller. I don't know what that picture of the shipping label looked like, and the fans were able to see it and make it.”
Penny never had a formal last name, period
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the label in the Season 2 episode “The Work Song Nanocluster,” when Penny began making flower barrettes under the small business name of Blossoms. The box contained some of his handiwork, but it was the shipping label, not the contents, that got fans excited. For London's part, he says, the last name should be added to the label. “I mean, you can't ask Penny to send it without a last name!” Although the show continued, the absence of the girl-next-door's last name was a bit of a bummer, and by the time she married Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) several seasons later, it was conspicuously absent from the ceremony.
“The point is, she doesn't have the last name we assigned her … we're never going to make it up,” Molaro told TVLine. “Even when she and Leonard were married, we listened and corrected her [last] There will be a name.”
Of course, the idea of a female character who isn't given a full name until she's married to a man has rubbed some people the wrong way, especially given the show's questionable track record with women. “Your name is part of who you are, and it feels unfair to rob someone, especially since Benny has taken the brunt of so many sexist jokes and tropes over the years,” Kelly Schremp wrote. A piece for Bustle in 2019.
If you thought that was sexist, wait until you hear about the rest of the show
“The Big Bang Theory” initially treated Penny as a female robot rather than a human woman, and its early seasons often used the objectifying, misogynistic tendencies of '80s movies about nerds and hot girls. The show also used an insufferable character type dubbed the “darkable misogynist” by the pop culture detective. As the site says, “Submissive misogynists are male characters whose unattractive version of masculinity is crafted to be comically pathetic, but still endearing. Their status as vulgar 'good guys' then keeps them off the widespread hook. Creepy, entitled and sexist behaviors.”
For her part, Cuoco was mostly positive about the show's decision not to give Penny a last name.” It is a personal matter,” he said. told CBS News in 2017. “It feels like a jinx. We haven't said that in so long. If I say that, I feel like the world will explode.” She said something similar at the show's 2019 wrap party, telling TVLine, “I love it. [we’ll never know her last name].” In a separate interview a year ago, Cuoco told The Talk (via E! News) that she did Wanted to know Penny's name, but she seemed to be joking.
Molaro also points out that the show's crew saw Benny's last name as a kind of jinx. The Hollywood Reporter quoted him as saying, “[Eventually] We were nervous and superstitious about giving her one at the WonderCon panel five years ago. Until she takes her husband's — giving us Ike, perhaps because it's symbolic of the big issues with the show's depictions of women who aren't so easy to catch. Throughout its run, the show tackled real issues faced by women such as gender stereotyping, objectification, consent issues, stalking, unplanned pregnancy-gendered domestic roles and plenty of sexual harassment. Love it or hate the show's writing decisions, but when it comes to questions for “The Big Bang Theory” writers, Benny's last name isn't at the top of the list.
