Big Bang Theory's Cuoco gets Walk of Fame star

LOS ANGELES - You could say the occasion was a big bang.

The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco was joined by fellow cast members from the hit TV sitcom as she received a star on Hollywood's storied Walk of Fame.

Jim Parsons (Sheldon), Johnny Galecki (Leonard), Simon Helberg (Howard) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj), as well as the show's co-creator, Chuck Lorre, were on hand for the star-unveiling ceremony on Tinseltown's famous sidewalk.

"This cast has changed my life in many ways," said the 28-year-old, who plays Penny in the series, which has been running since 2007 and is in its eighth season.

As crowds gathered for the morning ceremony, Lorre said: "We laugh a lot (doing the show). This is a testament to the hard work and the dedication and the joy of doing something we love."

Big Bang averaged about 20 million viewers an episode last season, making it the most-watched comedy in America.

Earlier this year, the three main stars of the sitcom reportedly reached lucrative new pay deals, ending a delay to the start of production on the show's latest season.

Emmy winner Parsons, along with co-stars Galecki and Cuoco, roughly tripled their salaries and will now be earning about US$1 million (S$1.3 million) an episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

The trio signed three-year deals, meaning they will stay with Big Bang through its 10th season, the industry journals said.

Cuoco was accompanied by her tennis-player husband, Ryan Sweeting, at Wednesday's ceremony.