Leonard Hofstadter

Leonard Leakey Hofstadter (born May 1980) is a character on the CBS television series The Big Bang Theory. He is portrayed by Johnny Galecki.

Leonard is a Caltech experimental physicist from New Jersey. He lives in an apartment with best friend and colleague Sheldon Cooper. They live in the same apartment as Penny, who lives across the hallway and later becomes Leonard's girlfriend.. Leonard is described as the straight man of the series. Although is somewhat socially inept, he would like to be better accepted outside of his social group. He is often seen as the leader of the group, with Sheldon saying how Leonard is the "Kirk" of the group.