Kaley Cuoco (The Big BangTheory's Penny) recently shared on Instagram that she’s romantically linked to Ozark actor Tom Pelphrey. Fans of both The Big Bang Theory and Ozark were thrilled about their connection, but some fans still have an issue separating Cuoco from her The Big Bang Theory character Penny and Penny's marriage to Leonard.

Penny’s relationship with Leonard was an ongoing subplot that added constant drama to the series. As different as the two were (with Penny being a free-thinker and Leonard being analytical), they made a great pair and one of the best couples in the series. However, some fans felt Leonard was lucky to have Penny, while Penny was lucky to have Leonard.

Penny Was Lucky To Be With Leonard

Penny Eventually Became Incredibly Successful And Self-Sufficient

Penny interviewing for a job in TBBT

Penny wasn't smarter than the guys but she did have smart moments because she was inspired by Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj. Ever the realist, Leonard was honest with Penny and reminded her often that her acting career wasn't going to last forever and there was going to be a time when she'd have to get a job that paid her bills.

RELATED: 15 Times Penny Was Smarter Than The Guys

Without Leonard's logical reminders, who's to say if Penny would have taken the plunge in pharmaceutical sales. Penny needed someone to be real with her instead of ignoring reality, which is what Leonard did. She was lucky to have him or else she would have still been at waitressing at The Cheesecake Factory in season 12.

Leonard Made Penny Think Deeper About The World

Leonard and Penny talking in the lab on TBBT

Stuart Bloom said it best when he said, "I feel like you guys make each other better. Penny brought Leonard out of [his] shell. Seems like Leonard makes Penny think more deeply about the world." While the gang didn't always treat Stuart like a real friend, he saw Leonard and Penny's relationship for what it was.

Penny was used to men using her for her beauty, and while Leonard's obsession with her good looks was noted in most episodes, he also inspired her to think deeper about life. Although Penny didn't understand science, he opened the door of possibilities for her that got her out of a shell.

Penny's Parents Loved Leonard

Penny's dad watching Leonard and Penny kiss on TBBT

Penny wasn't used to her parents accepting her boyfriends over the years so when she dated Leonard, her dad was ecstatic that she found someone smart and capable. When Penny and Leonard broke up, she didn't have the heart to tell her dad right away because he adored Leonard so much. Because of this, she was lucky to have him because it made her parents proud of her decisions while in Las Angeles.

When Penny and Leonard's relationship timeline eventually took them to the altar, no one was more excited than Penny's parents, which in turn, thrilled Penny.

He Helped Her Financially When She Was Down On Her Luck

Sheldon and Leonard giving Penny food in the pilot of TBBT

Without Leonard's help, it's hard to say if Penny's storyline would have been prevalent in TBBT. As a down-on-her-luck actress who worked at The Cheesecake Factory to pay rent, Penny was often short on cash.

RELATED: 9 Penny Storylines That Make No Sense On TBBT

She also wasn't the smartest with money. She lent her ex-boyfriend over $1,000 and never demanded him to pay her back when she didn't have the funds to pay for her electricity. She also spent money on clothes and shoes instead of on food. Without Leonard paying for her share at dinner or lending her money here and there, Penny would have probably been homeless.

Without Leonard, She Never Would Have Met Her New Group Of Friends

The group of friends celebrating Christmas on TBBT

Penny was lucky to have Leonard in her life because he introduced her to her family away from home: Sheldon, Howard, Raj, Amy, and Bernadette.

When fans first met Penny, she was seen with friends who were never to be seen again, but it was presumed the friendships were more surface-based. With Leonard's group of friends, they genuinely cared for each other and took care of Penny when she needed it. She, in return, treated them like family and helped them when they were in need. Without her group of friends, Penny may have never matured.

Leonard Was Lucky To Be With Penny

She Had The Social Smarts That Leonard Didn't Have

Penny teaches Howard how to gut a fish on The Big Bang Theory

This is not to say that Leonard didn't have "street smarts," per se, but Penny was the social genius while Leonard was the scientific one. She taught the group about fishing, pop culture, how to treat women, and common sense when it came to dating.

Because of their difference in upbringings, Penny brought Leonard down to Earth. Leonard grew up in a life of privilege where his struggles were only in the form of his mother-son relationship. While some thought Penny got worse and worse throughout the series, she humbled Leonard thanks to her farm-life background.

Penny Worked On Her Commitment Issues And Worked On Herself For Their Relationship

Amy and Penny at home for a sleepover on TBBT

Leonard was lucky that Penny dug deep and worked on herself for the sake of their relationship. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have stayed with him after she found out she cheated on him. When Penny found out that Leonard kissed another girl, she knew that regardless of what he did, she was in love with him and knew their relationship was strong.

RELATED: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Leonard And Penny's Relationship

Leonard was lucky that Penny was confident enough to get through that rough patch in their relationship or she would have been the one that got away. Many didn't think Leonard and Penny's relationship made sense after Leonard's mistake, but Penny knew their love was worth fighting for.

She Handled Sheldon When Leonard Couldn't

Penny pins Sheldon to the ground in The Big Bang Theory

Sheldon and Penny had one of the best friendships on TBBT. Without Penny, it's hard to say if Sheldon would have opened up in so many ways. Since Leonard and Sheldon were roommates, whoever dated Leonard had to accept and appreciate Sheldon for who he was.

Sheldon didn't like many people and this included many of Leonard's girlfriends. Penny was the exception to every rule and he enjoyed her company more than Leonard's. Penn

Leonard's Judgey & Particular Mother Adored Penny

Penny and Leonard talking to Beverly at home on TBBT

Beverly Hofstadter and Leonard did not have the best of relationships. Even though Beverly was a woman of science as well, she didn't always respect Leonard's career or decisions. Regardless of all of the accomplishments Leonard achieved, she never gave him the acceptance he craved.

The one thing that Beverly did approve of was Penny. Even though Beverly was particular and judgemental, she appreciated Penny's honest candor. She was refreshing and unlike anyone she ever met before. For Leonard, he was thankful to be with someone his mother approved of.

Penny Encouraged Leonard To Speak Up For Himself & To Do More For His Career

The Escape Hatch Identification - Penny and Leonard on the couch on TBBT

One of Leonard's best character arcs was the way he matured at the end of the series, and that was thanks to Penny. When Caltech allowed Leonard to be in charge of approving or denying grants for projects, he was on a slight power trip because he finally had a say in what happened at the university.

Penny encouraged Leonard to speak up more, voice his opinions, and take charge of his work life if he wasn't satisfied. He may have not won a Nobel like Sheldon or Amy did, but he did get some confidence for speaking his mind, thanks to Penny's advice.

NEXT: The Main Characters On TBBT, Ranked Worst–Best Character Arc