Kaley Cuoco Says ‘Dad’ is Daughter Matilda’s Favorite Word (Exclusive)

Kaley Cuoco’s daughter loves her “dada”!

While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at An Evening from the Heart, a gala presented by The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health, on Thursday, May 9, Cuoco, 38, revealed her daughter Matilda, 1, was currently in Philadelphia with her dad, Tom Pelphrey, 41.

Pelphrey was meant to be co-hosting the event with Cuoco, but she explained that he’s been busy filming on the East Coast. However, the family will be reunited for Mother’s Day this weekend, and the Big Bang Theory actress can’t wait.

“Matilda is just the most special thing in the world. So I miss her a lot and I’ve been without her for a week so I’m ready to head back,” she said of their daughter.

Cuoco insisted Matilda loves spending time with her dad while he’s filming, joking: “‘Dad, dad,’ everything ‘Dad dad dad dad’… all she says is dad, dada.’ It’s her favorite frickin word. I’m like, ‘Do you know the word mama? Have you ever heard it?’ But it’s all ‘Dad. dad. dad.'”

During the conversation, the actress revealed more about her plans for the special holiday.

“I am going to go out there. I’m gonna go to the East Coast on Saturday and we’re going to spend Mother’s Day together,” Cuoco told PEOPLE at the event, which was held at Sunset Room Hollywood in Los Angeles to celebrate the life and legacy of Cuoco’s 8 Simple Rules costar John Ritter, who died in 2003 at age 54. 

“He actually flew home to see me last Mother’s Day so I’m going to be there and yeah, it’s really sweet,” Cuoco added of Pelphrey, who she’s been dating since early 2022.

The Flight Attendant star has previously spoken about Matilda being a daddy’s girl. Last month, she shared some adorable snaps of the family having a FaceTime call on her Instagram Stories.

“Family FaceTime but she only has eyes for dada,” Cuoco wrote alongside one sweet image showing Matilda and her dad looking at each other.

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Cuoco and Pelphrey celebrated their daughter’s first birthday on March 30. To mark the milestone, Cuoco shared a video montage on Instagram featuring snaps of Matilda through the months.

“🩷Matilda🩷 you are 1! Best year of our lives .. you are a gift from above and have brought the deepest perfect joy to our entire family!” she wrote in the caption.

“Dada and I love you more than we could possibly ever explain. I cannot wait to see who you become, but for now, please stay my precious 1 year old forever. 🩷🩷 @tommypelphrey thank you for being the best daddy (besides my own) the world has ever seen. She’s perfect.🩷,” Cuoco added.

“🎈Happy birthday, angel girl! 🎂,” she concluded.