Young Sheldon cast: All actors & characters

With Season 7 now in full swing, here’s everything you need to know about the Young Sheldon cast, including the actors and the characters they play.

If there’s one sitcom that has stuck around a lot longer than people expected, it’s CBS’ Young Sheldon. The 2017 comedy and The Big Bang Theory prequel sitcom series watched its titular character grow up amongst a lively Texan family.

The show is concluding with its seventh season, so fans are hyped about when and where they can watch it… but they may also be reminiscing about what has come before.

This includes many eccentric characters in the Young Sheldon cast — and being a sitcom, there’s been a lot. Here’s who you need to know, and who you may have forgotten.

Contents

• Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper & Jim Parsons as Adult Sheldon
• Zoe Perry as Mary Cooper
• Lance Barber as George Cooper Sr.
• Raegan Revord as Missy Cooper
• Montana Jordan as George “Georgie” Cooper Jr.
• Annie Potts as Connie Tucker/Meemaw
• Emily Osment as Mandy McAllister
• Wallace Shawn as Professor John Sturgis
• Ed Begley Jr. as Dr. Gant Linkletter
• Matt Hobby as Pastor Jeff
• Wyatt McClure as Billy Sparks
• Melissa Peterman as Brenda Sparks
• Billy Gardell as Herschel Sparks
• Ryan Phuong as Tam Nguyen
• Other notable characters in Young Sheldon

Sheldon Cooper & Adult Sheldon: Iain Armitage & Jim Parsons

CBS

Young Sheldon is considered a child prodigy, showing a lot of the traits he had in the original Big Bang sitcom. At the same time, Sheldon is still a little boy at heart, needing his spaghetti and hot dogs cut up by Mary, and some typically tough love from Meemaw.

In Season 7, Sheldon heads to Germany in the hopes of strengthening his college application, where he quickly learns that is isn’t as smart as he originally thought. Back at home, he’s set to start his journey to Caltech.

Iain Armitage has appeared in Big Little Shots, Big Little Lies, Scoob! and PAW Patrol: The Movie. Meanwhile, Jim Parsons can be seen in Hidden Figures, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and The Boys In The Band.

Mary Cooper: Zoe Perry

CBS

Mary Cooper is Sheldon’s mom and a devout Southern Baptist. She is definitely a Mama Bear and has a soft spot for Sheldon due to everything that makes him different. This now extends to her granddaughter Cece, frequently butting heads with her other grandma Audrey when it comes to her upbringing.

She’s at the center of an affair scandal in Season 7, with Sheldon growing up believing that his dad cheated during her teenage years. After their trip to Germany, it was revealed that the other woman was actually Mary dressed up in a wig and dirndl she’d brought back for George.

Zoe Perry also shows up in Roseanne, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and NCIS.

George Cooper Sr.: Lance Barber

CBS

George is Sheldon’s dad, though there is quite a bit of mis-continuity between this spin-off and The Big Bang Theory. George isn’t how we are initially told he is, as he is a hard-working family man rather than an abusive deadbeat. If beer and brisket are there, so is George.

However, Season 7 isn’t the easiest time for George. While the series started off strong, his death is imminent, likely closing out the final episodes before the end. There’s still plenty of speculation, but creators have confirmed it will be touched on.

Lance Barber appears in The Comeback, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Black-ish, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Gilmore Girls. He also played bully Jimmy Speckerman in The Big Bang Theory.

Missy Cooper: Raegan Revord

CBS

Missy Cooper, is Sheldon’s twin sister. While she’s not academically inclined like Sheldon is, she is very emotionally intelligent, and thankfully still has a great relationship with her brother.

After a rebellious streak in Season 6, it falls on Missy to take care of the Coopers after the tornado hits Medford. When Mary arrives back home, Missy falls back into old patterns, experiencing a breakup with her first proper boyfriend.

Raegan Revord has had minor appearances in Modern Family, Wish Upon, and Alexa & Katie.

George “Georgie” Cooper Jr.: Montana Jordan

CBS

Georgie is Sheldon’s older brother, and while not as scientifically gifted as Sheldon, Georgie has great entrepreneurial skills, and has recently become a father.

Georgie and Mandy eventually get married in Season 7, though the fall of the gambling room means that the couple are instantly falling on hard times. This sets the pair up for the unnamed Young Sheldon sequel, which begins filming in July.

Montana Jordan appears in The Legacy of Whitetail Deer Hunter and The Big Bang Theory.

Connie Tucker/Meemaw: Annie Potts

CBS

Connie, AKA Meemaw, is Mary’s mother and Sheldon’s grandmother. Annie is fun and sarcastic and tends to butt heads with George. She’s had plenty of male interest over the course of the show, previously dating Dr. John Sturgis in earlier seasons. She’s currently settled down with Missy’s former baseball coach Dale Ballard.

In Season 7, Connie takes on the law single-handedly after losing her house and belongings in the tornado. She’s then put on house arrest when her illegal gambling room is found out.

Annie Potts can be seen in the Ghostbusters franchise, along with Pretty in Pink, and the Toy Story franchise.

Mandy McAllister: Emily Osment

CBS

Mandy McAllister is a recent main addition to the cast, as she dates Georgie, despite him being significantly younger, and is now the mother to his child. Starting their love story back in Season 5, Mandy is now married to Georgie and is ready to settle into family life.

Mandy is also reunited with her parents Audrey and Jim in Season 7 — although this doesn’t exactly go smoothly.

Emily Osment is best known for her roles in Hannah Montana, Spy Kids, and Young & Hungry.

Professor John Sturgis: Wallace Shawn

CBS

Professor John Sturgis is Sheldon’s first mentor and teacher, who introduced him to theoretical physics, while also dating his grandmother. John suffered a mental breakdown in Season 3, leading him and Connie to break up in later episodes. However, the two remained friends, with John still an integral part of Sheldon’s life.

Wallace Shawn is best known for his appearances in Clueless, The Princess Bride, Toy Story, The Cosby Show, and Gossip Girl.

Dr. Gant Linkletter: Ed Begley Jr.

CBS

Dr. Grant Linkletter is Sheldon’s newest mentor in college, and also the rival of Dr. Linkletter at East Texas Tech. Not only are the pair academics enemies, but Linkletter also — unsuccessfully — went after Connie while John was dating her. Linkletter can still occasionally be seen in Season 7 when Sheldon is at college.

Ed Begley Jr. can be seen in St. Elsewhere, Blue Collar, An Officer and a Gentleman, Batman Forever, and Pineapple Express.

Pastor Jeff: Matt Hobby

CBS

Pastor Jeff works alongside Mary at the local church. He also challenges a lot of Sheldon’s scientific thoughts through logic exercises. Now on his second wife, Jeff is no stranger to a bit of controversy himself — all of which Mary is privy to. Jeff also eventually moves in next door to the Coopers.

Matt Hobby also stars in Boardwalk Empire, The Grinder, and Hart of Dixie.

Billy Sparks: Wyatt McClure

CBS

Billy is Sheldon’s neighbor who has an unrequited crush on Missy. Known for being happy without being the brightest crayon in the box, Billy is always around to play with the Cooper kids — leading to Billy doing beer runs in Season 7. Easily led astray, he’s frequently a worry for his parents.

Wyatt McClure appears in I See You and Psychos.

Brenda Sparks: Melissa Peterman

CBS

Brenda Sparks is Billy’s mother and Mary’s next-door rival. For most of Young Sheldon’s run, it was assumed that George had an affair with Brenda after some questionable behavior with George. However, this was later proved to be false.

While she’s yet to have a scene with her former co-star Reba McEntire, Brenda once got in a fight with Meemaw that was so bad, she had clumps of her hair taken out.

Melissa Peterman can be seen in Reba, Bet On Your Baby, and The Singing Bee.

Herschel Sparks: Billy Gardell

CBS

Herschel, Billy’s father, is an acquaintance of George’s as they both get nagged by their wives. However, Herschel later splits from Brenda and moves away, having not been seen since Season 2. However, Herschel is the person who both discovers and nurtures Georgie’s mechanic talents.

Billy Gardell is best known for his roles in Mike and Molly and Bob Hearts Abishola.

Tam Nguyen: Ryan Phuong  

CBS

Tam is Sheldon’s first best friend at school. Spending each lunch break eating in the library, they do most of everything together in the first four seasons — from sleepovers to being fascinated with the same girl.

While it’s revealed in The Big Bang Theory that they had a falling out after Tam didn’t go to Pasadena with Sheldon, they later patched things up when Tam visited Sheldon in CalTech. It’s since been confirmed that Tam will reappear in the Season 7 finale.

Ryan Phuong has appeared in Shameless and The Tundermans.

Other notable characters in Young Sheldon

This list would be as long as the time span of the whole universe if we kept going, so for now here’s a list of the other notable characters and who plays them:

• Dale Ballard: Craig T. Nelson – Meemaw’s boyfriend after Dr Sturgis.
• June: Reba McEntire – June is Dale’s ex-wife.
• Paige Swanson: McKenna Grace – Another child prodigy that Sheldon eventually develops a crush on.
• Linda Swanson: Andrea Anders – Linda is Paige’s mom.
• Assistant Coach Wilkins: Doc Farrow – Sheldon’s P.E. teacher and one of George’s closest friends.
• Victoria MacElroy: Valerie Mahaffey – Sheldon’s homeroom and English teacher.
• Hubert Givens: Brian Stepanek – Sheldon’s science teacher at Medford High.
• Mr. Gene Lundy: Jason Alexander – Medford High School’s drama teacher.
• Evelyn Ingram: Daniel Pinnock – Sheldon’s math teacher at Medford High.
• Tom Petersen: Rex Linn – Tom Peterson is Medford High’s Principal.
• Peg: Nancy Linehan Charles – Peg is Pastor Jeff’s secretary that Mary works with
• Marcus: London Cheshire – Marcus is Missy’s first boyfriend.
• Glenn: Chris Wylde – Glen is the owner of the King Kong Comics book store.
• Sheryl Hutchins: Sarah Baker  – Sheryl is Medford High’s librarian.
• Veronica: Isabel May – Georgie’s first crush, and perhaps more…
• Officer Robin: Mary Grill – Officer Robin is Pastor Jeff’s second wife.
• Jana: Ava Allen – Jana is Georgie’s relationship after Veronica.
• Pastor Rob: Dan Byrd – Youth Pastor Rob teaches the kids during Sunday school.
• Audrey McAllister: Rachel Bay Jones  – Mandy’s mom and grandmother to her and Georgie’s child.
• Jim McAllister: Will Sasso – Mandy’s dad and grandfather to her and Georgie’s baby.

While you wait for the next episode, you can catch up with our other Sheldon content, like our Season 7 theories, filming locations, how to watch Season 7 outside the US, and how to watch Young Sheldon on streaming.

You can also check out all the best new TV shows coming out this month.