From Georgie and Mandy’s first marriage to Meemaw and Dale’s on-again, off-again partnership, Young Sheldon featured some pretty adorable love stories. But the real-life relationships of the cast are just as romantic.
The Big Bang Theory prequel — which wrapped up its seven-season run in 2024 — gave fans a new perspective on the beloved Sheldon Cooper as it chronicled his early years growing up in Texas. Led by Iain Armitage as the young prodigy himself, the cast — which included Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Montana Jordan, Emily Osment and Annie Potts — brought to life a family dynamic that was as chaotic as it was endearing.
While audiences watched Sheldon navigate school and its bullies, the actors behind the scenes were building impressive lives of their own. From longtime marriages to fresh starts, the real-life relationships of the Young Sheldon stars are as full of memorable moments as anything that played out on-screen.
Here’s everything to know about the real-life partners of the Young Sheldon cast.
- Iain Armitage
On-screen, Armitage’s portrayal of the socially awkward Sheldon has earned him critical acclaim. In 2024, he even received the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star — Family Show for the role.
Off-screen, Armitage has maintained a relatively private personal life. Beyond acting, he’s known for his passion for theater, having gained attention at a young age for his online theater reviews well before he landed his starring role.
In 2024, Armitage told PEOPLE that he obtained his student pilot’s license and would start working on his private pilot’s license when he turned 17.
The young actor hasn’t publicly dated anyone.
2. Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak
Jim Parsons originated the role of Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, a role that earned him four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. After wrapping the hit sitcom in 2019, Parsons stayed connected to the franchise by narrating Young Sheldon.
Behind the scenes, Parsons’ real-life love story is just as noteworthy. Parsons has been with his husband, Todd Spiewak, since 2002, after meeting on a blind karaoke date set up by friends.
After nearly 15 years together, they tied the knot in May 2017 at the Rainbow Room in New York City.
Reflecting on the moment, Parsons told Stephen Colbert in 2017 that “[the wedding] was so much more meaningful in the moment for me than I predicted, and it’s been resonantly much more meaningful than for me afterward than I ever saw coming.”
Spiewak, a former graphic designer, now co-runs the couple’s production company, That’s Wonderful Productions, which has helped bring shows like Young Sheldon and Special to life.
3. Lance and Aliza Barber
Barber played the no-nonsense father of Sheldon, whose life is similarly private off-screen.
However, his Comeback costar Lisa Kudrow revealed in 2019 to the Chicago Tribune that the actor is happily married. “Yeah, somebody married him!” she told the outlet. “He’s got children that he’s nurturing with! And he is, he’s really nurturing with them.”
Barber is married to Aliza Barber, who is a professional chef, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer. Together, they have two children.
4. Zoe Perry and Gab Taraboulsy
Zoe Perry plays Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s deeply religious and fiercely protective mom — a character originally portrayed in The Big Bang Theory by her real-life mother, Laurie Metcalf. In 2022, Perry quietly tied the knot with director and producer Gab Taraboulsy.
Taraboulsy, known for his work on The Grill Iron and The Kardashians, has largely stayed private about his relationship with the actress. Perry offered a sweet peek into their engagement during a Field Team 6 Zoom event in 2021.
While praising Taraboulsy’s knack for emotional video editing, she revealed, “That was how this guy proposed to me,” gesturing to her husband, who was sitting beside her. “It’s worth it!”
5. Montana Jordan and Jenna Weeks
Montana Jordan plays Georgie Cooper on Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. In May 2024, Jordan and his longtime girlfriend, Jenna Weeks, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Emma Rae.
The actor shared the joyful news on Instagram, writing, “God has blessed me with a beautiful babygirl. Emma Rae Jordan, Momma and Daddy love you. Forever and always.”
The couple, who began dating in high school, announced their engagement in January 2025. Jordan proposed with a romantic setup featuring rose petals and a “Marry Me?” sign, sharing photos of the moment on social media.
Weeks, a social media personality from Texas, often shares glimpses of their life together on her Instagram, including family outings and Emma’s milestones.
6. Annie Potts and James Hayman
Annie Potts — who portrays Young Sheldon’s infamous Meemaw — has been married to director and producer James Hayman since 1990 after having met on the set of the 1992 film Breaking the Rules. They share two sons: James, known as “Doc,” and Harry. Potts also has an older son, Clay, from a previous marriage.
In a 2018 interview with Closer, Potts shared how she knew Hayman was the one for her.
“Right away he loved my son. I had an eight-year-old when I met him. When you fall in love with somebody who comes into your surroundings when you have a kid already, [they] have to love both of us,” she said. “He was so willing to do that. We were instantly a family, had two more sons together and a very happy life.”
7. Emily Osment
Emily Osment joined Young Sheldon in its fifth season as Mandy McAllister, which eventually lead to a starring role in the spinoff series Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
In June 2023, Osment announced her engagement to musician Jack Anthony during a trip to Yosemite National Park. The couple married in a private ceremony on Oct. 12, 2024.
Osment filed for divorce on March 7, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized just days later, with both parties waiving rights to spousal support, as per their prenuptial agreement.
