We’ve all fallen in love with the quirky charm of Young Sheldon, the hit prequel to The Big Bang Theory. But while the cast brings their younger characters to life perfectly, have you ever wondered how old these stars actually are in real life compared to their on-screen personas?
Spoiler alert: Some of these real ages will leave you shocked. Let’s pull back the curtain and take a closer look at the real ages of the Young Sheldon cast versus the characters they portray.
The Real Ages of Young Sheldon Stars vs. Their Characters
Iain Armitage as Sheldon Cooper
📺 On-Screen Age: 9–14 (throughout the show)
🎂 Real Age: 17 (as of 2025)
Iain Armitage has been playing young Sheldon Cooper since the age of 9, but in real life, he’s grown up fast. Born in July 2008, Iain turned 17 in 2025—making him nearly twice the age Sheldon was in early seasons. Despite the age gap, Iain’s brilliant performance keeps Sheldon’s youth and genius perfectly believable.
Zoe Perry as Mary Cooper
📺 On-Screen Age: Early to mid-40s
🎂 Real Age: 41 (as of 2025)
Zoe Perry was born in September 1983, which puts her close in age to her character, Mary Cooper. Fun fact? She’s actually the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf, who played older Mary in The Big Bang Theory. Talk about perfect casting!
Lance Barber as George Cooper Sr.
📺 On-Screen Age: Late 40s
🎂 Real Age: 51 (as of 2025)
Lance Barber, born in June 1973, is in his early 50s in real life. Playing Sheldon’s dad, George Sr., he portrays a character roughly 10 years younger than himself. His character’s struggles and parenting moments are made even more heartfelt by his experienced performance.
Raegan Revord as Missy Cooper
📺 On-Screen Age: 9–14
🎂 Real Age: 17 (as of 2025)
Another shocker—Raegan Revord, who plays Sheldon’s spunky twin sister Missy, is also 17. Born in January 2008, she shares a similar timeline with Iain Armitage, though the two manage to stay completely convincing as early adolescents on screen.
Montana Jordan as Georgie Cooper
📺 On-Screen Age: 14–20s
🎂 Real Age: 22 (as of 2025)
Montana Jordan was born in March 2003, making him 22 in 2025. Throughout the series, he plays Georgie from his mid-teens to early adulthood, but in real life, he’s already ahead of the curve. His age difference from Georgie’s earlier years is one of the biggest gaps in the cast.
Annie Potts as Meemaw (Connie Tucker)
📺 On-Screen Age: Mid-60s
🎂 Real Age: 72 (as of 2025)
Annie Potts, the legendary actress behind Sheldon’s beloved Meemaw, was born in October 1952. Though she plays a sassy grandma in her 60s, Potts brings both youthful energy and grandmotherly wisdom to the role—and she doesn’t look her age one bit!
Matt Hobby as Pastor Jeff
📺 On-Screen Age: Late 30s
🎂 Real Age: 40 (as of 2025)
Matt Hobby was born in January 1985, making him 40. His character, Pastor Jeff, is likely meant to be in his late 30s—a rare instance of an actor playing almost the exact age as their character. Nailed it!
Wallace Shawn as Dr. John Sturgis
📺 On-Screen Age: Mid-70s
🎂 Real Age: 81 (as of 2025)
Wallace Shawn, the ever-quirky Dr. Sturgis, was born in November 1943, making him 81. He plays an eccentric physicist who mentors young Sheldon—often stealing scenes with his lovable oddness.
Emily Osment as Mandy McAllister
📺 On-Screen Age: Late 20s
🎂 Real Age: 33 (as of 2025)
Emily Osment, known from her Hannah Montana days, plays Georgie’s love interest, Mandy. She was born in March 1992, and is 33 in real life, playing a character around 26–28. Not too far off, but still a noticeable difference.
Craig T. Nelson as Dale Ballard
📺 On-Screen Age: 70s
🎂 Real Age: 81 (as of 2025)
Craig T. Nelson, another legendary actor, was born in April 1944. Like Wallace Shawn, he’s in his 80s playing a character roughly in his 70s. His portrayal of Dale adds both humor and heart to Meemaw’s storyline.
Big Age Gaps, Bigger Talent
The biggest surprises? The young actors who are now full-blown adults in real life. Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord have matured so naturally through the show’s seasons, it’s easy to forget how long Young Sheldon has been running. Meanwhile, the adult cast continues to convincingly play younger versions of their characters, showing just how powerful great acting can be.
How the Show Manages Age Differences
Makeup and Wardrobe Magic
Hollywood knows how to shave—or add—years. Through careful makeup, hairstyling, and wardrobe choices, the Young Sheldon crew keeps everyone looking age-appropriate.
Writing That Grows With the Characters
The show’s smart writing allows for natural progression. As the actors grow, so do their characters. This evolution helps bridge the gap between real age and screen age, keeping it believable.
How Long Has Young Sheldon Been Running?
Started in 2017, Young Sheldon ran for seven seasons, with its final season wrapping in 2024. That’s a long run for a child-led series—so it makes sense the actors have aged significantly since their first appearances.
Where Are They Now?
Many of the young cast members are already eyeing new roles. With Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord stepping into adulthood, fans are excited to see where their careers will go next.
💬 Final Thoughts
So, how old are the Young Sheldon stars in real life? In short—a lot older than their characters, especially in the case of the child actors. But thanks to stellar performances, smart scripts, and a little TV magic, the age gaps never once got in the way.
It just goes to show: age is just a number—but talent? That’s timeless.
🙋♀️ FAQs
Q1: How old was Iain Armitage when Young Sheldon started?
A: He was just 9 years old when he first took on the role of Sheldon Cooper in 2017.
Q2: Are Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord the same age in real life?
A: Yes! Both were born in 2008 and are now 17 years old.
Q3: Is Montana Jordan older than his character Georgie?
A: Yes, Montana is 22 in real life, while Georgie is portrayed from his teens through his early 20s.
Q4: Is Meemaw really in her 60s like on the show?
A: Nope! Annie Potts is 72 in real life but plays a character in her 60s.
Q5: Did Young Sheldon end?
A: Yes, the show concluded in 2024 after seven successful seasons.
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Blown away by these age gaps? Us too! Share this with a fellow Young Sheldon fan and test their TV trivia skills. Age may be just a number, but the talent on this show is absolutely ageless
