Young Sheldon star Iain Armitage is all grown up and every bit as industrious as his screen character.
The star who took up the role of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory in the series spin-off two seasons before it ended, celebrated his recent birthday with a photo on Instagram.
The image depicts a tall young man, but not without resemblance to the 9-year-old screen character. And many fans even think he looks like "a little Tom Cruise."
Highlights
- Armitage mirrored his on-screen persona by earning a student pilot license and learning two languages.
- Now 17, the actor says he’s eyeing college, more acting, and even martial arts roles in the future.
- His birthday post on Instagram racked up over 25,000 likes and heartwarming praise from longtime fans.
Iain Armitage brought as much chaos to the screen as Jim Parsons in The Big Bang Theory
Young Sheldon, which ran from September 25, 2017, to May 16, 2024, overlapped The Big Bang Theory by two years after Jim Parsons, who acted as the grown-up version of Sheldon, decided that he no longer wanted to continue in the 12-year sitcom.
Producers determined that the show would not be the same without Parsons and opted to end it rather than recast it without him.
Image credits: Young Sheldon CBS
Fortunately, Sheldon fans were not left empty-handed, presented with a younger version of the character that was capable of as much emotionally stilted chaos.
Armitage recently turned 17 and celebrated with a photo on Instagram
Image credits: Young Sheldon CBS
Armitage would play the embarrassingly smart child who was not shy to call out professors and preachers and draw men in black suits with dark glasses from the government to his mother Mary’s (Zoe Perry) front door.
He started the role in 2017 at the age of 9 and finished five years later.
Image credits: iain
It appears his fan base has simply migrated to his 1.7 million-strong Instagram account, where he recently posted a picture of himself beaming, behind a birthday sorbet with a candle in it
“It’s been a great few days- thanks, everyone! 17 is wonderful so far!” he captioned the image, which drew over 25,000 likes.
While most fans celebrated his special day, many couldn't help but notice that the Young Sheldon star looked quite like Tom Cruise.
"Is that Tom Cruise's son?" joked one fan.
Image credits: iain
“Happy Birthday, Iain!” came the answer. “I hope today brings you as much light and warmth as you unknowingly bring into the lives of others,” the answer said, summarizing the sentiment in the comment thread.
He already has a student pilot license
Armitage’s real life appears to be an echo of the titular Warner Bros. character.
Image credits: Young Sheldon CBS
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 2024, he explained that he had started learning German and Brazilian Portuguese, and at the age of 16, had already acquired his student pilot’s license.
“I’m learning languages and doing a lot of travel. I do want to continue acting very much. And I do want to go to college very much,” he said at the time.
Image credits: Young Sheldon CBS/iain
“I have a lot of fun things that I'm looking forward to. But right now, I have the luxury of at least feeling like I have all the time in the world, which is nice.”
The Young Sheldon actor hopes to play the role of an action hero next
Image credits: iain
The actor, who scooped an accolade for Best Performance in a TV Series—Leading Young Actor in early 2017, played the character Ziggy in the series Big Little Lies alongside Shailene Woodley, Nicole Kidman, and Reese Witherspoon, and has since indicated that he hopes to play the hero in his next role.
“It’d be fun to do something with martial arts. I'd like to do something physical for once. ‘Sheldon’ is so mental. I’d love to do a drama too…” he told the California-based outlet.
Despite his numerous roles, he suggested that it was Young Sheldon that made a lasting impression
Image credits: iain
Armitage, who also provided the voice of Chase in Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021) and made an appearance in an episode of Law & Order: SVU, noted that Young Sheldon had a lasting impact on him, saying:
“I’ve been doing it for seven years, so it doesn't really feel that much like a massive acting challenge anymore because, up until three weeks ago, I was doing it every day, for five days…”
Image credits: iain
And when probed for his view on his growth as an actor, he said, “It’s funny to think about” in the context of the rhythm he had built on the show.
Some fans think that he is becoming more "Sheldonish"
