Jim Parsons Reveals How He Chose ‘Young Sheldon’ Actor

The Big Bang Theory spin-off Young Sheldon premieres this fall on CBS, and fans will get to see just how Sheldon Cooper came to be. To make sure the show was as perfect as possible, Jim Parsons, who plays adult Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, had a hand in picking out the actor who would portray the younger version of his character, and the actor revealed how he helped to choose the lucky youngster during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Actor Iain Armitage ended up snagging the coveted role, thanks in part to his “mind-blowing” audition, according to Cooper, who will help executive producer and provide a voiceover.

“They wrote the most trial-by-fire, two-page monologue and all these kids were coming in with it and they were all really good,” Parsons shared. “But Iain, when his tape came in, it was mind-blowing and I thought, ‘he looks really young but he must be 13 to be able to do this’ – but he was 8.”

“He is such a man-child,” the actor continued. “He thinks like a man. He’s fantastic. I didn’t think I was very good with kids but I’m fine with him. He’s such a sweet kid, too.”

Armitage previously appeared on HBO’s Big Little Lies as the son of Shailene Woodley’s character.

Parsons also revealed that Armitage got him a rather Sheldon-like gift for his wedding earlier this year.

“He wanted to get me a gift for my wedding,” he said. “An ant farm – and he said, ‘congratulations on your new children.’”

Photo Credit: CBS