The Big Bang Theory was a very successful show for the CBS network. The show ran for an impressive 12 seasons until it finally came to an end in 2019. When The Big Bang Theory first premiered in 2007, fans fell in love with the quirky, nerdy, and brilliant characters. Being a geek and loving sci-fi was suddenly cool, and the cultural shift was all due to the characters of Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Howard Wolowitz, and Raj Koothrappali.
Though the beloved show is over, the world of The Big Bang Theory continues with Young Sheldon. The show is currently airing its 6th season and tells the story of Sheldon Cooper growing up as a genius. Fans also get an inside look at the Cooper family dynamics, and what his father was like. Let’s get into all the Young Sheldon characters that also appeared on The Big Bang Theory.
8/8 . Jim Parsons Narrates Young Sheldon
View this post on Instagram
The most obvious connection between The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon is the presence of Sheldon Cooper himself. Young Sheldon acts as the character’s backstory, and fans finally get to understand why Cooper acts as he does.
Even more exciting for The Big Bang Theory fans is the constant company of actor Jim Parsons. Parsons played Sheldon Cooper in the original show, and now he returns to narrate Young Sheldon. Parsons is also an executive producer of Young Sheldon, as he is passionate about the character he played for over a decade. However, Parsons was the reason The Big Bang Theory ended, and fellow cast mates were not thrilled with how he handled his exit.
7/8 . Who Is Professor Proton In Young Sheldon And The Big Bang Theory?
The Big Bang Theory showed Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter bonding over the fact that they both watched Professor Proton while growing up. The original show brought Professor Proton, played by Bob Newhart, in for regular appearances, and Young Sheldon is staying true to Cooper’s love of the scientist.
Throughout Young Sheldon, Professor Proton has been seen through voice and physical cameos as Cooper watches his shows. Cooper even made a club at his college for Professor Proton. Fans are glad the show is keeping this aspect of Cooper accurate to The Big Bang Theory.
6/8 . The Original The Big Bang Theory Gang In Young Sheldon Cameo
View this post on Instagram
While not characters of Young Sheldon, the makers of the show wanted to acknowledge the original characters of The Big Bang Theory. At the end of season 2, Young Sheldon shows younger versions of Sheldon Cooper’s adult friends. Leonard Hofstadter, Howard Wolowitz, and Raj Koothrappali, Penny, Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Amy Farrah-Fowler are all shown in their younger forms to viewers.
Howard Wolowitz’s character had another character later on, as actor Simon Helberg helped Jim Parsons narrate an episode in season 5, which showed why Cooper hates engineering so much. The actress who played Penny, Kaley Cuoco, also played the voice of the “talking pool water” in Sheldon’s dream in season 3. Mayim Bialik, who played Amy Farrah-Fowler, also joined Parsons in the season 4 premiere narration to reveal they have a son named Leonard.
5/8 . Sheldon Cooper’s High School Friend Tam Nguyen
View this post on Instagram
Sheldon Cooper is a hard person to make friends with, but character Tam Nguyen did it when Cooper was in high school. They were very close during Cooper’s time at the school, but then do not speak for 20 years until Nguyen appears in The Big Bang Theory.
The character of Tam was first seen in Young Sheldon in 2017, and the writers chose to bring him into The Big Bang Theory for one episode in 2018. In The Big Bang Theory, the character is played by Robert Wu. Ryan Phuong plays Nguyen in Young Sheldon.
4/8 . Mary Cooper Appears In The Big Bang Theory
View this post on Instagram
As for true Young Sheldon characters that previously appear in The Big Bang Theory, an older Mary Cooper was seen several times in The Big Bang Theory and the younger version the character is at the heart of Young Sheldon.
In The Big Bang Theory, the matriarch of the Cooper family is played by Laurie Metcalf. Zoe Perry plays the character in Young Sheldon. If fans are wondering why they look so similar (and have the exact same mannerisms), it’s because Metcalf is actually Perry’s mother.
3/8 . Cooper Siblings Grown Up In The Big Bang Theory
View this post on Instagram
The characters of Missy Cooper and George Jr. Cooper appear in both The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. The writers of both television shows are very consistent with their characters, and fans love seeing what they were like at a younger age in Young Sheldon.
The adult versions of Missy Cooper and George Jr. Cooper are played by Jerry O’Connell and Courtney Henggeler. Their younger selves are played by Montana Jordan and Raegan Revord in Young Sheldon.
2/8 . Meemaw Is Very Different In Young Sheldon
View this post on Instagram
Sheldon Cooper raves over his grandmother in The Big Bang Theory. She appears in the original show, played by June Squibb. Cooper’s grandmother, or Meemaw as he calls her, is a main character of Young Sheldon.
Annie Potts’s portrayal of Meemaw in Young Sheldon is very different than the Meemaw seen in The Big Bang Theory. She is much more energetic and has a much bigger personality. While fans love seeing this different side of Meemaw, it is inconsistent from The Big Bang Theory.
1/8 . Lance Barber Played A Different Character In The Big Bang Theory
View this post on Instagram
Lance Barber’s portrayal of George Sr. Cooper is very different from Sheldon Cooper’s portrayal of his father in the original show, but Young Sheldon may be building towards the character shift. While George Sr. Cooper does not actually appear in The Big Bang Theory, as he has already died by the time the original show takes place, actor Barber does appear in The Big Bang Theory.
In season 5 of the television show, Barber appears for one episode as Jimmy Speckerman, Leonard’s high school bully. Then, in season 12, Barber briefly plays George Sr. Cooper in a home video.
