Iain Armitage became a household name by playing young Sheldon Cooper on CBS’s Young Sheldon for seven seasons. At just 17 years old in 2025, this teen actor has already built a remarkable career. His journey started not with auditions, but with theater reviews on YouTube.
Born on July 15, 2008, in Savannah, Georgia, Armitage spent nearly half his life on television. He portrayed the brilliant but socially awkward child genius on The Big Bang Theory prequel from ages 8 to 15. Beyond acting, he’s pursuing a private pilot’s license, studying multiple languages, and advocating for arts funding in Congress.
Quick Facts
| Personal Details | Information |
| Full Name | Iain Armitage |
| Date of Birth | July 15, 2008 |
| Age | 17 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Height | 5’10” (1.78 m) |
| Parents | Euan Morton (father), Lee Armitage (mother) |
| Known For | Young Sheldon (2017-2024) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $6 million |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life and Family Background
Iain Armitage comes from a family deeply rooted in the arts and politics. His father, Euan Morton, is a Scottish-American actor born in Bo’ness, Scotland, who earned Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for playing Boy George in the Broadway musical Taboo. His mother, Lee Armitage, works as a theater producer.
His name “Iain” uses the Scottish spelling of “Ian,” reflecting his paternal heritage. His paternal grandfather is Richard Lee Armitage, who served as United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell. This unique combination of theatrical and diplomatic lineage shaped his worldview from an early age.
Growing up in Arlington, Virginia, rather than Los Angeles, gave Armitage a more grounded childhood away from the Hollywood bubble. The family maintained close ties to the Broadway community through his father’s career. His father later played King George III in the Chicago production of Hamilton, further cementing the family’s theater credentials.
Theater Critic Origins
At age three, Armitage attended his first Broadway show, sparking a lifelong passion for theater. In May 2012, when he was just shy of four years old, he saw Leap of Faith, a short-lived musical that closed after only 20 performances. That experience launched his journey as a child theater critic.
By 2012, Armitage started his YouTube series called Iain Loves Theatre, posting thoughtful reviews and performing Broadway songs. These weren’t simple child reactions—he provided genuine critiques that demonstrated real understanding of theatrical craft. The videos gained serious attention within the theater community, catching the eye of industry professionals who saw something special.
In 2015, at age seven, he served as a correspondent for Perez Hilton during the Tony Awards 2015. He was even referenced in the ceremony’s opening number—an extraordinary acknowledgment for someone not yet professionally acting. His early theater immersion shaped his entire approach to performance, teaching him storytelling and character work before ever auditioning for scripted roles.
Early Television Appearances
Armitage’s YouTube presence and theater industry connections led to agent representation by 2014. His first television appearance came at age six on truTV’s Impractical Jokers (Season 3, Episode 1: “Look Out Below”). This early comfort on camera showed natural talent that would soon define his career.
In 2016, he appeared on NBC’s Little Big Shots as a guest judge in “The Idiom of Love” episode. The variety show, produced by Ellen DeGeneres and hosted by Steve Harvey, featured talented children. His appearance as a theater expert demonstrated credibility in that space before transitioning to scripted work.
His professional acting debut came in January 2017 with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He played Theo Lachere, a kidnapped child, in the episode “Chasing Theo.” Working alongside Mariska Hargitay, this role proved he could handle dramatic material beyond his theater criticism background.
Breakthrough Roles
Within weeks of his SVU debut, Armitage landed two career-defining roles in 2017. First, he was cast as Ziggy Chapman in HBO’s critically acclaimed drama Big Little Lies. Playing the son of Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley), he showcased vulnerability and emotional complexity alongside an ensemble that included Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz.
The show’s unexpected second season in 2019 required Armitage to reconnect with Ziggy after a two-year gap. “It’s weird because [Ziggy] was a role I had originally done when I was six or seven,” Armitage told interviewers during the 2024 Young Sheldon press tour, according to Assignment X. This early experience with character continuity proved invaluable training.
In 2020, Armitage received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Big Little Lies. When he attended Shailene Woodley’s Broadway debut Cult of Love in December 2024, he shared on Instagram that their Big Little Lies experience made him love acting as a career.
Young Sheldon Journey
In March 2017, Armitage was cast as young Sheldon Cooper in Young Sheldon, a prequel to the massively successful sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The casting was crucial—he needed to capture Jim Parsons’ iconic portrayal while making the character his own. The show premiered in September 2017 and became an immediate hit on CBS.
Armitage’s Sheldon balanced intellectual superiority and social awkwardness with childlike vulnerability. His performance required mastering complex scientific dialogue, with scripts sometimes noting “Science line to come” before consultants finalized technical language. He told PEOPLE in October 2024: “I’m sure it seems like hard work, but I’ve been so lucky. It’s the easiest, most fun job in the world.”
The show tracked Sheldon from age 9 in fourth grade (1989) to age 14 heading to Caltech (1994) across seven seasons. Armitage had to dye his naturally blonde hair brown throughout the entire run to match Jim Parsons’ appearance. The series finale aired with double episodes on May 9 and May 16, 2024, featuring Jim Parsons appearing as adult Sheldon.
Film Career
Beyond television, Armitage expanded his range through film work starting in 2017. He appeared in The Glass Castle, the adaptation of Jeannette Walls’ memoir, playing Young Brian Walls alongside Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts. The role required portraying a character in a dysfunctional family situation.
That same year, he appeared in Our Souls at Night alongside Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. He also had a role in the film I’m Not Here. These diverse projects during his first year as a professional actor showed his range beyond comedy.
In 2018, he made a crossover appearance on The Big Bang Theory itself in “The VCR Illumination” episode. Playing young Sheldon on a videotape recording intended to encourage his older self created a meta moment connecting both series. This direct on-screen connection went beyond Jim Parsons’ narration that opened every Young Sheldon episode.
Voice Acting Career
Armitage’s voice acting debut came in 2020 with Scoob!, where he voiced young Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo animated film. He was set to reprise the role in Scoob! Holiday Haunt, but the fully produced film was canceled in August 2022 during Warner Bros. Discovery merger cost-cutting measures. The cancellation came despite all voice work being completed.
In 2021, he voiced Chase, the lead puppy character, in PAW Patrol: The Movie. This major animated film role demonstrated versatility in animation work. The character’s prominence in the franchise made it a significant voice acting credit during his Young Sheldon run.
In 2022, he voiced Wilbur in two episodes of Apple TV+’s Ghostwriter reboot (Season 3). He also appeared on Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered (2 episodes) and Group Chat in 2020, plus The Price Is Right at Night in 2022 with co-star Raegan Revord.
Awards and Recognition
Armitage’s talent earned recognition from his first professional year. In 2018, he won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actor for Young Sheldon. That same year, he received a Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Breakout TV Star.
His 2022 Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy Series placed him among adult competitors. This acknowledgment showed he wasn’t just a talented child actor but a genuine comedic performer. The nomination recognized years of maintaining quality and character consistency.
In 2024, Armitage won the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star after nominations in 2021, 2022, and 2024. “I feel very grateful, above anything else,” Armitage reflected about Young Sheldon ending, according to PEOPLE in February 2024. His gratitude suggests resilience that will serve him well in future projects.
Advocacy and Labor Movement
During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which lasted 118 days and delayed Young Sheldon’s seventh season, Armitage walked picket lines in New York. This participation demonstrated awareness beyond typical teenage concerns. When the strike concluded on November 9, 2023, he thanked the crew on Instagram, acknowledging their essential role.
In April 2025, Armitage participated in advocacy work with The Creative Coalition, visiting Congress to lobby for arts funding. Standing on the U.S. Capitol steps, he engaged with Congressional representatives from both parties. “We were invited into the offices of Congressional reps on both sides of the aisle,” he wrote on Instagram.
He made economic arguments for the arts, stating that “every dollar spent on arts generates nine times that amount in return” according to People Magazine. This advocacy connects his origin story as a theater enthusiast with policy enabling similar paths for future young artists. His participation shows understanding of broader industry structures.
Conclusion
Iain Armitage represents a rare success story in Hollywood—a child actor who maintained artistic integrity and personal development. From theater critic to television star to student pilot and arts advocate, his path demonstrates early success need not define or limit growth. His foundation—supportive family, positive experiences, diverse interests, and genuine passion—positions him well for whatever comes next.
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FAQ About Iain Armitage
How old is Iain Armitage in 2025?
He is 17 years old, born on July 15, 2008.
What is Iain Armitage’s height?
He stands approximately 5’10” (1.78 m) tall.
What is Iain Armitage’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth his estimated net worth is around $6 million from his Young Sheldon role.
Is Iain Armitage related to Richard Armitage?
Yes, Richard Lee Armitage (former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State) is his paternal grandfather.
Did Young Sheldon end in 2024?
Yes, it concluded with its seventh season finale on May 16, 2024.
What languages does Iain Armitage speak?
He has studied Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Armenian, German, Spanish, Italian, Assyrian, and Sinhalese.
Is Iain Armitage a pilot?
He obtained his student pilot’s license in 2024 and completed his first solo flight on his 16th birthday.
Who are Iain Armitage’s parents?
His father is Euan Morton (Tony-nominated actor) and his mother is Lee Armitage (theater producer).
Will Iain Armitage appear in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage?
He has expressed openness to guest appearances but no confirmed episodes as of 2025.
How did Iain Armitage start acting?
He started as a theater critic with his YouTube series “Iain Loves Theatre” at age 4, which led to acting representation.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a dedicated writer with over 4 years of experience in the biography and lifestyle niche. I specialize in crafting engaging, easy-to-read content that makes complex stories simple and relatable. My goal is to bring readers fresh perspectives, inspiring journeys, and well-researched insights that keep them informed and connected.