Similar to Jim Parsons, we really can't picture anyone else in the role of Young Sheldon, aside from Iain Armitage. In truth, his audition process was anything but easy, as he memorized a three-page monologue. And oh yea, he did so in front of Steve Molaro, Chuck Lorre and Jim Parsons... no pressure!Speaking of pressure, we'll take a look at Armitage's life when he's not shooting scenes for the CBS show. The actor has quite the work ethic, and he's changing the label on what it means to be a child star.In addition, we'll take a look at his current relationship with Jim Parsons and how the two maintain a close friendship today.
Iain Armitage Blew Young Sheldon Creator Steve Molaro Away During His Audition
It was in 2016 when Iain Armitage first sent in a video to CBS, playing the role of a younger Sheldon. The monologue was no easy task, three-pages long.
Nonetheless, Steve Molaro was blown away by the actor at the time. He recalled alongside Esquire, “He was the first kid to really make us laugh,” Molaro told me in an email. “We flew him and his mom to Warner Bros. to have him audition in person, and he nailed it again.”
Things got a little more exciting for the Young Sheldon star when he auditioned in front of Chuck Lorre and Jim Parsons for the series.
Armitage recalls, "I got a callback, which was great, and Jim Parsons, Steve Molaro, and Chuck Lorre were all there, and I just did my thing. When we were getting on the flight to go back to Virginia, we got a call that I had gotten the part, and I thought, 'Why are we going on this flight then?'"
Success would follow but according to his words with Esquire, his schedule is anything but easy...
Iain Armitage Is Still In School And Brings His Tutor On-Set
During his 2019 interview with Esquire, the actor revealed that he was still very much going to school. According to Esquire, by law, Iain can only work a certain amount of hours per day and in row, by law for a child worker.
Esquire writes, "Children are only allowed to work nine-and-a-half hours a day, including a lunch break, and a required three hours of school work. That means Iain will shoot some scenes for the show, break for twenty minutes of school, shoot a bit more, and go back for twenty more minutes of studying."
Armitage was able to get his tutor on-set, Miss Maura, who helped the actor maintain his academics.
Jamie Pillet, Iain's agent credited the actor for basically working two jobs at once. "“They’re doing the job of an actor, but they’re also going to school simultaneously … I think it’s often not really understood by their older counterparts, and sometimes even the producers of the show, how difficult that balance is," she tells Esquire.
"At the same time, they’re developing still and they’re growing up and they’re learning hard lessons—and they’re learning them very publicly.”
Armitage definitely seems to be changing the perception on what it means to be a child star.
Iain Armitage Maintains A Close Relationship To Jim Parsons
Getting cast as the younger version of Sheldon, it only makes sense that the child star was able to bond with Jim Parsons behind the scenes. Fans will be thrilled to realize that the two maintain a close relationship.
Most recently, Armitage showed up to Parsons' play over in NYC. He was thrilled in regard to the experience, posting about it on Instagram.
He wrote in the caption of the post, "And here is the whole reason I went to NYC! It’s one of my favorite places to go in the autumn, so I’m always looking for an excuse to get there.
Iain continues, "When I heard that @therealjimparsons was appearing on stage in @classicstage ‘s production of Man of No Importance, I knew I had to get there. I ended up sitting in the front row for a preview performance and it was so, so, so great! Jim is astonishing and he’s surrounded by an incredible cast."
Great to see the genuine and close connection between the two.
