Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton plays a fictionalised version of himself in The Big Bang Theory. His own place in science-fiction fandom gives the role an immediate connection to the characters, but the comedy comes from his willingness to be awkward, competitive and a considerable irritation to Sheldon. It is a performance, not a documentary portrait of the actor.

Wheaton first became widely known as Gordie Lachance in Stand by Me and Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation. His later television work includes Eureka and Leverage, alongside animation and other voice roles.

He is also an author and audiobook narrator, with books including Just a Geek and Still Just a Geek. His writing and narration are substantial parts of his career beyond the screen. For Big Bang Theory viewers, his recurring appearances put a familiar face from the characters' favourite entertainment directly in the path of their everyday arguments.