No, according to the makers of the show, Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory does not have autism.
The Big Bang Theory is an American comedy sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. The series is set in Pasadena, California, and stars Sheldon and Leonard, who are roommates, and Rajesh and Howard, who excel in academic intelligence with the highest IQs. Things in their socially awkward life turn upside down when Penny, an aspiring actress, currently working as a waitress, becomes Sheldon and Leonard’s neighbor.
The series is a blend of emotions like comedy, sarcasm, friendship, love, brotherhood, and much more. In its 12 years, the series has had a total of 12 seasons and more than 250 episodes, ending on May 16, 2019. The success gained by the series resulted in 2 spinoff shows going by the titles Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage.
Is Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory autistic?
While throughout the series, Sheldon Cooper has shown signs of autism, the makers have not termed the character to be so. During an interview, the show's creator and writers explained that they had not created the character of Sheldon based on the traits of autism, but on how more "Sheldony" it would appear in the series. Writer and showrunner Bill Prady stated, "We write the character as the character. A lot of people see various things in him and make the connections. Our feeling is that Sheldon's mother never got a diagnosis, so we don't have one."
In a separate interview, the actor Jim Parsons, who plays the role of Sheldon in the series, talked about the writer's point on his character stating that Sheldon "couldn't display more traits" of Asperger's symptoms. Remembering his recently read memoir "Look Me in the Eye" by John Elder Robison, Parson stated "A majority of what I read in that book touched on aspects of Sheldon. The way his brain works, it's so focused on the intellectual topics at hand that thinking he's autistic is an easy leap for people watching the show to make."
Who is Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory?
Sheldon Cooper is one of the main characters in The Big Bang Theory and has been part of the cast since the 1st episode of the series. Sheldon is recognized as one of the smartest men with an IQ of 187 and is a theoretical physicist researching quantum mechanics and string theory. He is best friends with Leonard and has been roommates with him from the start of the series. He and Leonard are friends with Raj and Howard and the four of them work together at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Sheldon’s character is known to be highly rigid and is usually seen behaving like a child if things don't end up the way he likes. But gradually through the season, the character is seen having character development, and with Amy Farrah Fowler being his girlfriend, Sheldon grows to be more caring and considerate about other people's feelings by the end of the series.
FAQs on Sheldon
A. Sheldon’s father’s name is George Cooper.
A. Yes, Sheldon has a sister who goes by the name of Missy Cooper.
A. Sheldon is known to be a huge fan of Star Trek.
