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Iain Armitage of ‘Young Sheldon’ Mourns Loss of Grandfather
Young Sheldon star Iain Armitage, known for portraying the youthful genius Sheldon Cooper, recently shared somber news with fans, announcing the passing of his grandfather, Richard Armitage. The 16-year-old actor expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to his beloved grandfather, highlighting his extraordinary life and achievements in a heartfelt online post.
Tribute to a Heroic Grandfather
In a touching message shared on Tuesday, Iain Armitage revealed the passing of his grandfather, Richard Armitage. He conveyed his profound grief, stating, “I am heartbroken to share with you that my extraordinary grandfather died on Sunday. He was my hero and I adored him.”
The actor included the dates “Richard L Armitage April 26, 1945-April 13, 2024,” seemingly indicating the years of his grandfather’s life, although a slight discrepancy in the year was noted. Armitage further elaborated on his grandfather’s impactful life, emphasizing a particularly remarkable act of heroism.
Saving Thousands of Lives
Armitage recounted one of his grandfather’s most significant accomplishments: “One of his most significant achievements was helping to save the lives of over 30,000 people when evacuating South Vietnam in 1973.” This testament underscores the grandfather’s courageous role in a critical historical event.
Beyond his professional achievements, Richard Armitage was a family man. “He was the father of 8 and the grandfather of 13,” Iain shared, illustrating his grandfather’s dedication to his large family. He also touched upon his grandfather’s personal interests, noting, “He loved basketball, USNA, and was also, somewhat unexpectedly, a Swifty.” The actor concluded this part of his tribute with a poignant reflection: “I think he knew everything.”

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Fond Memories and Lasting Legacy
Expressing immense pride and affection, Iain wrote, “I am endlessly proud to be his grandson, and I’m glad he knew it. I already miss your terrible jokes and I will miss and love you forever, Dad A.” This personal sign-off reveals the close bond they shared and the depth of Iain’s loss.
From Young Sheldon to Netflix Success
Iain Armitage gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the brilliant young Sheldon Cooper in the acclaimed series Young Sheldon. Viewers watched him mature from a precocious child to a likable teenager throughout the show’s run, which concluded the previous year.
Since the finale of the popular sitcom, the 16-year-old actor has maintained a relatively low profile, although fans eagerly anticipate his future projects. Recently, Iain updated his 1.7 million Instagram followers with images from a trip to Cape Town, showcasing colorful face paint and enjoying the scenic views.
He captioned the photos, “Thank you, Cape Town! Your Table Mountain is one of the best most beautiful places I’ve ever seen,” expressing his appreciation for the location.
‘Young Sheldon’ Season 7 on Netflix
In more uplifting news for fans, the final season of Young Sheldon is now available on Netflix. The streaming platform, which already hosts the first six seasons, released season seven on April 15th, allowing viewers to binge-watch the concluding episodes of the beloved sitcom.
Netflix subscribers initially encountered Young Sheldon when the first five seasons were added in November 2023. The show quickly became a streaming phenomenon, consistently ranking among the top programs on Netflix and frequently appearing in the U.S. Top 10 TV Shows chart.
The teen actor himself expressed surprise at the show’s immense popularity on Netflix. He mentioned in an interview with People that he learned about the show’s Netflix debut from a friend and was “stunned and surprised” by its success and expanding fanbase.
“I kind of didn’t even really know we were on Netflix until I looked,” he admitted. “It’s kind of funny to see that it really has blown up so much.”
Season six of Young Sheldon joined Netflix in February 2024, preceding the broadcast of season seven on CBS.
‘Young Sheldon’ Legacy and Spinoff
Young Sheldon, narrated by Jim Parsons as the adult Sheldon Cooper, aired for seven seasons on CBS from 2017 to 2024. Created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, the series features a talented cast including Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Montana Jordan, Raegan Revord, and Annie Potts.
The show humorously portrays Sheldon’s social challenges and intellectual superiority within his family setting. Despite these quirks, Iain Armitage believes the show’s broad appeal lies in its ability to offer comfort and laughter to viewers.
“Hopefully, that can turn their day around, because sometimes all you need is a little bit of a laugh,” he stated, emphasizing the positive impact of Young Sheldon on its audience.
Spinoff Series: Georgie and Mandy
The immense popularity of Young Sheldon has led to a spin-off series, “Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriage,” which premiered in October 2024. Focusing on the young married life of Georgie Cooper and Mandy McAllister, the new series has already secured a second season renewal from CBS, indicating continued interest in the Young Sheldon universe.
The original series, The Big Bang Theory, featuring Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, and Kaley Cuoco, enjoyed a successful 12-season run on CBS from 2007 to 2019. Now, with all seasons of Young Sheldon available on Netflix, including the final season’s debut on April 15th, fans can fully immerse themselves in Sheldon Cooper’s endearing and humorous origins.