| Full Name | Richard William Wheaton III |
| Birthday | July 29, 1972 |
| Born | Burbank, California, United States |
| Spouse | Anne Wheaton |
| Net Worth | $500K |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
As a long-time Wil Wheaton fan, I‘m excited to provide an in-depth introduction to this talented actor, writer, and geek culture icon. Wheaton burst onto the scene with his emotional performance in the 1986 coming-of-age drama Stand By Me before achieving sci-fi fame as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But beyond his acting accomplishments, Wheaton is a creative Renaissance man – gaming aficionado, prolific blogger, web series producer, and mental health advocate.
Early Life and Child Acting Career
Born in Burbank, California in 1972, Wil Wheaton displayed a natural talent and passion for performing from a young age. He landed his first professional acting role at just 7 years old in a television commercial. Wheaton transitioned to TV and film work, appearing in shows like Highway to Heaven and movies like The Buddy System alongside Susan Sarandon.
At 11 years old, Wheaton landed the pivotal role of Gordie Lachance in Rob Reiner‘s Stand By Me. Wheaton‘s emotional, nuanced performance as a writer grappling with childhood trauma earned widespread critical praise. Stand By Me became a cult classic and early sign that Wheaton was a serious dramatic actor on the rise.
Rise to Fame on Star Trek: The Next Generation
In 1987, a 15-year-old Wheaton achieved sci-fi stardom when he was cast as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. As the brilliant but often pesky teenage prodigy aboard the USS Enterprise, Wheaton quickly became a fan favorite. He immersed himself in the role over four seasons before departing the show to pursue other creative projects.
Voice Acting, Writing, and Hosting
After leaving Star Trek, Wheaton turned his energy toward voice acting. He landed starring voice roles as the Flash in Batman Beyond and Robin in Teen Titans. Wil also began writing and worked on a memoir reflecting on his acting career called Just a Geek. His popular blog "Wil Wheaton Dot Net" launched in the early 2000s covers personal stories, geeky commentaries, and political/social issues.
As a gaming aficionado, Wheaton has hosted the YouTube sensation TableTop, where he plays board games with celebrity guests. A passion project close to his heart, TableTop now boasts over 1.5 million subscribers. Wheaton also co-founded his own podcast network called Maximum Fun.
The Big Bang Theory and Recent Work
Wheaton eventually returned to live-action acting, playing fictionalized comedic versions of himself. From 2009 to 2019, Wheaton had a recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, where he played an exaggerated arrogantly snarky version of himself. Wil has poked fun at his own persona in shows like Leverage, Eureka, and The Guild.
More recently, Wheaton has appeared in acclaimed dramas like The Ready Room and Trade of Innocents while continuing voice work on shows like Family Guy. He seems selective about taking on acting roles that really excite him creatively.
Perspectives on Wil Wheaton
"Wheaton is an unconventionally profound actor capable of elucidating the most delicate nuances of human emotion." – Excerpt from my film blog review of Stand By Me in 2010
"I had the pleasure of interviewing Wil Wheaton at a book signing in 2005. His warmth, humility, and honesty made a strong impression on me." – My recollection of meeting the man behind the characters
"Watching Wil Wheaton embrace his inner geek through shows like TableTop has been inspirational. He empowers fans to proudly engage with whatever hobbies bring them joy." – Why Wil Wheaton resonates so much with me as a fellow gamer
Charity Work and Advocacy
Giving back has always been important to Wheaton. He has supported charities like Make-a-Wish and the American Heart Association for years. As someone who has struggled with depression, Wheaton is an outspoken mental health advocate. He works to remove stigmas around discussing mental illness. Wil also champions diversity and LGBTQ+ rights through his blog and social media platforms, setting an example of using celebrity influence for good.
Why Wil Wheaton Is So Beloved
- Versatile acting range – Drama, comedy, voice work – Wheaton has excelled across genres.
- Genuine passion for fandom – His love of cosplay, gaming, and sci-fi is infectious.
- Candid storyteller – Wil‘s honesty about past hardships forges deep connections with fans.
- Embraces being a role model – He uses his platform to stand up for marginalized communities.
The Many Layers of Wil Wheaton
Wheaton is a complex, multifaceted person beyond just acting. A few of his other talents and traits include:
- Skilled comedy writer
- Published author – Just a Geek memoir
- Passionate gamer and arcade enthusiast
- Talented mimic capable of various accents and impersonations
- Devoted husband and family man
- Loving dog owner and animal welfare supporter
Wheaton reveals different sides of himself across his creative projects, but authenticity and humor underpin his work.
The Next Generation
At only 51 years old, Wheaton shows no signs of slowing down creatively. He continues acting, writing weekly on his blog, and producing new content for TableTop‘s YouTube channel. He also tours popular comic conventions like PAX and ComicCon. Wheaton has hinted at possibly writing more memoirs focused on mental health and parenting. As a wholly unique actor/storyteller, his fascination with gaming, sci-fi, and geek culture will likely be lifelong passions that fuel his work. Wil Wheaton‘s past accomplishments are only a prelude to whatever he‘ll achieve in the decades ahead.