Zoe Perry is the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf from The Big Bang Theory (2007). Over 20 years earlier, she also played the younger version of her mother in episodes 5.7, Halloween IV (1992) and 7.19, All About Rosey (1995) of Roseanne (1988). Now, she again plays a younger version of her mother's character over 20 years later.
When the show started, some of the crew were shocked at how much Zoe Perry looked and sounded like Laurie Metcalf and were surprised when she told them it was genetic since Laurie is her mom.
Lance Barber, who plays George Cooper Sr, is the same actor who played Jimmy Speckerman, Leonard's (Johnny Galecki) high-school bully in one episode of The Big Bang Theory (2007) in 2011.
This series has inspired the Young Sheldon STEM Initiative grant. Created to encourage children in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, the grant has given nineteen selected public schools more than $600,000 in two-year grants with the option to submit for continuation grants after the two years. Chuck Lorre, whose foundation is one of the sponsors of the grant, stated that "to those of us involved in making it, Young Sheldon is more than a television series. At its heart, it's a story about potential. When a child's education is supported, there is no limit to what that child might eventually achieve."
Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon) said he was committed to his role of Sheldon thanks to Jim Parsons (Adult Sheldon) coaching him and explaining who Sheldon is.