How did Sheldon Cooper's father die?

Last Modified Feb 05, 2024 09:35 GMT
How did Sheldon Cooper's father die
A scene from Young Sheldon. Source: Facebook


At 14, Sheldon Cooper lost his father and most likely passed away from a heart attack because he had one in Young Sheldon S05E02. But the manner of death wasn’t explicitly mentioned in The Big Bang Theory and hasn’t happened in Young Sheldon yet.


Sheldon Cooper’s father suffers a mild heart attack in the second episode of the fifth season of Young Sheldon. He was obese and frequently seen drinking beer on Young Sheldon, so his obesity-related health problems would likely have claimed his life.


Sheldon, played by Jim Parsons, casually mentions to Bernadette's father that his father, George Cooper Sr., passed away when he was only 14 years old in The Big Bang Theory's seventh season. Another significant contributing factor to the chaos in Cooper's family, according to Sheldon, was the time he witnessed his father cheating on his mother in the tenth season.


Since it hasn't happened yet, nothing more can be said with assurance. A heart attack is just an assumption. The precise manner of Sheldon's father's death is not stated.


Who is George Cooper Senior?


George Cooper Sr. was Mary Cooper's late husband as well as the deceased father of Sheldon Cooper, Georgie Cooper, and Missy Cooper. Sheldon has referred to him as a near redneck "Homer Simpson" Texan for the majority of The Big Bang Theory. He passed away in September 2007, roughly 12–13 years before The Big Bang Theory premiere.


Mr. and Mrs. Cooper welcomed George Sr. into the world on June 10, 1944, in Galveston, Texas. His father frequently claimed that he never took pride in him. After graduating from high school, George joined the football team at his high school and later went on to coach the sport. In 1974, he married Mary Cooper.


Sheldon also stated that his parents' relationship was in trouble because they fought almost continuously, which greatly traumatized him as a youngster. It is also referenced that he loved to drink Bourbon, concealing it in Pepsi cans while he did so during Sheldon's archery lessons, and that Mary would leave him if he didn't stop. She turned to religion when their marriage was falling apart, and he turned to "a bottle."


George Cooper Sr. in Young Sheldon
George Cooper Sr. in Young Sheldon. Source: Facebook


How did George’s infidelity progress in the Young Sheldon series?


In the first scene of Season 5, Episode 2, Meemaw observes Sheldon's father to learn his secret. She begins asking about the previous evening when Brenda first made a move on George, but he ended up having a heart attack. When George begins making repairs around Brenda's house in Young Sheldon, season 5, episode 9, the slow slide into infidelity resumes. In episode 22, when Mary accepts a position working alongside Brenda Sparks at a bowling alley, things start to get difficult.


Near the end of the season, when he quits his job instead of looking for a new one and drinks and mopes around the house while Mary hits the market, clues to his Big Bang Theory persona start to emerge. Given Brenda's close connection to Sheldon's family, things will only become more difficult. Therefore, even though George Sr.'s affair hasn't occurred on-screen in Young Sheldon, season 6 will undoubtedly make the cheating scandal public and deliver a shocking revelation to the Cooper family.


George Cooper Sr. in Young Sheldon
George Cooper Sr. in Young Sheldon. Source: Facebook


What were the effects of George's infidelity on Sheldon's persona?


The most notable peculiarity of Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory is his three-knock rule, which was brought on by seeing George's extramarital affair in the Young Sheldon timeline. He is renowned for knocking thrice while reciting the person's name before opening the door.


This was clarified in Young Sheldon; he does this because he entered the room without knocking and saw his father engaging in an affair with a woman. Young Sheldon has not yet featured this episode of Sheldon's past, but season 5 finally delves into the plot. Sheldon's capacity for trust and his opinions on marriage are two more areas in which George's subsequent affair is likely to have had an impact.


Sheldon is incredibly naive, but he's not a very trusting guy. There are no surprises in his life because it is planned out precisely. Anyone who breaks the rules, like roommate agreements, instantly loses all trust and is subject to severe “Sheldony” repercussions.


In The Big Bang Theory, his reaction to George's extramarital affair is why he is reluctant to wed Amy. Even though they get married, he mentions that the relationship and divorce of his parents have colored his perception of marriage.



FAQs on Young Sheldon

Q. Did Sheldon’s father die of a heart attack?

A. As George Sr. was obese and drank excessive amounts of alcohol after losing his job, it is believed that he passed away from a heart attack.

Q. What was the origin point of the downfall of George Sr.?

A. It all originated when George Sr. lost his job. His alleged extramarital affair may have begun after that, and he later developed an alcohol problem, which ultimately and most likely contributed to his demise.

Q. Did George really cheat on Mary?

A. The Big Bang Theory referred to George's infidelity, and Sheldon's behavior, as a result, was quite obvious. However, this has not happened in Young Sheldon yet. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that the creators didn't have another idea in mind.