Zoe Perry is an American actress best known for portraying Mary Cooper in the popular CBS sitcom Young Sheldon. Coming from a family of accomplished actors, Perry has developed an acting career of her own across television, film, Broadway, and regional theater.
Her connection to The Big Bang Theory universe is particularly interesting: her mother, acclaimed actress Laurie Metcalf, originally played Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, while Zoe Perry portrayed a younger version of the same character in Young Sheldon. Perry has also worked alongside both of her parents during her career.
Here is everything you need to know about Zoe Perry, including her age, biography, career, family, personal life, and net worth.
Zoe Perry Wiki & Biography
| Full Name | Zoe Perry |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1983 |
| Age | 42 years old as of September 2026 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Education | Northwestern University |
| Parents | Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry |
| Known For | Young Sheldon, Scandal, The Family |
| Spouse | Gab Taraboulsy |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
Biographical sources generally list Perry’s birth date as September 26, 1983. Some entertainment databases have listed 1984, so readers may encounter conflicting information online. IMDb and biographical references such as Wikipedia list 1983.
How Old Is Zoe Perry?
Zoe Perry was born on September 26, 1983, in Chicago, Illinois. As of September 2026, she is 42 years old, turning 43 on September 26.
She grew up surrounded by theater and television because both of her parents were professional actors. Her mother is Emmy-winning actress Laurie Metcalf, while her father is actor Jeff Perry, widely recognized for his work in Scandal and other television and theater productions.
Early Life and Family
Perry’s parents divorced when she was young, but both remained influential figures in her life. Her childhood gave her an early look at professional acting, particularly through her parents’ involvement in theater.
Interestingly, Perry’s parents initially encouraged her not to pursue acting until she was an adult. She has spoken about being shy when she was younger and eventually becoming interested in performing while attending college.
Perry initially attended Boston University before transferring to Northwestern University, where she studied and became more involved in acting. After graduating, she moved to New York to pursue television work before eventually returning to California and developing a substantial theater career.
Zoe Perry’s Acting Career
Zoe Perry’s career has included television, film, Broadway, and theater. She began appearing professionally at a relatively young age, although her parents wanted her to wait before making acting her career.
Early Television Roles
One of Perry’s earliest screen appearances was on the sitcom Roseanne, where she played a younger version of Jackie Harris, the character portrayed by her mother, Laurie Metcalf.
She later appeared in programs including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, My Boys, NCIS, Private Practice, and Grey’s Anatomy. Her work with television producer Shonda Rhimes also led to roles in shows connected to Rhimes’ television universe.
The Family and Scandal
In 2016, Perry appeared as Jane in ABC’s drama The Family. The following year, she joined Scandal, playing Samantha Ruland.
Her Scandal role was another notable family connection because her father, Jeff Perry, was also part of the show’s cast.
Breakthrough With Young Sheldon
Perry’s biggest television breakthrough came in 2017, when she was cast as Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon.
The CBS comedy serves as a prequel to The Big Bang Theory and follows Sheldon Cooper during his childhood. Perry’s character, Mary, is Sheldon’s protective mother.
The casting created a unique connection between mother and daughter. Laurie Metcalf played the adult version of Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, while Zoe Perry portrayed the younger version in Young Sheldon.
Despite the family connection, Perry auditioned for the role rather than simply receiving it because of her relationship with Metcalf.
Her performance earned her a 2019 Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Zoe Perry After Young Sheldon
Young Sheldon concluded its seven-season run in 2024, but Perry continued playing Mary Cooper in the franchise.
She joined the cast of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the follow-up series focusing on Georgie Cooper and Mandy McAllister. Perry’s return allowed her to continue the role that had become closely associated with her television career.
Perry also appeared in the final season of The Conners, where she worked alongside her real-life mother, Laurie Metcalf, in another television collaboration.
Zoe Perry’s Film Career
Although television has been the biggest part of Perry’s career, she has also appeared in several films.
Her film credits include:
- Deception (2008)
- The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008)
- Turkey Bowl (2011)
- Cotton (2014)
- No Pay, Nudity (2016)
Her film work has generally been complemented by an extensive stage career.
Zoe Perry’s Theater Career
Theater has played an important role in Perry’s development as an actress.
She made her Broadway debut in The Other Place in 2013, appearing alongside her mother, Laurie Metcalf. She has also worked with prominent theater organizations including Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Antaeus Theatre.
Other stage credits include:
- Anna Christie
- The Way West
- The Lieutenant of Inishmore
- End Days
- Peace in Our Time
- The Autumn Garden
- Good Television
- The Late Christopher Bean
Her stage work demonstrates that her career extends well beyond her best-known television role.
Zoe Perry Net Worth
Zoe Perry’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed by a reliable financial source.
Various entertainment websites publish estimates of her wealth, but these figures should be treated cautiously because there is no publicly verified breakdown of her salary, investments, property holdings, or other assets.
Her long-running television work, theater appearances, film roles, and continued involvement in the Young Sheldon franchise are the major publicly visible components of her professional career.
For that reason, it is more accurate to describe her net worth as an unverified media estimate rather than a confirmed figure.
Is Zoe Perry Married?
Yes. Zoe Perry is married to Gab Taraboulsy, a director and producer.
Reports about the couple’s marriage have appeared in entertainment publications, with People reporting that Perry married Taraboulsy in 2022.
Perry generally keeps her private life relatively low-profile compared with many Hollywood celebrities. Much of the public attention surrounding her personal life has focused on her famous family and her professional collaborations with her parents.
Zoe Perry and Laurie Metcalf
One of the most interesting aspects of Perry’s career is her professional relationship with her mother, Laurie Metcalf.
The two have portrayed the same fictional character in the Big Bang Theory universe. Metcalf played Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, while Perry played the younger Mary in Young Sheldon and subsequently in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
They have also appeared together on stage, including in the Broadway production of The Other Place.
Perry has described her mother as an important influence on her acting career, while also establishing her own identity as a performer.
Zoe Perry and Jeff Perry
Zoe’s father, Jeff Perry, is also an accomplished actor. He is particularly known for playing Cyrus Beene on Scandal.
Father and daughter worked together on Scandal, where Zoe appeared as Samantha Ruland while Jeff played Cyrus. Their shared work on the series was another unusual family connection in Perry’s acting career.
Zoe Perry Awards and Recognition
Perry received a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination in 2019 for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance as Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon.
While she has not built her reputation around a long list of major acting awards, her performance on Young Sheldon helped establish her as a recognizable television actress.
Interesting Facts About Zoe Perry
- Zoe Perry was born in Chicago, Illinois.
- She is the daughter of actors Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry.
- She studied at Northwestern University.
- Her mother played Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.
- Perry played the younger Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon.
- She auditioned for the role of Mary rather than automatically receiving it because of her family connection.
- She has appeared alongside both of her parents professionally.
- She made her Broadway debut in The Other Place.
- She has worked in television, film, Broadway, and regional theater.
- She continued playing Mary Cooper after Young Sheldon through Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
Final Thoughts
Zoe Perry’s career is an interesting example of a Hollywood performer building an identity while also working within a remarkable acting family. As the daughter of Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry, she grew up around professional theater and television, but her career has developed through her own performances across stage and screen.
Her portrayal of Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon remains her most recognizable role, particularly because she took over the character previously played by her mother. From Broadway and independent films to Scandal, Young Sheldon, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Perry has established a diverse career that continues to evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoe Perry
Who is Zoe Perry?
Zoe Perry is an American actress best known for playing Mary Cooper in the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon. She is also known for roles in Scandal, The Family, and other television and theater productions.
How old is Zoe Perry?
Zoe Perry was born on September 26, 1983. She is 42 years old as of September 2026.
Where was Zoe Perry born?
Zoe Perry was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
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Who are Zoe Perry’s parents?
Zoe Perry is the daughter of actors Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry. Both of her parents have had successful careers in television and theater.
Is Zoe Perry related to Laurie Metcalf?
Yes. Laurie Metcalf is Zoe Perry’s mother. Interestingly, Metcalf played Mary Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, while Perry played the younger version of Mary in Young Sheldon.
Is Zoe Perry related to Jeff Perry?
Yes. Jeff Perry is Zoe Perry’s father. The two also appeared in Scandal, making it another notable professional collaboration within the Perry family.
Who does Zoe Perry play in Young Sheldon?
Zoe Perry plays Mary Cooper, the mother of Sheldon Cooper. She portrays the younger version of the character that her mother, Laurie Metcalf, played in The Big Bang Theory.
Is Zoe Perry married?
Yes. Zoe Perry is married to Gab Taraboulsy, a director and producer. The couple married in 2022.
What is Zoe Perry’s net worth?
Zoe Perry’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Various websites publish estimates, but there is no reliable public financial disclosure confirming a specific figure.
Where did Zoe Perry go to college?
Zoe Perry attended Northwestern University, where she studied before pursuing acting professionally.
Has Zoe Perry appeared in movies?
Yes. Her film credits include The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond, Deception, Turkey Bowl, Cotton, and No Pay, Nudity.
Has Zoe Perry worked on Broadway?
Yes. Zoe Perry made her Broadway debut in The Other Place in 2013, appearing alongside her mother, Laurie Metcalf.
What shows has Zoe Perry appeared in?
Some of Zoe Perry’s television credits include Young Sheldon, Scandal, The Family, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
Is Zoe Perry still playing Mary Cooper?
Yes. Following Young Sheldon, Zoe Perry continued her role as Mary Cooper in the spinoff series Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
What is Zoe Perry best known for?
Zoe Perry is best known for playing Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon, a role that brought her widespread recognition and connected her career to her mother’s famous portrayal of the same character.