Wil Wheaton is an American actor, writer and host best known for playing Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gordie Lachance in Stand by Me, and a fictionalized version of himself on The Big Bang Theory.

Wheaton began acting as a child and his earliest credits include The Secret of NIMH, The Last Starfighter and Stand by Me. In 1987, he joined Star Trek: The Next Generation as Wesley Crusher, a role he has since reprised in later Star Trek projects.

Wheaton appeared in several episodes of The Big Bang Theory as a fictionalized version of himself, initially as Sheldon’s nemesis before becoming friendlier with the group. His other television credits include recurring roles on The Guild and Eureka.

Outside acting, Wheaton has written books including Just a Geek and Still Just a Geek. He co-created and hosted the board game series TableTop, hosted the Star Trek aftershow The Ready Room, and has narrated numerous audiobooks, including Ready Player One and The Martian. With Felicia Day, he hosts the Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Official Podcast.