Wil Wheaton – Biography, Net Worth, Movies and TV Shows

Richard William Wheaton III, known professionally as Wil Wheaton, is an American actor, writer, and voice artist who first captured the public’s attention as a child star in the 1980s. Born on July 29, 1972, in Burbank, California, he built a career that spans film, television, digital media, and literature, eventually becoming a central figure in geek culture.

Wheaton is widely recognized for his portrayal of Gordie Lachance in the classic film Stand by Me and for his starring role as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He later gained a new generation of fans as a fictionalized version of himself on The Big Bang Theory and as the creator and host of the webseries Tabletop.

Beyond acting, he is an accomplished author, a prominent mental health advocate, and a regular voice in discussions about nerd culture, having contributed columns to outlets such as Salon.com and The A.V. Club.

What is Wil Wheaton best known for?

Wheaton’s fame rests on several key achievements that span more than three decades of work. The following insights capture the most significant aspects of his career and public identity.

• His career has lasted over three decades, beginning as a child star in Stand by Me and evolving into an iconic Star Trek role and a leading figure in geek culture.
• He is a successful writer and blogger, authoring several books including Just a Geek.
• Contrary to persistent rumors, he has never appeared in any Star Wars film or series.
• His income is derived from acting residuals, book sales, convention appearances, and hosting duties.
• He is a vocal mental health advocate who has spoken openly about his own struggles.
• He has built an extensive voice acting portfolio in video games and animation.

What are all of Wil Wheaton’s movies and TV shows?

Early film breakthrough

At age 12, Wheaton landed the lead role of Gordie Lachance in Rob Reiner’s Stand by Me (1986), the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella The Body. Los Angeles Times critic Sheila Benson wrote that Wheaton made Gordie’s “sensitivity” tangible. He also appeared in Toy Soldiers (1987) and voiced Martin in the animated film The Secret of NIMH (1982).

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Wheaton’s most iconic television role was Wesley Crusher, the “boy genius and Starfleet hopeful” on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was a main cast member for the first four seasons (1987–1994), appearing in 85 episodes, and returned for four additional episodes across the show’s remaining three seasons. He later reprised the role in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), the Season 2 finale of Star Trek: Picard (2023), and as a voice actor in Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2.

Recurring and guest roles

After leaving Hollywood for 18 months to pursue personal video production, Wheaton attended acting school for five years and returned to the screen. He regularly portrayed a fictionalized, darker version of himself—often called “Evil Wil Wheaton”—as a recurring guest star on The Big Bang Theory, particularly in Season 3. In 2010, he joined the cast of Eureka as Dr. Isaac Parrish and also appeared on Leverage.

Voice acting and video games

Wheaton voiced Aqualad in Teen Titans and Teen Titans GO!, and The Flash in Teen Titans GO! to the Movies. His animated credits include Family Guy, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Guardians of the Galaxy. In video games, he has lent his voice to four installments each of Grand Theft Auto and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, as well as Fallout: New Vegas and DC Universe Online.

What is Wil Wheaton’s net worth and book about?

Net worth

Publicly available sources do not provide a verified, specific figure for Wil Wheaton’s net worth. Estimates vary, but his income streams include acting residuals from Star Trek and Stand by Me, book sales, convention appearances, hosting duties for Tabletop and The Ready Room, and a substantial body of audiobook narration work.

Writing and memoirs

Wheaton is the author of several books that grew out of his popular weblog. Just a Geek (2003) is a memoir about his experiences in Hollywood and his relationship with fandom. Still Just a Geek (2014) discusses being pushed into the entertainment industry by his parents as a child, an experience he says caused serious mental health issues throughout his life. His other titles include Dancing Barefoot (2005), The Happiest Days of Our Lives (2007), Dead Trees Give No Shelter (2011), Sunken Treasure, and The Day After and Other Stories.

Audiobook narration

His narration of Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list, establishing him as one of the most sought-after narrators in the industry.

Was Wil Wheaton in Star Wars?

No. Wil Wheaton has never appeared in any Star Wars film, series, or animated project. The confusion likely arises because both Star Trek and Star Wars are major science-fiction franchises, and Wheaton is deeply associated with the former. He has clarified this distinction publicly on multiple occasions. The Wikipedia: Wil Wheaton page lists no Star Wars credits in his filmography.

What was Wil Wheaton like as a child actor?

Wheaton began acting at age seven. His first major break was a Jell-O Pudding Pops commercial opposite Bill Cosby. By age ten, he had already been acting for three years.

His performance in Stand by Me at age 12 brought him international acclaim. The role demanded emotional depth, and critics praised his ability to convey vulnerability. After the height of his early fame, he struggled with typecasting and took a break from Hollywood for 18 months, later returning to attend acting school for five years.

1. 1972: Born in Burbank, California
2. 1986: Stars as Gordie Lachance in Stand by Me
3. 1987–1994: Plays Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation
4. 1990s: Guest roles on various TV shows; struggles with typecasting
5. 2001: Publishes first book Just a Geek
6. 2000s–2010s: Voice work in video games; recurring role on The Big Bang Theory
7. 2010–2019: Hosts Tabletop on Geek & Sundry
8. 2020s: Continues acting, writing, and convention appearances

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Wil Wheaton?

How did Wil Wheaton become a geek culture icon?

Wheaton’s transition from child actor to geek icon was not immediate. His character Wesley Crusher became a polarizing figure among Star Trek fans, and Wheaton later embraced the role at fan conventions, turning criticism into connection. His memoir Just a Geek details his post-Star Trek struggles and his reinvention as a writer and public personality.

He leveraged his nerd persona to create and host Tabletop, a webseries credited with reigniting national interest in tabletop gaming. He also hosts The Ready Room, the official online hub for the Star Trek universe. Through these platforms, his blog, and his candid discussions about mental health, he has become a prominent spokesperson for geek culture. He lives in Arcadia, California, with his wife Anne and her two sons.

The Star Trek official database entry on Wheaton confirms his enduring connection to the franchise that helped define his career.

Where can I find reliable information about Wil Wheaton?

Richard William “Wil” Wheaton III (born July 29, 1972) is an American actor and writer.

— Wikipedia

The official website for Wil Wheaton, featuring his blog, tour dates, and merchandise.

— wilwheaton.net

Comprehensive filmography and trivia about his career.

— IMDb

For up-to-date appearance schedules and personal updates, his Official Facebook page is a verified social media source. Additional biographical details and discussion of his mental health advocacy can be found through his speaking engagements and published columns.

What is next for Wil Wheaton?

As of 2025, Wheaton continues to act, write, and make appearances at conventions. Upcoming projects and tour dates are typically announced on his official website and social media channels. His career remains active across television, voice work, and live events, with no indication of slowing down.

Frequently asked questions about Wil Wheaton