For seven seasons, Annie Potts ‘73 played the beloved Connie/Meemaw on the T.V. show "Young Sheldon".
Young Sheldon is a spinoff prequel to The Big Bang Theory that follows Sheldon Cooper growing up with his family in East Texas. Annie played Connie, or Meemaw, Sheldon’s fun-loving, sarcastic, patient grandmother. Craig T. Nelson, who played Connie’s beau, Dale, had this to say about working with Annie, “She’s very outspoken, mischievous, really funny all the time…She is a wonderful person to be around, be with, and act with.” These are all characteristics of a Stephens alum!
Annie grew up on a farm in Franklin, Kentucky. When she was about 8, she got a taste of the stage. Annie participated in the Little Miss Franklin-Simpson County pageant, where she told a joke about her dog. While she doesn’t remember details about the joke, she recalls she loved the embrace of the audience’s laughter. In 1964, her family traveled to New York for the World’s Fair. There, she saw her first Broadway show, High Spirits, which starred Stephens alum Tammy Grimes ‘53 as Elvira Condomine.
Annie attended Stephens College, graduating in 1973 with a B.F.A. in Theater. After Stephens, Annie made her television debut in Black Market Baby; the following year, she would debut on the big screen in Corvette Summer as Vanessa, opposite Mark Hamill. She is best known for her roles in popular films such as Ghostbusters and Pretty in Pink. Annie starred in Designing Women as feminist Mary Jo Shively and voiced Bo Peep in the Toy Story franchise. Annie also performed on Broadway and debuted in God of Carnage in 2009. Of note is her Broadway appearance as Berthe in the Tony-winning revival of Pippin. Annie’s list of awards and accomplishments is more than impressive throughout her 47-year career.
The ride’s not over for fans of The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. The spinoff (of the spinoff), Georgie and Mandy’s First Wedding, following Sheldon’s older brother, is slated for the fall. As for Meemaw continuing in the role of Georgie’s grandmother in the new show – Annie says, “Well, I’ve not been formally asked… But they’re aware that I’m a workaholic, and I love them. They’re brilliant…Who knows?”
Looking ahead, Annie said she would do the right series, movie, or play and is considering a one-woman play.
Annie reflects on her storied career in a Daily Beast article that is available to read here.