Lance Barber is one such actor who crossed The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon tele-verse. Long before taking up the recurring role of Sheldon Cooper’s father, George Cooper Sr., in the spin-off prequel, Barber appeared in a minor role in The Big Bang Theory.
Unlike the other cast members of The Big Bang Theory who increased their net worth through recurring roles, the TV star’s stint on the sitcom was recorded in only one episode. However, eagle-eyed fans wasted no time singling out the actor despite his costume and makeup. Check out the totally unrelated role Lance Barber played on the CBS-produced show before ever stepping into the world of Young Sheldon.
What Role Did Lance Barber Play In The Big Bang Theory?
Since the premiere of Young Sheldon in 2017, Lance Barber has expertly portrayed the role of George Cooper Sr., the traditional Texan dad who tries to uphold a tough exterior despite his eminent soft side. Barber joined the long list of beloved American sitcom dads on the CBS-produced show, but this was not his first rodeo as far as Sheldon Cooper’s life story goes.
The TV actor first appeared in Sheldon Cooper’s world in season five, episode 11 of The Big Bang Theory, when he played a rather undesirable role that fans frowned on. In the episode titled, “The Speckerman Recurrence,” Lance Barber starred as Leonard’s high school bully who reconnects with him in a karmic setting.
The plot plays out with Barber’s character, Jimmy Speckerman, turning up on Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki) Facebook page and asking them to meet up. Jimmy seeks help from the physicist while being oblivious to the trauma he left him back in the day.
Leonard meets up with Jimmy for drinks, but he only does, so he could “say all the things he wanted to say in high school.” However, the conversation takes another turn because Jimmy greets him like an old friend and proceeds to banter with him. He reminds Leonard of their school days, and it left him uncomfortable. Jimmy proceeds to tell Leonard that he needs help with making glasses that convert non-3D movies into 3D.
At this point, Sheldon (Jim Parson) steps in to speak up on Leonard’s behalf as he reminds Jimmy of all the atrocious things he did to the latter when they were kids. It is safe to say that fans saw Jim Parson and Lance Barber play polar opposite roles compared to their father-son relationship in Young Seldon, even though Iain Armitage plays the younger version of Sheldon.
Lance Barber’s portrayal of Jimmy Speckerman’s complex character was quite popular among fans because it addressed relatable content. However, it was not well-received. Barber’s character turned out to be one of the most hated ever in the series. “The Speckerman Recurrence” episode aired back in 2012, and it would not be until five years later before the actor stepped into the recurring role of George Cooper Sr.
