Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton is an American actor, writer, voice artist, and mental health advocate whose career spans film, television, and digital media. Wheaton first gained international attention by starring in the Rob Reiner comedy-drama film "Stand by Me." He then portrayed Wesley Crusher on the television series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," Gordie Lachance in "Stand by Me," Joey Trotta in "Toy Soldiers," and Bennett Hoenicker in "Flubber." His performance as a thoughtful, aspiring young writer in "Stand by Me" established him as a dramatic talent, and his subsequent role aboard the USS Enterprise made him a defining figure in science fiction television.

A brief tenure as a child actor, marked by stardom in "Stand by Me" and on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," preceded Wheaton's more prolific second act as a writer, blogger, gaming and tech enthusiast, and spokesperson for what was termed in the media as geek culture. Wheaton returned to Star Trek, reprising his Wesley Crusher role in cameo appearances in "Star Trek: Nemesis," the season two finale of "Star Trek: Picard," and as a voice actor in the second season of the animated show "Star Trek: Prodigy." Wheaton also regularly portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on "The Big Bang Theory," becoming a recurring guest star and side character on the show.

Wheaton was the host and co-creator of the YouTube board game show "TableTop" and has narrated numerous audiobooks, including "Ready Player One" and "The Martian." His audiobook narration of Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One" debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list and was named one of Goodreads' 10 Best Narrator and Audiobook Pairings of All Time. Wheaton was named by Forbes as one of the most influential celebrities on the internet, with a Twitter following in excess of 3 million people.

As a writer, Wheaton is the author of "Just a Geek," "Dancing Barefoot," "The Happiest Days of Our Lives," "Hunter," and "Dead Trees Give No Shelter." In his memoir "Still Just a Geek," Wheaton discussed never having wanted to be an actor, having been forced into the entertainment business as a child by his parents, which resulted in serious mental health issues throughout his life—reflections that are central themes in the book. He has also contributed columns to Salon.com, The A.V. Club, LA Weekly, Playboy, and The Washington Post.

Wheaton has earned recognition as a mental health advocate, chronicling his own journey in his blog and as a public speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. He has been open about his lifelong battle with mental health issues, sharing his experiences with chronic depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, as well as the challenges of living with mental illness in Hollywood. Wheaton has said he hopes that sharing the challenges of his mental health journey inspires others who may be suffering to seek help. His willingness to speak candidly about personal struggles, combined with a career that has touched nearly every corner of popular culture, positions him as a significant voice in the entertainment industry and mental health advocacy.