The entertainment industry often shines a relentless spotlight on celebrity families, especially the children of acclaimed actors and actresses. While some of these children embrace the limelight and pursue careers in Hollywood, others prefer a life far removed from the glare of cameras. Mae Akins Roth belongs to the latter group. As the youngest daughter of Emmy-winning actress Laurie Metcalf and actor Matt Roth, Mae was born into a family deeply tied to stage and screen. Yet, she remains one of the most private and enigmatic celebrity children today.
In this article, we’ll explore who Mae Akins Roth is, the circumstances of her birth and upbringing, her connection—or lack thereof—to popular shows like Young Sheldon, and the curiosity around whether she was adopted. We’ll also reflect on how Mae has chosen to lead a life of privacy despite her family’s fame, and why this makes her story all the more intriguing.
Who is Mae Akins Roth?
Mae Akins Roth was born in July 2005 in the United States through surrogacy. Her parents, Laurie Metcalf and Matt Roth, opted for this method of childbirth after already raising two children together and fostering one. Mae’s arrival marked an important chapter in their family story.
Unlike many celebrity children who grow up in the tabloids, Mae’s childhood was deliberately shielded from the public eye. Laurie Metcalf, despite her extensive Hollywood career—from Roseanne and The Conners to Broadway performances—has always been intentional about keeping her family matters private.
Mae’s birth is notable not just because of who her parents are but also because it reflects the evolution of family planning in Hollywood. Celebrities increasingly turn to surrogacy as an option, and Laurie Metcalf and Matt Roth’s openness about it helped normalize the conversation back in the mid-2000s.
Mae Akins Roth’s Family Background
Mae is part of a unique family structure that blends Hollywood fame with deep personal bonds.
- Mother – Laurie Metcalf: A four-time Emmy Award winner, Metcalf is best known for her role as Jackie Harris on Roseanne. She has also earned critical acclaim for her work in theater, winning Tony Awards and being recognized as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.
- Father – Matt Roth: An actor in his own right, Roth appeared in several television series and films, including Roseanne. Although not as high-profile as Metcalf, he built a respectable career in Hollywood before shifting focus to family life.
- Siblings:
- Zoe Perry (Mae’s half-sister, daughter of Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Perry). Zoe is an actress and currently recognized for playing Mary Cooper, Sheldon Cooper’s mother, on Young Sheldon.
- Will Theron Roth, born in the early 1990s, is Mae’s older brother.
- Donovan Roth, a foster child who became a permanent part of the Metcalf-Roth household when adopted later on.
Mae is the youngest of these siblings, and while her older sister Zoe followed directly in their mother’s acting footsteps, Mae has not pursued acting or public recognition—at least not yet.
Was Mae Akins Roth Adopted?
One of the most common questions surrounding Mae Akins Roth is whether she was adopted. The answer is no—Mae was not adopted. She was born through surrogacy, a fact confirmed in multiple profiles of her family.
The confusion often arises because Mae’s brother, Donovan Roth, was fostered and later adopted by Laurie and Matt. Because Donovan’s adoption is well-documented, some mistakenly assume Mae was adopted as well. In truth, Mae shares biological ties to her parents, though her birth via surrogacy sets her apart in discussions about the family.
Connection to Young Sheldon
Another frequent association with Mae Akins Roth is the hit sitcom Young Sheldon. While Mae herself has no acting credits in the show—or in Hollywood at large—her half-sister Zoe Perry has a central role.
Zoe Perry portrays Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s deeply religious mother, in the Big Bang Theory prequel. Ironically, Perry plays the younger version of a role originated by her real-life mother, Laurie Metcalf, on The Big Bang Theory. This mother-daughter succession added a meta layer to the casting, capturing media attention and sparking discussions about Hollywood family legacies.
However, it’s important to emphasize: Mae Akins Roth is not part of Young Sheldon. She remains entirely separate from the show and from acting in general, at least to public knowledge. Her link is only through her sister Zoe Perry, who embodies the family’s continuation in Hollywood.
Growing Up in the Public Eye—But Staying Private
Children of Hollywood actors often grow up in front of paparazzi and press. From red carpets to Instagram fame, it is nearly impossible for many to escape attention. Yet Mae Akins Roth is a rare exception.
Though she has appeared a handful of times alongside her mother—such as at Theater Hall of Fame inductions or Tony Award ceremonies—Mae avoids public appearances. She is not publicly active on Instagram or Twitter, and any accounts attributed to her are private.
This decision reflects Laurie Metcalf’s philosophy about protecting her children’s privacy. In interviews, Metcalf has expressed her desire to balance a successful acting career with a private family life. Mae, it seems, has embraced this model, choosing education and personal growth over publicity.
Speculation About Career and Net Worth
Because Mae comes from a family of actors, speculation about whether she will pursue a career in entertainment is inevitable. Some reports claim she may have appeared in a 2023 short film called Butterface, but this has not been widely confirmed. For now, there is no concrete evidence of her embarking on an acting career.
As for her net worth, estimates vary wildly, ranging from $500,000 to $3 million. These numbers are almost certainly speculative, reflecting her parents’ financial success rather than Mae’s independent earnings. At only 19 years old, Mae has not yet established her career path, making such estimates unreliable at best.
Mae Akins Roth and the Power of Privacy
What makes Mae’s story compelling is not her Hollywood involvement but her deliberate choice of privacy. In an age where celebrity children often become influencers or actors by default, Mae’s low-key presence is refreshing.
Her story also highlights the shifting narrative of celebrity families: while fame used to automatically engulf every family member, today, children like Mae can chart their own course away from the spotlight. By choosing education and personal development over fame, Mae is setting an example for other young adults navigating the balance of celebrity and identity.
Conclusion: Mae Akins Roth’s Quiet Legacy
Mae Akins Roth is not a household name, and that seems intentional. As the daughter of Laurie Metcalf and Matt Roth, her background connects her to Hollywood, yet her life choices so far have distanced her from its spotlight.
She was born via surrogacy, not adoption, debunking one common misconception. She has no direct link to Young Sheldon aside from her half-sister Zoe Perry’s starring role. And while speculation exists about her future, Mae currently focuses on her studies and personal life.
For those seeking drama or headlines, Mae may not provide much material. But in her quiet privacy lies the real story: the daughter of two actors who demonstrates that not every Hollywood child is destined to become a star—or even wants to.
As she grows older, the world may see more of Mae Akins Roth, perhaps in acting, writing, or an entirely different field. Until then, her story remains a thoughtful reminder of the value of living away from the spotlight.
Written for Digi Fanzine
