Emily Osment Reflects on Career, Wildfires, and New Sitcom Amid Personal Challenges

BURBANK, Calif. — Emily Osment, star of CBS’s hit sitcom “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” is no stranger to gratitude. But her thankfulness extends beyond her successful career. The Los Angeles native, whose family lost their homes in recent wildfires, is focusing on resilience and community in the face of tragedy.

“We’re kind of used to wildfires, but the scope of this is something that’s so unimaginable, and it’s extremely traumatic,” Osment said during an interview on the Warner Bros. Studios set. “Unfortunately, my parents lost their home, my brother lost his home, and I’m grateful that I’m able to provide a space where friends and family can feel safe.”

The 32-year-old actor, known for her roles in “Hannah Montana” and “Young Sheldon,” praised the Los Angeles community for its response to the disaster. “I’ve seen so much community the last few weeks with people on the ground doing really good work, trying to donate and provide shelter, food, and clothes to everyone that’s been affected,” she said. “L.A. is really good at that. It’s a very vibrant, diverse city, and I love watching our community come together. Unfortunately, it’s under horrible circumstances.”

Osment’s career has been equally vibrant. A SAG-AFTRA member for nearly 28 years, she began acting at age 5 and has since starred in films like “Spy Kids” and TV series such as “The Kominsky Method.” Her role as Mandy McAllister in “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” a spin-off of “Young Sheldon,” marks her latest success. The show, which premiered in October 2024, averages 13.3 million viewers across linear and streaming platforms.

Reflecting on her journey, Osment credited producer Chuck Lorre for shaping her career. “I owe a lot to Chuck Lorre,” she said. “I’ve been working with him for 14 years, and he has wonderful stories for women, which is hard to come by.”

Osment also opened up about her personal life, including her recent marriage and separation from Jack Anthony in October 2024. “It’s just funny the way life happens,” she said. “With any big decision in your life, whether it’s relationships or work, you have to firmly plant both feet in that decision to understand the full scope of that choice you’ve made. Ultimately, the marriage didn’t work out. It’s just the way life happens sometimes.”

Despite the challenges, Osment remains optimistic. “I usually love January in L.A. because it’s sometimes oddly warm and it’s a fresh start,” she said. “Coupled with these horrible wildfires, it can only get better, right?”

As “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” continues to captivate audiences, Osment is focused on her craft and the future. “I think Mandy and I share this,” she said of her character. “We’re both very stubborn, and she sees an opportunity to have autonomy in her career and in her life, and she jumps at it.”