Biography
American actor Jim Parsons rocketed to fame on the strength of his unforgettable performance as a socially awkward scientist in the hit sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS, 2007-19). Born in Houston, Texas, he moved to New York to pursue a stage career after earning an MFA from the University of San Diego. He eventually returned to the West Coast and found small roles in the television series "Ed" (NBC, 2000-04) and the film "Garden State" (2004). He earned a recurring role in the Amy Brenneman legal drama "Judging Amy" (CBS, 1999-2005). After that show ended, Parsons found the role of a lifetime when producer Chuck Lorre cast him opposite Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco in "The Big Bang Theory." His Dr. Sheldon Cooper became one of the most easily recognized characters in pop culture. The show would go on to become one of the biggest hits in television history and earned the actor four Emmy Awards. During breaks in filming, the actor frequently returned to New York to make appearances on Broadway. Openly gay, Parsons starred in the Tony-winning revivals of the LGBTQ classics "The Normal Heart" and "The Boys in the Band." He went on to star in a TV film version of "The Normal Heart" (HBO, 2014) with Mark Ruffalo. Before the end of "Big Bang," the actor partnered with Lorre to produce a spinoff series about his character's childhood named "Young Sheldon" (CBS, 2017- ). On the big screen, Parsons joined singer Rihanna to provide the voices for the animated film "Home" (2015). He also appeared with Taraji P. Henson, Octacvia Spencer, and Kevin Costner in the Oscar-nominated drama "Hidden Figures" (2016). Parsons rejoined his stage co-stars Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer for Ryan Murphy's film adaptation of "The Boys in the Band" (Netflix, 2020).
