Today our Hollywood Spotlight shines on the career of the extraordinary Jim Parsons. The skilled actor burst onto Hollywood’s radar a dozen years ago. And he has become a mainstay in viewer’s living rooms ever since.
A Classically-trained Actor
Jim Parsons might have come to the world’s attention as a television star but this actor earned his stripes on the stage. A native Texan, the celebrity helped create Infernal Bridegroom Productions, a theater company in the famous Houston Theater District. On their stage, Jim Parsons starred in numerous plays and musicals, including Guys and Dolls, Othello, and Threepenny Opera.
Following the completion of his undergraduate degree in Houston, the talented actor began pursuing a master’s degree in Theater at the University of San Diego. During that time, Old Globe Theatre accepted Jim Parsons into a prestigious two-year course they run in coordination with the university.
A Big Bang in Hollywood
After a number of successful stage productions and completing his master’s degree, Jim Parsons began looking for acting roles in Hollywood. He booked a few commercials and small television and movie roles but a great hit was on the horizon. After reading the script for The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons himself became enamored with the character of Sheldon Cooper. The series creator, Chuck Lorre, also thought the soon-to-be celebrity was a perfect fit for role.
The Big Bang Theory premiered in 2007. Though it was not an immediate success, by the third season, it had amassed a dedicated audience and was one of CBS’s highest-rated programs. The show is a record breaker also. The Big Bang Theory has the most episodes of a multi-camera program in history. More notably, most of the cast of The Big Bang Theory are among the highest paid television stars in the world, with the amazing Jim Parsons topping the list!
The television show has won a number of awards. However, it is clear that Sheldon is a fan, peer, and critic favorite. To date, Jim Parsons has won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his turn as Sheldon Cooper. He has won Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes as well.
The History of Sheldon
Based upon The Big Bang Theory’s incredible success and audience’s obsession with the quirky character, a spin-off was in order. Hence, in 2017, Young Sheldon joined the line-up. Iain Armitage, of Big Little Lies fame, stars as Sheldon Cooper in his younger years. However, Jim Parsons serves as the narrator. The television show is just beginning its second season.
A Stage Role Reprised
One of Jim Parsons’ most memorable stage roles was in Broadway’s revival of The Normal Heart. The talented celebrity played Tommy Boatwright in the drama which focuses on the HIV-AIDS crisis of the early 1980’s. Critics praised his performance. In 2014, HBO created a television movie version of the acclaimed play. Again, Jim Parsons was tapped for the role. For many, this was one of the first opportunities to see Jim Parsons acting as someone other than Sheldon Cooper. Both critics and audiences enjoyed his performance. And he even received a Primetime Emmy nod.
A Burgeoning Movie Career
We know Jim Parsons is a master of timing and physical comedy in the sitcom format and an accomplished stage actor. However, over the passed few years, the television star has continued to dip his toe into Hollywood’s movie scene. Most recently, he starred in A Kid Like Jake (2018) with Claire Danes. The pair played parents struggling with their child’s gender identity. Both actors received praise for their acting skills in the timely film.
Some of Jim Parson’s notable movies include Garden State (2004), The Big Year (2011), The Muppets (2011), Home (2015), Visions (2015), and Hidden Figures (2016).
What’s Next?
The Big Bang Theory will be ending in May of 2019. And as the highly-rated sitcom comes to a close, audiences will have to look elsewhere to see this talented celebrity at work. Luckily, he is part of the cast of Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. This movie focuses on the story of serial killer Ted Bundy from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend. Jim Parsons is the prosecuting attorney in the case against Ted Bundy, played by Zac Efron. Filming began early in 2018. However, the release date has not yet been announced. And while this thriller is sure to be chilling, it will sure be a treat to watch Jim Parsons in such a significantly different genre. We wish him the best of luck!