Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons | |
|---|---|
 Parsons in 2008 | |
| Born | James Joseph Parsons |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Partner | Todd Spiewak |
James Joseph "Jim" Parsons (born March 24, 1973) is an American television and film actor best known for playing Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, with his performance often cited as a significant reason for the program's success.[1][2][3] He has received several awards for his perfomance, including the Television Critics Association award for the highest individual achievements in comedy,[4] the National Association of Broadcasters Television Chairman's Award for a significant break-through in one or more specific art discipline,[5] the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series[6] and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.
Early life
Jim Parsons was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the older of two children.[7] After playing the role of the Kola-Kola bird in a school production of The Elephant's Child when he was six, Parsons was determined to become an actor.[7] As a child, Parsons was heavily influenced by sitcoms, particularly Three's Company, Family Ties, and The Cosby Show.[8] He attended Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas, a northern suburb of Houston. Parsons points to a role in Noises Off his junior year as the first time "I fully connected with the role I was playing and started to truly understand what it meant to be honest on stage".[7]
After graduating from high school, Parsons received an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston. He was very prolific during this time, appearing in 17 plays in 3 years. He was a founding member of Infernal Bridegroom Productions, and regularly appeared at the Stages Repertory Theater.[9] In 1999, Parsons left Houston to attend graduate school at the University of San Diego.[9] He was one of seven students accepted into a special two-year course in classical theater, taught in partnership with the Old Globe Theater. The director of the program, Rick Seer, later recalled having reservations about admitting Parsons. Seer recalled that "Jim is a very specific personality. He's thoroughly original, which is one reason he's been so successful. But we worried, ‘Does that adapt itself to classical theater, does that adapt itself to the kind of training that we're doing?' But we decided that he was so talented that we would give him a try and see how it worked out."[10] Parsons enjoyed school, and told an interviewer that he would have pursued a doctorate in acting if possible. According to him, school "was so safe!...you frequently would surprise yourself by what you were capable of, and you were not surprised by some things."[11] Parsons graduated in 2001[10] and moved to New York.[9]
Career
In New York, Parsons worked in off Broadway productions and appeared several times on television. In a much talked-about Quiznos commercial in 2003, Parsons played a man who had been raised by wolves and continued to nurse from his wolf "mother".[9] He had a recurring role on the television show Judging Amy[12] and appeared on the television series Ed.[9] Parsons also had minor roles in several movies, including Garden State and School for Scoundrels.[13]
Additionally, Parsons auditioned for 15–30 television pilots. On the rare occasions when he was cast in the role, the show generally failed to be purchased by a television network.[9] The exception came with The Big Bang Theory. After reading the pilot script, Parsons felt that the role of Sheldon Cooper was a very good fit for him.[7] Although Parsons did not feel any sort of relationship with the character, he was enchanted by the dialogue structure. Parsons was struck by the way the writers "brilliantly use those words that most of us don't recognize to create that rhythm. And the rhythm got me. It was the chance to dance through that dialogue, and in a lot of ways still is."[8]
In his audition for the role, Parsons impressed series creator Chuck Lorre so much that Lorre insisted on a second audition to see if Parsons could replicate the performance.[9] Parsons was hired for the role and plays a genius physicist with nonexistent social skills who interacts with his other nerdy friends and the attractive waitress who lives across the hall.[9] The role requires Parsons to "rattle off line after line of tightly composed, rhythmic dialogue, and then do something with his face or body during the silence that follows."[9] Parsons credits his training at the University of San Diego with giving him the tools to break down Sheldon's lines.[7]
Television critic Andrew Dansby compares Parsons' physical comedy to that of Buster Keaton and other silent film stars. Lorre praises Parsons' instincts, saying that "You can't teach that."[9] Lorre describes Parsons' "great sense of control over every part of his body, the way he walks, holds his hands, cocks his head, the facial tics" as "inspired".[13] Reviewer Lewis Beale describes Parsons' performance as "so spot-on, it seems as if the character and the actor are the same person."[8] Parsons admits that the work is "more effort than I ever thought a sitcom would take. And that's really the fun of it."[8]
In August 2009, Parsons won the Television Critics Association award for individual achievement in comedy, beating Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, and Neil Patrick Harris.[8][14] He was nominated for Emmy awards in 2009 and 2010, winning in 2010 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.[15] In September 2010, Parsons and his costars Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco signed new contracts, guaranteeing each of them $200,000 per episode for the fourth season of The Big Bang Theory, with substantial raises for each of the next three seasons. The three were also promised a percentage of the show's earnings.[16] In January, 2011 he won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy.
Personal life
Parsons currently lives in Los Angeles.[17] He is 6 feet 2 inches tall. His hobbies include playing the piano and watching sports, especially tennis, baseball, and basketball.[18] . His longtime partner is art producer Todd Spiewak.
Theatre
Infernal Bridegroom Theatre, Houston and New York Theatre
- The Balcony
- The Cherrry Orchard (1994) .... Yasha, a young man servant (Infernal Bridgroom Theatre)
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1994) .... Rosencrantz
- La Ronde (1995)
- Endgame (1995) .... Clov
- Guys and Dolls (1996) .... Rusty Charlie
- Eddie Goes to Poetry City (1996) .... Eddie (New York Theatre)
- Jack and the Future Is In Eggs (1996) .... Father Jack
- Woyzeck (1996) .... Doctor / Horse's Head
- Chilli Queen (1997) .... Buddy
- Camino Real (1997) .... Baron (Infernal Bridegroom Theatre)
- Last Rites (1997) .... Tiger Clean
- Threepenny Opera (1998) .... MacHeath
- Bellow The Bell (1998) .... Dobbitt
- In the Jungle of the Cities (1998) .... J. Finnay
- Tamalalia 3: The Coctail Party (1998) .... Psychotic psychiatrist
- King Ubu is King (1998) .... Tom, Mister Nice Guy
- Marie and Bruce (1999) .... Herb / Fred / Waiter
- What Happened Was (2002) .... Jackie (The Paradise Theatre)
- The Castle (2002) .... Jeremiah (New York Theatre)
- Tartuffe (2002) .... Valère (La Jolla Playhouse)
- The Love for Three Oranges (Gozzi) (2004) .... Prince Tartaglia (La Jolla Playhouse)
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Nowhere to Go But Up | Casting assistant | |
| 2004 | Garden State | Tim | |
| 2005 | The King's Inn | Sidney | |
| The Great New Wonderful | Justin | ||
| Heights | Oliver | ||
| 2006 | 10 Items or Less | Receptionist | |
| School for Scoundrels | Classmate | Cameo | |
| 2007 | On the Road with Judas | Jimmy Pea | |
| Gardener of Eden | Spim |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Ed | Chet | Episode: "The Road" |
| 2003 | Why Blitt? | Mike | TV Pilot |
| 2004 | Taste | Kris | TV Pilot |
| 2004–2005 | Judging Amy | Rob Holbrook | 7 episodes |
| 2007–present | The Big Bang Theory | Sheldon Cooper | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy |
| 2009 | Family Guy | Sheldon Cooper | Episode: "Business Guy" |
| 2010 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Draven | Episode: "Jackie's Get-Witch-Quick Scheme" |
| 2011 | The Super Hero Squad Show | Nightmare | Episode: "Blind Rage Knows No Color" |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Up 2 You + Me" Featuring Jim Parsons (Music Video)[19] | Himself | Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Initiative |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Result | Category | Award Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Nominated | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Ewwy Awards |
| 2009 | Nominated | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Emmy Awards |
| Won | Individual Achievement in Comedy | TCA Awards | |
| Nominated | Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Series | Satellite Awards | |
| 2010 | Nominated | Favorite TV Comedy Actor | People's Choice Awards |
| Nominated | Individual Achievement in Comedy | TCA Awards | |
| Nominated | Choice TV Actor: Comedy | Teen Choice Award | |
| Won | Outstanding Lead Actor In a Comedy Series | Emmy Awards | |
| 2011 | Won | Best performance in a television series - musical or comedy | Golden Globe Awards |
References
- ^ Oswald, Brad. "The buzz: Jim Parsons as Sheldon". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ Salem, Rob (24 January 2009). "Nerd herd doing a bang-up job". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ Gilbert, Matthew (8 February 2009). "Gentle twists on reliable formulas keep viewers hooked". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "TCA Awards hail 'True Blood' and (finally) 'Battlestar Galactica'". The LA Times. 2 August 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ^ "The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons to Receive 2010 NAB TV Chairman's Award". BusinessWire. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ "61st Primetime Emmy Awards | Academy of Television Arts & Sciences". Cdn.emmys.tv. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ^ a b c d e Cogan, Jennifer (September 8, 2010), "Klein Oak grad takes home Emmy", Klein Sun News
- ^ a b c d e Beale, Lewis (January 18, 2010), "TELEVISION Fast chat with Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons: Houston native says he doesn't speak Klingon", Houston Chronicle
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dansby, Andrew (September 20, 2009), "Jim Parsons find smart comedy role", Houston Chronicle, p. Zest, page 8
- ^ a b Martinez, Olivia (September 2010), "Alum sparks big bang at the Emmys", The Vista
- ^ "Comic Relief", Newsweek, September 11, 2009
- ^ Moore, Frazier (May 24, 2010), "Jim Parsons finds 'Big Bang Theory' stimulating", Press of Atlantic City
- ^ a b Keveney, Bill (December 8, 2008), "Big Bang-up role for Jim Parsons", USAToday
- ^ Jakle, Jeannie (August 5, 2009), "Jim Parsons adjusts to his celebrity role: Big Bang star leaps from Klein Oak grad to TV popularity", Houston Chronicle, p. Star, page 4
- ^ Vary, Adam B. (September 3, 2010), "Jim Parsons:The Things I Love Most", Entertainment Weekly
- ^ Schwartz, Missy (September 15, 2010), "'The Big Bang Theory' cast gets a big, fat raise", Entertainment Weekly
- ^ Getlen, Larry (27 April 2009). "'Big Bang Theory' Nerd May Get The Girl". NYPOST.com. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ "Jim Parsons - Jim Parsons Pictures, Biography, Movies". Poptower.com. 24 March 1973. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
- ^ ""Up 2 You + Me" Featuring Jim Parsons (Music Video)". http://www.standup2cancer.org/. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
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