Jim Parsons

James Joseph Parsons was born on March 24, 1973 in Houston, Texas. He is known for his Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning TV role as Sheldon Cooper on CBS's The Big Bang Theory.

He was raised in Spring, Texas, and attended Klein Oak High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and enrolled in graduate school at the University of San Diego in 1999. Throughout his education, Parsons took a keen interest in theatre, appearing regularly in shows at the Stages Repertory Theater, becoming a founding member of Infernal Bridegroom Productions, and completing a two-year course in classical acting in partnership with the Old Globe Theatre. He moved to New York City after his graduation in 2001.

He made his Off-Broadway debut as Jeremiah in Manhattan Ensemble Theater's production of Franz Kafka's The Castle, which opened in January 2002. He went on to appear in two productions for La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego: as Valère in Molière's Tartuffe in 2002 and as Prince Tartaglia in The Love for Three Oranges in 2004. Parsons made his Broadway debut in the critically acclaimed Broadway premiere of The Normal Heart in April 2011, with his portrayal of Tommy Boatwright earning him a Theatre World Award. He and the cast also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. He returned to Broadway in May 2012 to take on the lead role of Elwood P. Dowd in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Harvey at Studio 54 and once again returned to the same venue in May 2015 to play God in the Broadway premiere of An Act of God.

From 2002 until 2006, Parsons appeared in small roles in several television series and films, including Ed, Garden State, School for Scoundrels, and as Rod Holbrook in Judging Amy. He got his big break after being cast as Sheldon Cooper in CBS's hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory. From 2007 to 2019, he starred in a total of 279 episodes, won a Golden Globe in 2011, received two further Golden Globe nominations in 2013 and 2014, won a total of four Emmy Awards in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, and received two additional Emmy Award nominations in 2009 and 2012. Other notable screen credits over the years include his Emmy-nominated performance in the 2014 TV movie adaptation of The Normal Heart as well as roles in The Muppets, Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas, DreamWorks Animation's Home, Hidden Figures, Young Sheldon, and Hollywood.

Parsons returned to Broadway to take on the role of Michael in the 50th anniversary production of The Boys in the Band from April 30 through August 11, 2018. He starred in the Off-Broadway revival of A Man of No Importance in 2022 and returns to Broadway in 2024 in Paula Vogel's Mother Play.