Last Updated on February 27, 2024
Who Is Jim Parsons?
James Joseph Parsons, better known as Jim Parsons, is an American actor, voice actor, and producer.
Parsons appeared in several stage productions, movies, and television shows from the early 90s before landing his big break in the CBS sitcom ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ He portrayed Sheldon Cooper in the series from 2007 until production stopped in 2019.
Jim Parsons Quick Facts
Full Name: | James Joseph Parsons |
Popular Name: | Jim Parsons |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | March 24, 1973 |
Age: | 49 years |
Parents: | Milton Joseph “Mickey/Jack” Parsons Jr. and Judy Ann McKnight-Parsons |
Siblings: | Julie Parsons |
Birth Place: | Houston, Texas, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Mixed (German, French, Irish, Scottish, and English) |
Education: | Klein Oak High School, the University of Houston, and the University of San Diego |
Marital Status: | Married to art director Todd Spiewak (from 2017) |
Sexual Orientation: | Gay |
Wife/Spouse: | Todd Spiewak |
Children: | None |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 180 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Film & Television Producing, Endorsement Deals, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 2″ (1.86 m) |
Weight: | 66 kg; In pounds: 145 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
James Joseph Parsons was born on March 24, 1973, in Houston, Texas, United States, to Milton Joseph “Mickey/Jack” Parsons Jr. and Judy Ann McKnight-Parsons.
Jim Parsons attended Klein Oak High School. After graduating from high school, Parsons proceeded to the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. He later enrolled in a two-year course in classical theater at the University of San Diego, eventually graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the university’s Old Globe Theatre in 2001.
Career Beginnings
Jim Parsons began appearing in stage productions from a fairly tender age. At the age of six, Parsons portrayed the Kola-Kola bird in a school production of ‘The Elephant‘s Child.’
Parsons continued to perfect his acting skills by featuring in numerous productions throughout his high school and college years. He’s noted for making 17 play appearances in three years while in college. He’s also credited for being a pioneer of Infernal Bridegroom Productions and making regular appearances at the Stages Repertory Theater.
As of the time of writing (July 10, 2022), Jim Parsons has made over 30 stage appearances. Most of his stage performances took place at the Infernal Bridegroom Productions.
Film and Television Career
Jim Parsons made his television debut in a 2002 episode of ‘Ed.’ The following year, Parsons landed his debut film role in ‘Happy End.’
In 2004, Parsons appeared in the film ‘Garden State.’ The same year, he began starring as Rob Holbrook in the series ‘Judging Amy’ and went on to feature in seven episodes of the show until 2005.
In 2005, Jim Parsons featured in the films ‘Heights’ and ‘The Great New Wonderland.’ Thereafter, he was cast in the 2006 movies ’10 Items or Less’ and ‘School for Scoundrels.’
Parsons eventually landed his breakout role in 2007 when he began to portray Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory. He starred in the series throughout its 12 seasons until 2019.
The following are other noteworthy movies and television shows featuring Jim Parsons:
Films
• On the Road with Judas (2007)
• Gardener of Eden (2007)
• The Big Year (2011)
• Sunset Stories (2012)
• Wish I Was Here (2014)
• Visions (2015)
• Hidden Figures (2016)
• A Kid Like Jake (2018, also as a producer)
• Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
• The Boys in the Band (2020)
• Spoiler Alert (2022, also as a producer)
Television
• Family Guy (2009 and 2012, as a voice actor)
• Glenn Martin, DDS (2010, as a voice actor)
• Pound Puppies (2011, as a voice actor)
• iCarly (2011)
• The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange (2012, as a voice actor)
• Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (2012, as a voice actor)
• The Normal Heart (2014)
• Michael Jackson‘s Halloween (2017, as a voice actor)
• Young Sheldon (2017 – present, as a voice actor)
• The Simpsons (2020)
• Staged (2021)
Production Career
In 2015, Jim Parsons and his husband Todd Spiewak founded the production company That’s Wonderful Productions.
Parsons has produced quite a few projects through the company, including the films ‘A Kid Like Jake’ and ‘Spoiler Alert,’ as well as the television shows Young Sheldon, Special (2019 – 2021), Hollywood (2020), and Call Me Kat (2021 – present).
Awards and Recognitions
Jim Parsons is the recipient of four Primetime Emmy Awards in the category ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.’
Parsons has also received:
• 1 TCA Award
• 1 TV Guide Award
• 1 Gold Derby TV Award
• 1 GLAAD Media Award
• 1 Satellite Award
• 1 Screen Actors Guild Award
• 1 Kid’s Choice Award
• 1 Teen Choice Award
• 2 Critics’ Choice Television Awards
• 3 People’s Choice Award
• 1 Golden Globe Award
• 4 Online Film & Television Association Awards
Jim Parsons’ Net Worth
As of 2023, Jim Parsons had a net worth of $180 million. Parsons attributes his humongous wealth to his long acting career.
While Jim Parsons has featured in tons of stage productions, films, and television shows during his professional acting career, The Big Bang Theory remains his highest income earner to date. Parsons earned $60,000 per episode during the first season of the sitcom. That works out to slightly over $1 million for season one.
From the second to the fourth seasons of Big Bang, Parsons’ salary leaped to $250,000 per episode. That translates to $17.5 million for the three seasons.
Jim Parsons continued to negotiate lucrative salary hikes throughout the rest of The Big Bang Theory seasons. He earned $350,000 per episode for seasons five to seven (which comes to $25.2 million for the period) and $1.2 million per episode for seasons eight, nine, and ten (which translates to $86 million). For the eleventh and twelfth seasons, Parsons pocketed $1 million per episode or $48 million for the two seasons.
By the time The Big Bang Theory ceased production in 2019, Jim Parsons had earned a cool $177.7 million in salary alone from the sitcom.
Parsons’ earnings from the Big Bang have likely increased by several millions, thanks to syndication revenues. During the later seasons of the sitcom, Parsons negotiated a deal where he would own a 1% stake of the series’ backend equity.
Big Bang generated more than $1 billion in syndication sales during the first year of syndication. That means Parsons earned an additional $10 million for that first year. According to estimates, the actor would pocket approximately $10 million in annual syndication earnings for the next decade.
Besides acting, Jim Parsons also draws his paychecks from production and endorsement deals.
Lessons from Jim Parsons
1. Start early
Jim Parsons began acting at the tender age of six. That’s part of the reason he was able to emerge as one of the greatest actors of his time.
2. Maintain originality in all your pursuits
Parsons is noted for being thoroughly original in his play performances, television sitcoms, and even films. Again, that’s one of the reasons the Big Bang star has been so successful.
3. Take pride in your identity
Jim Parsons is proudly gay. He doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge his sexual orientation even on platforms where doing so would attract some backlash.
Famous Quotes by Jim Parsons
• As a human being, you know that there are some days when you’d rather not talk to anybody – but I can’t really do that anymore without appearing rude.
• I feel like the universe is so big it’d be foolish to pull out the “no” for it.
• I think intelligence is usually sexy until it becomes irritating. After that, you’re stuck.
• To have a job you can count on as an actor is so rare, whether that means belonging to a regional theater company or being on TV.
• You learn a lot as a kid, like you don’t know anything. I didn’t know what was gonna happen if I opened the door. I thought I was gonna be in another world somehow.
Conclusion
Jim Parsons is one of the most talented actors of his generation. Although he’s probably best known for his role in The Big Bang Theory, Parsons has been acting since the early 90s. He has accumulated a net worth of $180 million as of 2023.