Summary
- Jim Parsons discovered fascinating family history, including an intellectual great-grandfather who dined with Benjamin Franklin.
- Parsons faced emotional struggles growing up due to his sexuality, but felt immense relief after coming out to the public.
- Almost lost role on The Big Bang Theory for being too polished, but ultimately became the highest-paid actor in the world.
Jim Parsons has enjoyed a fantastic career in Hollywood thanks to his contributions on The Big Bang Theory. During his early days on the show, the actor decided to learn more about his family history. Parsons went on a deep hunt, finding out the remarkable history behind his sixth great-grandfather.
We'll take a look at what Parsons found out, and why he was very emotional about his family ancestry. We'll also take a look at the difficulties Parsons faced growing up, and how the actor got his role on The Big Bang Theory.
Let's get started.
Jim Parsons Found Out That One Of His Great Grandfather's Was An Intellectual That Had Peers Like Benjamin Franklin
Jim Parsons himself was stunned by this revelation. Over a decade ago, he appeared on TLC's Who Do You Think You Are? Parsons was in search of a greater knowledge of his family history. He was in for quite the treat as ties were made to France. Louis Francois Trouard was quite an intellectual and happened to be his sixth grandfather.
Trouard was an architect to the King at the time, a prestigious position. Parsons was also shown a list of his correspondents, which included some major names. John Adams, Father Raynal, and Benjamin Franklin all had dinner with Trouard, Parsons' sixth great-grandfather. Parsons was shocked to learn that his ancestors knew some of the greatest thinkers ever.
Jim's reaction is definitely worth a watch.
Parsons was also particularly emotional when he was standing in a church that was created by his own great-grandfather. It was a memorable moment for the actor and one he won't forget. Heck, Parsons realizing his family ancestry could've also made for one heck of a Big Bang Theory episode, with Sheldon finding out such information about his family.
Jim Parsons Admitted He Struggled Growing Up Due To His Sexuality
Everyone faces their own struggles. Parsons' sixth great-grandfather had a great position. However, architects were frowned upon during his time, making life that much more difficult. As for Jim, he had problems of his own, and that included a struggle growing up as gay.
Parsons admits he avoided this part of his life for years, and that included the visuals of pride parades.
"The sight of pride parades frightened me, because I knew that there were plenty of people around me — whether they were in my life or I just was aware of them — that derided this show of pride," he explained.
"My only feelings were, I’m going to avoid that area of town because I don’t like crowds."
"No offense to the lovely men I dated before Todd, but somewhere deep inside, I immediately knew that there was no choice left but to deal with this, because to not let them in on this person I had met was to officially start putting up these lifelong barriers."
Once Parsons came out, he felt a huge sense of relief.
"Once it was out in the public, I was like, ‘Well, f— you! If you still have a problem with gay people, you directly have a problem with me. Being a full-fledged member of it and claiming it, there was just an elation there, and there still is! 'I still feel it. It’s a huge relief, and it’s also really nice to sometimes be able to feel righteous anger," he said.
A great moment for Parsons and one that changed his life.
Jim Parsons Almost Lost His Role On TBBT For Being Too Polished
He became the highest-paid actor in the world back in 2017. However, things almost took a turn at the start. Chuck Lorre felt as though his audition was too polished, and he wouldn't be able to duplicate such a performance again. Thankfully, co-creator Bill Prady was the voice of reason, and Parsons got the role.
- Jim Parsons said goodbye to a $1 million per episode salary when he decided to step down from TBBT.
Looking back at the audition, Parsons knew he nailed it. But he admitted the lines were not easy to memorize, and that theme continued throughout the show.
Parsons tells THR, "I worked my ass off on it! You have no idea how well memorized I was. Sheldon has so much to say sometimes — it's not as bad as it used to be — and it was really dense and it was clear to me that the humor that was built into this was only if these dense pieces flowed very easily. I drilled the s--- out of it! I was very scared — and excited to present it to them — but scared because I knew that once the train started, if I messed up, I didn't know what would happen."
It all worked out in the end, as Parsons absolutely thrived in the role.
