Summary
- Jim Parsons always knew he wanted to be an actor, even from a young age when fame didn't make sense to him.
- Despite considering a backup career, Parsons realized he missed being on stage and had to go back to acting.
- While The Big Bang Theory made Parsons a Hollywood star, it was actually his minor role in Garden State that helped launch his career.
Today, Jim Parsons is one of the most successful Hollywood stars around, having risen to fame after landing the part of Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Since then, the Houston native has also received much critical acclaim for his performances in dramas like The Boys in the Band and The Normal Heart.
Unbeknownst to many, however, there was almost a time when Parsons considered giving up on his acting dream and taking on a different career path altogether.
Jim Parsons Always Wanted To Be An Actor
Some actors don’t realize how much they want the job until later on. For Parsons, however, acting had always been his one dream. He once recalled how he knew he wanted to act “from a very early age,” although he “couldn't have known what that meant, as far as fame — that didn't make sense to me.”
And so, while attending the University of Houston, Parsons immersed himself in theater work. He went on to do as many as 17 plays in just three years before leaving Houston for New York in 1999.
Once he got to the Big Apple, Parsons found a job on Broadway. He also landed a part in a Quiznos commercial and even booked some small TV roles.
His TV debut was in the Emmy-nominated series Ed, which was headlined by Julie Bowen, Tom Cavanagh, and Josh Randall. In one episode, Bowen and Slattery for looking for a place to tie the knot and that’s when they encounter Parson’s Chet who is a park ranger.
In the years that followed, Parsons also went on to book more roles. He even played the recurring character Rob Holbrook in the hit early 2000s series Judging Amy. At the same time, Parsons also started to book film roles, making his big screen debut in the rom-com Happy End, which is headlined by Audrey Tatou and Justin Theroux.
Jim Tried To Pursue A Different Career Path, But It Didn't Work Out
Now, Parsons may have been set on becoming an actor from the start, but there was also a part of him that wanted to have a backup plan just in case. Parsons reflected on how hard it is to get anything made in Hollywood.
Looking back, he may have just opted to get a business degree or “do something that a sane person would do.” He added, “The odds are just not there.” He took a year off from acting during his first year at college, and it was an eye-opening moment.
Despite trying to quit acting and find a more responsible career path, Jim said he missed being on the stage in theater and had to go back to it.
And while Parsons would go on to win four Emmys throughout his career, the actor has also worked to give himself more stability in Hollywood. Back in 2015, Parsons launched That’s Wonderful Productions, which he runs with husband Todd Spiewak.
The company went on to sign an overall deal with Warner Bros. TV. So far, this led to several projects, including the Netflix comedy series Special and the Fox series Call Me Kat, which stars Mayim Bialik. It’s unclear if Parsons’ deal was among those suspended by Warner Bros. TV due to the Hollywood strikes.
The Big Bang Theory Wasn't Jim's Breakthrough
Now, The Big Bang Theory may have turned Parsons into a Hollywood star but if fans must know, this wasn’t the project that essentially propelled the actor to success. Reflecting on his career, Parsons believes that it had been Braff’s Garden State that allowed him to make it in the business.
Sure, he was only cast in a minor role, as Tim, the knight at Medieval Times. But in his interview, Parsons explained that the cult classic was “really big for me.” Garden State was one film that got people talking, although not necessarily about Parsons’ onscreen performance. That said, casting directors were familiar enough with the movie that it served as a “calling card” for the actor.
True enough, Parsons landed his The Big Bang Theory role soon after (he was even around for that failed pilot). And while it’s unclear if creator Chuck Lorre saw the actor in Garden State, Parsons made quite an impression the moment he auditioned for the sitcom.
That said, his performance also left Lorre with mixed feelings. While speaking on the podcast At Home with the Creative Coalition, Bill Prady, who co-created the show with Lorre, recalled the showrunner being hesitant about hiring Parsons even after nailing his audition.
Now, Parsons delivered a perfect audition, even portraying Sheldon exactly as fans would see the character onscreen, Lorre was initially convinced that it would be a one-time thing. “Chuck turned and he said, 'Nah, he's gonna break your heart. He'll never give you that performance again,’” Prady recalled.
But then, Parsons returns and delivers the same performance. That’s when Lorre finally became convinced that the actor was going to be their Sheldon.
Since then, Parsons and Lorre have gone on to collaborate again on The Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon. The show received a three-year renewal contract back in 2021.
