The Tragic True Story Of Jim Parsons

For 12 years, Jim Parsons delighted the masses as the highly intelligent yet socially unaware Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory." Soon after the show premiered on CBS in 2007, Parsons and his Spock-loving on-screen persona became cultural icons, with his image and quotes ("Bazinga!") plastered on T-shirts and other merchandise around the world. There was something about Parsons' delivery as Sheldon — self-centered but loveable — that made him a household name and catapulted him into stardom.

Such fame and success was a long time coming for Parsons, who was in his early 30s when "The Big Bang Theory" premiered and he could finally celebrate his breakout role. When it came to pursuing a career as an actor, he had a rough go of it from childhood, when his mother, Judy Parsons, was hesitant to support such a risky endeavor. In fact, Parsons' life as a whole wasn't the easiest. From losing his father at a young age in a tragic accident to feelings of fear around coming out as gay, Parsons has had his share of trials and tribulations.

Even after achieving success in Hollywood, life wasn't all smooth sailing ... especially during those dark days when Parsons made the difficult decision to step away from "The Big Bang Theory." And as someone who tends to live privately, being approached in public by fans was — and continues to be — something that he struggles to adjust to. Read on for the full tragic true life story of Parsons.

Jim Parsons was always destined to entertain. In the book "The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series" by Jessica Radloff, Judy Parsons recalled how, as a child, her son expressed strong aspirations of being in front of an audience, from theater, film, and TV to appearing on the local news as a meteorologist (a brief dream he held in fifth grade). Despite the unwavering passion that Jim felt for this career path throughout middle and high school, he didn't have the full support of his mother at first.

"[W]hen he went to college — as much as I hate to say it — I did not want him to major in theater. We were a middle-class, working family, and we lived very nicely, but I thought, 'Oh, Jim, you just can't do that! Look at the low percentage of people who actually make it,'" said Judy.

Eventually, it was Jim's father, Jack Parsons, who helped Judy embrace her son's dreams. Jim switched his major from communications to theater at the University of San Diego, where he honed his acting chops with the full support of both parents. When Jim eventually achieved unprecedented success on television, Broadway, and beyond, Judy was right by his side cheering him on. In fact, an entire guest room in her house is dedicated to Jim's work, complete with a pillow that says, "This is my spot."

Jim Parsons' father may have been his first cheerleader as he began to pursue his longtime acting aspirations, but sadly, Jack Parsons didn't get to see them come to fruition. In 2001, only six years before his son would go on to become a household name thanks to "The Big Bang Theory," Jack tragically passed away in a car accident. It was a devastating blow to Jim, Judy Parsons, and his sister, Julie Parsons.

During an episode of "Long Island Medium," which aired in January 2016, Theresa Caputo was allegedly able to connect Jim and Julie with their late father. It was an emotional experience for the siblings, who learned from Caputo that Jack, in spirit, still delivers red roses to their mother each August, their anniversary month. Three years later, Jim received further closure surrounding Jack's death from Tyler Henry on "Hollywood Medium." Since it was a solo accident, with Jack discovered by a passerby, the Parsons always wondered whether anything could've been done to save him if he was found sooner.

Henry told Jim (via E! News), "...he is having me talk about wanting anyone to let go of this idea that there could have been a medical response any faster. He puts a big red X through this and is like, 'It wouldn't have made a difference how quickly there was a response. I unfortunately was going to pass away anyway.'"

Even in his youth, Jim Parsons knew he was gay. However, for a long time, he didn't feel comfortable coming out to loved ones, let alone the public. In fact, he once staunchly avoided pride parades. It wasn't because he didn't want to attend and be part of the community. Rather, he worried about the opinions of others.

It wasn't until 2002, when he began dating Todd Spiewak, that he came out to his family and introduced them to the man who would eventually become his husband. It was another decade before Parsons came out to the public in a New York Times article. Now, after starring in the Broadway play "The Boys in the Band," a drama centering around a group of gay men that was later adapted for Netflix, Parsons is embracing his true self ... whether everyone likes it or not.

"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,'" he told Variety. "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."

While some actors are catapulted into the spotlight, this wasn't the case for Jim Parsons. After college and throughout his 20s, he hustled to build his resume — and afford rent — by taking on as many small TV and film roles, in addition to commercials and off-Broadway productions, as possible.

"There was plenty of time on unemployment. There was plenty of time at the Coinstar cashing in for a night out," Parsons said in an interview with TODAY. "I am grateful though that a success like the TV show didn't happen until I was in my 30s."

When he was able to finally enjoy that success, it meant more to him after years of hard work than if it came overnight. Ken Miller, casting director for "The Big Bang Theory," recalled in "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," "At the last table read of the [first] season, Jim burst into tears because he was just so grateful to be a part of a show that had made it a full season." 

Ultimately, Parsons went from struggling to make ends meet to being one of the top-earning actors on television, raking in $1 million per episode in later seasons. He also went from being associated with failed projects, like the poorly-received 2006 remake of "School for Scoundrels," to a four-time Emmy winner for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series.

It's almost impossible to imagine anyone but Jim Parsons playing the role of Sheldon Cooper. From his intellectual monologues to fan-favorite moments like the ball pit scene, there's something magical about Parsons' delivery that makes the character a delightful blend of irritating and lovable. However, according to co-creator Bill Prady, Chuck Lorre wasn't immediately sold on Parsons' audition, despite it being pretty much perfect. In fact, the role of Sheldon was initially offered by Lorre to Johnny Galecki, who turned it down in favor of Leonard Hofstadter. 

"He created that character at that audition," Prady said of Parsons on the "Hollywood at Home" podcast by The Creative Coalition (via People). "And he left the room and I turned and went, 'That's the guy! That's the guy! That's the guy!' And Chuck turned and he said, 'Nah, he's gonna break your heart. He'll never give you that performance again.'"

Much to Prady's delight, he was proven right during Parsons' next audition, which was another dynamic performance. Parsons had already nailed down the mannerisms, quirks, and cadence of Sheldon that would soon win the hearts of millions, cementing the character as a pop culture icon.

After waiting so long for his big break as an actor, Jim Parsons didn't take his involvement in "The Big Bang Theory" lightly. He was extremely grateful for the opportunity and wanted his performance to be flawless. This was especially true in the early days of the show, when he preferred to stay at home on weekends, meticulously writing down every one of his lines on index cards.

He said in "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," "There wasn't a set piece that didn't have my scripts or note cards in it."

Eventually, Todd Spiewak forced Parsons to take a step back and relax, packing a suitcase and driving him to Montecito, where they joined the rest of the cast and their significant others for a getaway. Parsons wasn't pleased, recalling, "I was just like, 'You people have lost your f****** minds! I have to stay here and practice. I have to be ready whenever I feel the moment comes to be able to go through these lines again.'" Though he ended up obliging to the trip, the note cards came along as well. Still, Parsons cut down on his rehearsal hours, realizing that he didn't need to overexert himself to achieve a stellar performance.

Just as Jim Parsons traded in weekend plans for rehearsing and index card creation, he gave up any vices that he felt might negatively impact this chance of a lifetime. After Parsons got word that the original, unaired pilot — in which Penny (Kaley Cuoco) didn't yet exist — was going to be reimagined, and that there was a chance "The Big Bang Theory" would be moving forward, he made the decision to give up alcohol. Unintentionally, he remained sober for nine years.

"It's not that anything got out of hand, but I knew that there was work ahead, and I wanted to be ready for it," he said in "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series." "I wanted to get out of this limbo-ish haze that was going on, but I still didn't have anything to work on since we were waiting on a new date to shoot the pilot. So it was kind of my own project I could give myself."

As part of his mission to be at the top of his game, Parsons also followed a low sugar and carb diet. However, this restrictive lifestyle took a toll. Nikki Lorre, assistant director, said in the book, "There were certain years we were worried about Jim because he started getting really skinny and was just clearly stressed out because the role itself, not just the fame, became very, very challenging." Eventually, Parsons found a good balance between work, life and health, even joining co-star Kaley Cuoco for a drink after nine years of working together, much to her excitement.

The decision to leave "The Big Bang Theory" wasn't an easy one for Jim Parsons to make. However, it was a necessary one. The summer before shooting began for Season 12 was tumultuous, with Parsons' emotions and stress levels at an all-time high. While in New York City starring on Broadway in "The Boys in the Band," Parsons and Todd Spiewak's beloved dog Otis, who they had since he was eight weeks old, passed away at 14.

"Otis was this emblem, basically representative of me and Todd, our time together, and all these major life events. It was the end of an era, and his passing brought a sense of clarity for me," Parsons said in "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series."

Ultimately, Otis' passing forced Parsons to take a step back, reevaluate his life, and realize that he was exhausted. In addition to prepping for Season 12 and appearing on Broadway, he was filming commercials on his days off and healing a broken foot. During this time, he also thought a lot about his late father, who was only a few years older than him at the time of his passing. Parsons recalled on "David Tennant Does a Podcast With..." (via TODAY), "I said, 'If you told me that, like my father, I had six years left to live, I think there's other things I need to try and do. I don't know what they are, but I can tell that I need to try.'"

When Jim Parsons accepted the fact that he had to move on from "The Big Bang Theory" after 12 seasons, he informed show creator Chuck Lorre ... but not his costars. It was during an impromptu meeting in Lorre's office that Parsons broke the news to the entire group. Though no one expected the show to go on forever, the cast was upset over how Parsons announced his departure after more than a decade of working together.

In "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series," Johnny Galecki said, "I was shocked. We were just blindsided that day. And not necessarily shocked by Jim's decision, but that he hadn't had that conversation with his castmates first to prepare us. So yes, it could have been handled better. We're a family; have a conversation."

Still, after that initial shock wore off, Galecki and the rest realized that it was for the best. Knowing that Season 12 would be their last, they could end their epic run on a high note and make it as memorable as possible for the fans and each other. Kaley Cuoco said in the book, "It wasn't like we ended and realized we weren't coming back. That's when I wanted to do the big flash mob again and a big dance and have fun days on set. And it was cool because I didn't take a moment of it for granted."

Jim Parsons may be one of the most well-known TV stars in the world, but that doesn't mean he's used to — or enjoys — being approached by people in public, even after approximately two decades in the spotlight. While he understands that true fans of his work are coming from a genuine place, he's grown weary of those that only want a selfie for bragging rights on social media.

"[W]ith the advent of smartphones with cameras on them, at times you feel like another piece of architecture that someone is passing by that they want a picture of," Parsons said in "The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series."

He went on to explain that, over the years, he's gotten better at setting boundaries and not feeling obligated to grant every request. Especially when he's out and about with his husband, Parsons is known to decline fan photos and autographs, saying, "It's a piece of collateral to post or whatever. And again, at a certain level I get it, but I don't necessarily have to take part in that." Hopefully, fans take heed and don't wind up like Sheldon, who had restraining orders from several of his favorite celebrities, including Leonard Nimoy and Stan Lee, taken out against him.

The seventh and final season of "Young Sheldon" was a heart-wrenching one, with Cooper patriarch George (Lance Barber) experiencing the fatal heart attack that audiences were anticipating since the show premiered. However, creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro didn't want to end things on a sad note. Instead, they opted for a much-needed dose of nostalgia, reuniting Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik to reprise their roles of Sheldon Cooper and Amy Farrah Fowler for a special cameo.

Parsons wasn't immediately on board for the cameo, a humorous scene in which Amy calls out Sheldon for fabricating some aspects of his childhood in his memoir. Simply put, Parsons already said goodbye to the character and was pursuing other endeavors. But upon learning what the scene was going to be, his feelings changed. 

"I felt a slight hesitancy when they first asked, just as I thought, I don't really want to go revisit the character," Parsons told People. "But the way that they wrote it in was, I thought, so beautiful, that it ended up being like this little extra coda or whatever to my experience with the character."