Jim Parsons

Date of Birth

24 March 1973, Houston, Texas, USA

Birth Name

James Joseph Parsons

Nickname

Jimmy Pea

Height

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Mini Biography

Having grown up in Houston, Texas and making his first stage appearance in a school play at the age of 6, Parsons went on to study theater at the University of Houston. From there he won a place on a two-year Masters course in classical theater at the University of San Diego/The Old Globe Theater, graduating in 2001.

He moved to New York, working in Off-Broadway productions, appearing in TV commercials and in one episode of "Ed" (2000) before landing a recurring role in "Judging Amy" (1999) in 2004.

He was propelled to international fame and acclaim three years later when he starred as Sheldon in the award-winning sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory" (2007).

Trivia

Was a member of Infernal Bridegroom Productions, a Houston-based theater company.

Worked for Microsoft Sidewalk in Houston as an assistant for Megan Halverson.

1991 graduate of Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas.

Played a bird in his first school play in elementary school.

Favorite show growing up was "Three's Company" (1976).

Is prone to motion sickness. Riding in a car will make him nauseated so he prefers to drive.

He is good friends with "The Big Bang Theory" (2007) co-stars Simon Helberg and Kaley Cuoco.

Jim's favorite character on "The Big Bang Theory" (2007) is Penny.

Jim's theatrical credits include Endgame, Guys and Dolls, What Happened Was and The Balcony.

He enjoys watching "Lost" (2004), "American Idol" (2002), and "Grey's Anatomy" (2005).

His mother, Judy Parsons, is a first grade teacher, his father, who passed away in a car accident, in 2001, was the president of a plumbing company. His younger sister, Julie Parsons, is also a teacher. Judy and Julie work at the same school, and have shared a classroom.

Voted friendliest in his high school graduating class.

Alumnus of the University of San Diego.

Received his MFA in Acting from The Old Globe/University of San Diego's Professional Actor Training Program.

In 1996, he earned an undergraduate degree in theatre from the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Houston.

Received his 2010-2011 Golden Globe from Matt Bomer, a fellow graduate of the Klein Independent School District. Parsons graduated from Klein Oak, Bomer from Klein High School.

An early influence was Johnny Carson.

Made his Broadway debut in 2011 as Tommy Boatwright in "The Normal Heart".

Took piano classes for 14 years.