CBS

Jim Parsons

­In 2010, Jim Parsons won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series," and in 2011 he won the Golden Globe Award for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical," for his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on THE BIG BANG THEORY. His performance also earned him a People's Choice nomination for "Favorite TV Comedy Actor" and the 2010 NAB Television Chairman's Award, which honors significant breakthroughs in television. Parsons was nominated for the TCA Award for "Individual Achievement in Comedy" two years in a row (2009 and 2010), and won the award in 2009. Recently, he received a nomination for "Best Actor in a Comedy Series" by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association for its very first Critics' Choice Television Awards.
In 2011, Parsons received a Theatre World Award for his debut Broadway performance as Tommy Boatwright in the Tony Award-winning revival of "The Normal Heart," starring opposite Ellen Barkin, John Benjamin Hickey and Joe Mantello. "The Normal Heart" was also presented with the Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Revival of a Play" and "Outstanding Ensemble Performance." A critical sensation, the show also received nominations from The Outer Critics Circle for "Outstanding Revival of a Play," as well as five Tony Award nominations. The play ended its 12-week run at the Golden Theatre on July 10. Parsons' additional stage credits include "The Castle" for the Manhattan Ensemble Theater, "The Countess" for the Globe Theater, and "The Tempest" and "As You Like It" for the Houston Shakespeare Festival.
Later this year, Parsons will guest star on an episode of the sitcom "iCarly," starring Miranda Cosgrove.
On the big screen, Parsons will appear this fall in the comedy "The Big Year," opposite Rashida Jones, Anjelica Huston, Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. Directed by David Frankel, the film is based on Mark Obmascik's tome about three men who try to outdo each other during a year-long competition to spot the rarest birds in North America. Parsons will play an avid birder in the contest. He will also appear in the upcoming feature film, "The Muppets," opening in theaters Thanksgiving 2011.
His other film credits include Todd Phillips' "School for Scoundrels," opposite Billy Bob Thorton and Jon Heder, and Chris Terrio's "Heights" opposite Glenn Close and James Marsden. Parsons also delivered scene-stealing performances in several independent films, including "Garden State," "Gardner of Eden" and "The Great New Wonderful."
Parsons earned a Masters in Fine Arts degree from the Old Globe Theater/University of San Diego and a BA from the University of Houston. Born and raised in Houston, he now resides in Los Angeles. His birth date is March 24.