Super Surprising Jim Parsons Facts Every Big Bang Theory Fan Should Know

You know him as The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, but how well do you know Jim Parsons?

1. You know him as The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, but how well do you know Jim Parsons?

The lovable, sarcastic, whip-smart Sheldon graces our screens on The Big Bang Theory. But who is the man behind the genius? That's James "Jim" Joseph Parsons. Sheldon's cool, without a doubt. But Jim Parsons is pretty amazing himself. 

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He worked hard to get to the top

2. He worked hard to get to the top

Jim Parsons put in more than a decade paying his dues before finally becoming a household name. That includes a few ill-fated pilots and many guest and recurring appearances on several networks. He also logged plenty of hours doing live theater. 

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He's (almost) too good to be true

3. He's (almost) too good to be true

Chuck Lorre, producer and writer of The Big Bang Theory, was so impressed by Jim Parson's audition for the part of Sheldon that he thought it was a fluke. He invited Jim back for a second audition to see if he could replicate his performance. The rest is history! 

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He cleans up with his co-stars

4. He cleans up with his co-stars

When the The Big Bang Theory crew hits the red carpet, they dominate the scene.

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He's a god among men

5. He's a god among men

Sure, Sheldon is Jim Parson's most famous role. But he's got another biggie on his acting resumé. In early 2015, he played God on Broadway. Yep, he's a big deal. 

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He's on wax

6. He's on wax

We're seeing double! Jim Parsons's wax figure sits at Madame Tussauds in Orlando. It took more than 250 precise measurements to make the figure as close to the real Jim as possible. 

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He has a hunch about why The Big Bang Theory is so popular

7. He has a hunch about why The Big Bang Theory is so popular

Jim Parsons has hypothesized about why a little show about "nerds" is such a huge hit. "There’s not anything to keep up with... You can enjoy our show without a weekly appointment." The fact that anyone can begin watching The Big Bang Theory at any point in the series might just be the magic.

And then there's the set design. “It’s a bit of eye candy in its own way ... Maybe it's just fun to look at." It most certainly is!

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He truly is a star

8. He truly is a star

In March 2015, Jim Parsons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's a deserved accolade for continued great work! 

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His house is tops

9. His house is tops

One of the first things Jim Parson's purchased with his paycheck from The Big Bang Theory was a house in Los Feliz, CA. He has since upgraded to a new Los Feliz pad that once belonged to a certain sexy actor who once played a well-known vampire named Edward Cullen. 

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One of his favorite The Big Bang Theory episodes is...

10. One of his favorite The Big Bang Theory episodes is...

Jim Parsons loves "The Werewolf Transformation." He enjoyed Sheldon's choice to let loose, allowing Penny to cut his hair and taking up the bongos. 

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He's a sports fan

11. He's a sports fan

Raised in Texas, Jim Parsons is a big Houston Rockets fan. He also enjoys watching football, golf, and tennis. 

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He knows the key to inspiring love

12. He knows the key to inspiring love

With Sheldon and Amy together and stronger than ever, Jim Parsons knows a thing or two about love. He and his IRL partner Todd Spiewak received GLESN's Inspiration Award in 2013. When asked for comment, he replied, "If we're inspiring at all, it's that we're a very average, normal, just-moving-right-along-with-our-lives kind of people."

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You'll never hear him whistle

13. You'll never hear him whistle

That's because he can't. That's one trait Jim has in common with the umbrella-wielding pop princess who starred in an animated film with him in 2015. ​

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This is Jim Parson's favorite song

14. This is Jim Parson's favorite song

Jim Parsons is a huge Joni Mitchell fan and his favorite song by the folk legend is "Down To You." Why?

"It’s a very old song, off her album Court And Spark, and it’s like a little movie every time I listen to it. I find it very moving," said Jim.

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He caught the acting bug at a young age

15. He caught the acting bug at a young age

Jim Parsons started acting in grade school, starring in school productions. He attended the University of Houston and then the University of San Diego. He also joined an exclusive, post-graduate, two-year course in theater acting. 

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He's a big celeb from the place where everything is bigger

16. He's a big celeb from the place where everything is bigger

Jim Parsons grew up in a suburb near Houston, Texas, called Spring. If you listen closely during interviews, you'll hear his gooey Southern drawl. 

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He's the opposite of a loser

17. He's the opposite of a loser

Jim Parsons's trophy scoreboard is enviable to all. He currently has four Emmys, two Critics Choice Awards, a Golden Globe, a People's Choice Award, and a Teen Choice Award. Plus, the nominations keep on coming!

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This is why Jim Parsons loves playing Sheldon

18. This is why Jim Parsons loves playing Sheldon

Jim Parsons loves the writing on The Big Bang Theory, specifically Sheldon's lines. 

He once said that he "felt very strongly about the structure... the way they laid out the character and the way he talked."

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He thrives on screen and on stage

19. He thrives on screen and on stage

From TV to film to theater, there's nothing out of this actor's realm of expertise. 

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