Jim Parsons, an American actor and producer, holds a net worth of $160 million. His wealth stems primarily from his iconic role as Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019). Throughout the series, Parsons garnered numerous accolades, including four Primetime Emmys. His role also made him one of the highest-paid actors in television for several years. In 2017, he began narrating and executive producing a prequel to the series, Young Sheldon.
In addition to The Big Bang Theory, Parsons has accumulated over 40 acting credits. He starred in films such as Garden State (2004), The Big Year (2011), Hidden Figures (2016), Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019), and The Boys in the Band (2020). He also made notable appearances in TV series such as Judging Amy (2004–2005) and performed in Broadway plays like The Normal Heart (2011) and Harvey (2012).
Parsons has lent his voice to numerous animated projects. These include Home (2015), Family Guy (2009, 2012), The Simpsons (2020), and SuperMansion (2016), among others. In 2014, he hosted Saturday Night Live and produced several TV movies and series, such as Bless Her Heart (2016), The Family Gene (2017), and Hollywood (2020), as well as the series Call Me Kat (2021–present).
Early Life
Jim Parsons, born James Joseph Parsons on March 24, 1973, in Houston, Texas, was the son of Judy Ann and Milton Parsons, Jr. He has a sister, Julie. Tragically, his father passed away in a car accident in 2001. Jim’s passion for acting began at the age of six when he starred as the Kola-Kola bird in a school play. This experience set him on a path toward a career in acting.
Growing up, Jim was influenced by popular TV sitcoms like Family Ties and Three’s Company. During his junior year at Klein Oak High School, he appeared in Noises Off, a play by Michael Frayn. This experience deeply resonated with him, marking a turning point in his understanding of acting. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. During his college years, Parsons performed in nearly 20 plays and co-founded the Houston theater company Infernal Bridegroom Productions.
In 1999, Parsons was accepted into a prestigious two-year classical theater program in partnership with the University of San Diego and the Old Globe Theatre. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Acting in 2001 before moving to New York City to pursue his career further.
Career Beginnings
In the early 2000s, Jim Parsons appeared in various Off-Broadway productions, including a 2003 commercial for Quiznos. He also had a minor role in the 2002 episode of Ed. Parsons’ first notable TV role was as Rob Holbrook in Judging Amy (2004–2005). He also appeared in several films, such as Garden State (2004), Heights (2005), The Great New Wonderful (2005), 10 Items or Less (2006), and Gardener of Eden (2007).
The Big Bang Theory
Parsons’ breakthrough came in 2007 when he was cast as Sheldon Cooper on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Creator Chuck Lorre was so impressed with his audition that he asked for a second reading, ultimately casting him as Sheldon. The character—a socially awkward genius physicist—became a cultural phenomenon. Parsons credited his time at the University of San Diego with helping him break down Sheldon’s complex dialogue.
The show ran for 12 seasons and 279 episodes, winning Parsons over 20 awards and 60 nominations. His portrayal of Sheldon Cooper remains one of the most iconic roles in television history.
Other Work
While working on The Big Bang Theory, Parsons also guest-starred on iCarly (2011) and appeared in various films such as Sunset Stories (2012), Wish I Was Here (2014), Visions (2015), and A Kid Like Jake (2018). He starred in four Broadway productions, two of which were later adapted into movies. The Normal Heart (2014) aired on HBO, and The Boys in the Band (2020) premiered on Netflix. Parsons collaborated with director Ryan Murphy on The Boys in the Band and the Netflix miniseries Hollywood (2020), where he earned nominations from both the Primetime Emmys and the Golden Globes.
In 2011, Parsons co-starred with Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson in The Big Year. He also performed “Man or Muppet” in The Muppets, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Parsons’ 2016 film Hidden Figures was a critical and commercial success, grossing $236.2 million against a $25 million budget. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. In 2019, Parsons portrayed prosecutor Larry Simpson in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. He also played Michael Ausiello in the 2022 film Spoiler Alert.
Awards and Nominations
Parsons has been nominated for Primetime Emmys nine times, winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in The Big Bang Theory in 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. He has also received nominations for his work in The Normal Heart (2014) and Hollywood (2020). The Big Bang Theory earned him numerous other accolades, including Critics Choice Television Awards, Golden Globes, Kids’ Choice Awards, and several Online Film & Television Association Awards.
In 2015, Parsons received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The GLAAD Media Awards honored him with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award in 2018. For his stage work, Parsons won a Theatre World Award in 2011 for his performance in The Normal Heart.
Jim Parsons’ Salary
Jim Parsons’ salary throughout The Big Bang Theory reflects his immense success on the show. In the first season, he earned $60,000 per episode, which equaled over $1 million for the season. From seasons two to four, his salary increased to $250,000 per episode, totaling $17.5 million for those seasons. In seasons five to seven, he earned $350,000 per episode, adding $25.2 million to his earnings. For seasons eight to ten, Parsons’ salary jumped to $1.2 million per episode, translating to $86 million for those three seasons. During the final two seasons, his salary was reduced to $1 million per episode, which still amounted to $48 million. In total, Jim Parsons earned $177.7 million from his salary on The Big Bang Theory.
When the main cast members of The Big Bang Theory negotiated backend equity deals, they each received 1% of the show’s syndication revenue. After the first year of syndication, the show generated $1 billion in sales, earning each of the three leads an extra $10 million. While syndication sales typically decrease over time, Parsons is still expected to earn around $10 million annually from these royalties for the next decade.
Real Estate
In 2019, Jim Parsons sold his Los Feliz home in Los Angeles for $6.95 million. He had purchased the property from actor Robert Pattinson for $6.325 million in 2014. The property was previously owned by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Parsons currently resides in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of New York City. He bought a condo there in 2011 for $1.82 million and later purchased an adjacent unit for $2.82 million the following year.
