Jim Parsons "Sheldon Cooper" Gay: 'Big Bang Theory' Actor Reacts to Emmys Nomination
Jim Parsons already won two Emmys for portraying the brainy Sheldon Cooper on the hit CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory and just picked up another nomination for 2013.
"We're in such a good spot with it and our audience, things have gone so well," the openly gay actor told The Hollywood Reporter of the show's nom for Best Comedy. "Because of all that, and how long we've been on, there's something even more sweet about it; it feels even more of an honor getting to go. Every year that goes by there are more shows to choose from, and it seems that our odds would go down exponentially to be included."
Last year, Parsons, 39, revealed that he gay and in a long-term relationship. There had been speculation about his sexuality in the past and for the first time, Parsons confirmed publicly about his status.
Although he didn't directly quote his sexuality, he was mentioned in The New York Times profile in a very subtle way that he has been in a long term relationship for over ten years.
The NYT piece discussed Parson's role in last year's play The Normal Heart, in which he played a young gay activist. NYT wrote: "'The Normal Heart' resonated with him on a few levels: Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship, and working with an ensemble again onstage was like nourishment, he said."
In 2009, Parsons won the Television Critics Association award for individual achievement in comedy. He was nominated for Emmy awards in 2009 and 2010 and won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2010. During his acceptance speech for the award, he thanked his rumored partner Todd Spiewak.
He stars alongside Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco in the hit Big Bang series, created by Chuck Lorre. He reportedly earns an average of $200,000 per episode. In 2011, Parsons also won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Series.