'The Big Bang Theory' Star Johnny Galecki Shares Real Feelings on Jim Parsons' Abrupt Exit
Actor Johnny Galecki opens up on his true feelings following Jim Parsons' abrupt exit after 12 years on the series.
Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, "The Big Bang Theory" is a CBS television sitcom centered on four scientist friends living in Pasadena, California. It stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, and more.
However, after running the show for 12 seasons together, Jim Parsons, who portrays Sheldon Cooper, announced his exit from the show in 2019, thus Co-creator Chuck Lorre decided to end the series as they could not imagine moving forward without their narcissistic yet lovable mainstay, Sheldon Cooper.
Johnny Galecki Reflects on Jim Parson
In a recent interview with People, Johnny Galecki, who plays the main character, Leonard Hofstadter, recalled how he and his co-stars were emotionally affected by co-star Jim Parsons' departure from the show during the announcement. Galecki further elaborates that the departure could have been handled better.
"I was shocked. We were just blindsided that day," Johnny, who played Leonard Hofstadter recalled "And not necessarily shocked by Jim's decision, but that he hadn't had that conversation with his castmates first to prepare us. So yes, it could have been handled better. We're a family; have a conversation. And I don't even disagree with how Jim felt, because in many ways, I felt the same way. I just disagreed with how it was managed."
According to Galecki, co-creators Molaro and Lorre had called a meeting to inform the cast, wherein Parsons was able to break the news to his co-stars. Tears had been shed all day, specifically from co-star Kaley Cuoco, as this meant an unclear future for the series without Sheldon Cooper.
"We cried for hours that day," Kaley had said. "We thought we were going to do another year, so all of the sudden your life kind of flashes before your eyes. I looked at Chuck and said, 'What are we going to do?' I couldn't breathe. It just felt like a death, but also a new horizon for everybody as well."
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Why Jim Parsons Left 'The Big Bang Theory'
Despite the emotional departure that Jim Parsons made from "The Big Bang Theory", the 49-year-old actor later on opened up about what led to his decision.
According to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Parsons alludes to his overall change as a person throughout the years as his sign to leave the show. He also clarifies that there was no internal issue during production that led him to grow tired of his role.
Following the end of "The Big Bang Theory", showrunners Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro produced a spin-off series, "Young Sheldon" for CBS.
