The Big Bang Theory Star Jim Parsons helmed one of the highest-grossing TV shows of all time, but his success came at a huge price.
The 53-year-old four-time Emmy winner said he was “miserable” at the peak of his career because of the pressure and discipline he put on himself to succeed.
Jim Parsons played Sheldon Cooper for 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, pictured with his co-star Mayim Bialik. CBS
“I look back now and realize there were a lot of reasons I was unhappy during some of the best times in my life,” Parsons said during an appearance on Everything with John Dean This week. “I was unhappy. I was stressed.”
The actor felt like he was juggling so many plates because he felt that “success and good things in life” only happened “because of this overwork” or “discipline” that he instilled.
“Maybe it was true to some extent. I don’t know,” he admitted on the show. “But I wouldn’t do it again at any cost… simply because it was stressful and miserable at times. I made myself miserable.”
“Because of your work ethic?” host John Dean explained.
Parsons explained that some of it had to do with work ethic, “but really it was just obsessive behavior.”
The actor revealed that he always had a “to-do list” in his head that he had to do to feel comfortable and know that he could do his job correctly, but looking back, he now feels that this was not true.
Parsons said he missed out on “tons of life” because of the obsessive routine he created for himself.
Parsons spoke about the “stress” he created for himself in All Out with Jon Dean. YouTube/@jondianallout
But he admitted that his perfectionism has really helped him get to where he is today.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have that period of life,” he reflected.
Parsons played Dr. Sheldon Copper on the hit sitcom from 2007 to 2019. The series ended after a mammoth 12 seasons.
Parsons with the cast of The Big Bang Theory, one of the most successful television shows of all time. Instagram
Parsons subsequently won four Primetime Emmy Awards for his role as Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Getty
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Parson’s salary of US$1 million ($1.5 million) per episode made him reportedly the highest-paid actor on television at the time.
The Big Bang Theory began his career in Hollywood, which led to roles in Hidden figures, extremely evil, shockingly evil and vile And Boys in the group and also became the executive producer and narrator of the series Young Sheldon.
The spin-off and prequel ran for seven seasons from 2017 to 2024. Parsons lent his voice to all 141 episodes of the series. Young Sheldon.