Jim Parsons, Sheldon on ‘The Big Bang Theory’: “It was stressful and miserable at times ”

For millions of viewers, Jim Parsons enjoyed a professional situation for more than a decade that could hardly have been better. ‘The Big Bang Theory’ became a global phenomenon, Sheldon Cooper became a part of popular culture, and his performance was recognized with four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. However, the actor was barely able to enjoy some of the best moments of his career.

Parsons spoke about that period during an interview on the podcast “All Out with Jon Dean.” Looking back, he admits that during the show’s peak years, he felt unhappy, stressed, and constantly worried about keeping everything he had achieved afloat. “I was not happy. I was stressed,” he recalls now.

The problem wasn’t necessarily the show, the character, or his co-stars, but rather the pressure he had placed on himself. Parsons was convinced that his success depended on working constantly, sticking to a strict routine, and maintaining a discipline that allowed for almost no deviations. He feared that if he stopped doing so, everything might fall apart.

“I wouldn’t do that again and for any amount of money”

For a long time, he interpreted that behavior as a strong work ethic. Now he sees it differently. “A lot of it was because it was kind of OCD in nature,” he explains. The actor kept a mental list of tasks he had to complete to feel at ease and convince himself that he was prepared to do his job well. It was a constant demand that eventually took over the space reserved for the rest of his life.

“I wouldn’t do that again and for any amount of money,” Parsons says. “It was stressful and miserable at times. I made myself miserable.” The actor admits that that way of working may have contributed to his success, but he also acknowledges that he missed out on “tons of life ” while trying to live up to expectations that, to a large extent, he had imposed on himself.

That doesn’t mean he disowns Sheldon Cooper or the twelve years he spent on ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ Parsons knows that experience is part of who he is as a person and an actor today, even though it took time for his relationship with fame to become healthier. It still feels strange to him to walk into a room and find that everyone knows who he is, while he doesn’t know any of the people there.

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