The immense actor has won four Emmys for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series’ and it’s fair to say that the unconventional pairing of Sheldon and Amy captivated the hearts of all of the show’s viewers.
But what of the heart of the man behind the intensely funny and socially inept physician? Jim Parsons and now-husband Todd Spiewak have been together for two whole decades and the couple finally tied the knot back in May of 2017.
Parsons isn’t shy to flaunt his love with lover, friend, and producer, Spiewak now but things haven’t always been that way.
Parsons, while never denying his sexuality, avoided the topic entirely when working. It wasn’t until May of 2012 that the actor actually officially came out during an interview with The New York Times.
Big Bang Theory And Sexuality Secrets
It’s quite hard to cast your mind all the way back to when the show began.
Back before we knew of quirky new-girl-next-door Penny, or on-again-off-again love interest Leanord, or our favorite physician and their pals. They’ve become such comfort characters to all of us.
But Parsons was just 33 when we were introduced to the gang back in the piolet episode that aired in 2007.
Before this, the actor had done some previous work but all of which was fairly minor. It wasn’t until this show really took off that Parsons rose to such stardom.
And you’d be surprised how much social norms and acceptance have changed within the last decade or so.
Back then when it came to coming out it wasn’t ‘even close to the era we are in now, as far as what it meant to tell somebody you were gay’ the actor recalled.
He wouldn’t necessarily lie or deny his sexuality, but Parsons did make an effort to not engage in conversation about his sexuality publicly.
The actor even opened up about how the idea of it made him anxious. ‘So I was scared. I wasn’t scared about losing my job.
And I wasn’t scared to the point of denying my sexuality. But I was scared enough to make it my mission not to talk about it.’
Taking A Leap Of Faith – Coming Out
Coming out can be a difficult situation for anyone. Often people build up a perception of you and doing anything that shatters that perception can change your life.
It’s a lot of pressure especially when you don’t know how people are going to react. And many hide their true selves for years out of fear and uncertainty.
Add the media and press, a whole team that pays your bills, and millions of adoring fans to the list of people you need to tell and it can be a very stressful time.
When you star in a beloved TV series that is so immensely popular as The Big Bang Theory, many watchers really begin to feel like they know you.
And it can be hard to know if something as big as coming out may impact the popularity of the show.
Parsons has admitted in several interviews that he was worried that coming out might negatively impact the show.
However, in 2012 Parsons took a leap of faith, and just days after the 5th series season finale came out in an interview with The New York Times.
How It Helped His Acting
The Big Bang Theory actor has mentioned in several interviews that opening up about his sexuality did not have negative effects on the show.
And that actually there was a really positive impact from the actor speaking his truth.
The actor said that being publicly a part of the LGBTQ community, that remains strong and perseveres through the most difficult of hardships, brings him both ‘happiness and strength.’ And we couldn’t be happier to see the actor thriving.
He commented that it also really helped him to further develop his characterization of our beloved Sheldon Cooper.
Actors really have to rely on their own experiences to bring authentic emotions to the screen and relate personal truths to characters’ difficulties.
Parsons said that once he came out this became much easier to do and it helped to make Sheldon a much more realized character.
Other Work/Job Opportunities
Coming out certainly hasn’t hindered the actor’s career either, as it shouldn’t.
The massively talented actor has worked on several other projects such as The Normal Heart, Hidden Figures, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and The Boys In The Band.
The actor has even voice acted in a movie called Home which also starred Rihanna – who he apparently became good friends with. So jealous!
Final Thoughts
Parsons is a great example of how you need not rush coming out until you are ready.
If you are currently not in a place where you feel like you are comfortable sharing your sexuality with others, you can wait until the time feels right for you. And yet it shows that the impacts might not be quite as unreceptive as you may think.
While society may not quite have reached a point of total equality, we certainly edge closer and closer each and every day.
But to the answer of ‘Is Jim Parsons Gay?’ – the answer is certainly yes. The actor has been married to his spouse Todd for a fair few years now, and he often publicly lets his husband know just how much he loves him.
In his 2013 acceptance speech, he let his lover know that he was his ‘favorite person on earth.’
The couple also took to the stage together when they won the Inspiration Award at the GLSEN Respect Awards. And I’ll leave us with a beautiful quote that Parsons had to say on his relationship being awarded as inspiring:
‘I have never considered my relationship with Todd to be an act of activism, rather it is simply an act of love – coffee in the morning, going to work, washing the clothes taking the dogs – regular life, boring love’
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