By Christopher Wallenberg
20 Apr 2011
To play the socially awkward Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory" — a role that has captured him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for lead actor in a comedy series during the past year — Parsons has drawn extensively on his background in theatre. The role requires Parsons to intuitively understand and be able to nail the complex rhythms of the way that Sheldon speaks and to capture the stiff, awkward physical mannerisms that he exhibits.
Jim Parsons photo by Monty Brinton, CBS Broadcasting Inc.
In that way, Parsons says that some of Sheldon's rhythmic, crisp, and quick-witted dialogue reminds him of the rhythm and the density of doing Shakespeare. "Most of Shakespeare is written in iambic pentameter, so there's this built-in rhythm in there. And I feel that's similar to some of what they do with our [show], although obviously in a very different way," he says.
"The denseness of some of these heavier speeches that Sheldon has, especially when there's a science term or description stuck in there that I don't fully understand or have to try to understand. Those lines present a challenge week-in and week-out. But it is a challenge that I not only relish the chance to take on but feel that I am equipped for. Because, like I said, it reminds me of looking at and working on some of the passages in Shakespeare. Where sometimes I would go, 'My word! I don't know what that means!' But then I would go and find out and really put it together. It's obviously very different than Shakespeare. But the way I was forced to approach Shakespeare is very similar in my mind to the way I'm forced to approach some aspects of Sheldon [on 'Big Bang']."
Before "The Big Bang Theory" came along in 2007, Parsons was a struggling young actor trying to land his big break in either television, film or theatre. He had moved to New York City in the early 2000s, after grad school in San Diego, and had done some work Off-Broadway. In 2004, he had a memorable one-scene role as Jean Smart's Klingon-speaking boyfriend (garbed in a medieval knight outfit) in Zach Braff's directorial debut "Garden State." And, in 2004-05, had did a seven-episode arc on the series "Judging Amy." Each year, he would audition for as many as 15 pilots per season. But nothing clicked until "Big Bang" launched into the stratosphere following its debut in 2007.
On this odd-couple style show, brainy but socially awkward Sheldon and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) are roommates and fellow scientists who may understand the laws of quantum physics, but when it comes to social interaction (especially of the romantic kind) they're clueless. At first, the two are content to hang around with their fellow CalTech geeks and play games of Klingon Boggle. But when Leonard befriends Penny (Kaley Cuoco), the free-spirited blonde beauty who lives across the hall, their well-ordered world gets turned upside down.
As the eccentric, obsessive-compulsive Sheldon, who has an IQ of 187, a host of trademark idiosyncrasies, and a scathing (if sometime esoteric) wit, Parsons found a near-perfect match for his skills as a physical comedian and his deft hand at idiosyncratic, rhythmic line readings.
"When I read Sheldon, I knew immediately that I could really play this part. I thought, 'I can really bring these words to life.' I just immediately connected with the way [that] this character talked. Not what he said, because I didn't understand most of what he said, frankly. But I did understand the way in which he was saying it. And so I was very excited to go in for it. And I was very obviously gratified when I got the part."
While Parsons doesn't speak Klingon, read comic books, or worship superheroes like Sheldon, he acknowledges that he does have a few obsessive compulsive tendencies — but usually about things like playing the piano, doing crossword puzzles, or discussing politics.
While "Big Bang" shoots in front of a live audience for each show, there are cameras in between the actors and the audience. And the actors are given as many takes as they need to nail a scene or a bit of dialogue. The actors are also shooting a new show, with a new story, every week. So Parsons is looking forward to returning to the stage and the opportunity to explore a character and his journey in a deeper way — to really get a chance to melt into a character.
"I find that refreshing right now — this idea of getting to do this [play] over a 12-week period of time and getting the opportunity to experience new discoveries about the character. Like when we're doing ['Big Bang'], we do it to the best of our ability and do the best takes that we can, and then it's gone. What would you have discovered about the character in one more week? What would you have discovered in two more weeks? So I'm really looking forward to getting to spend that kind of time with one character and saying the same words every time. And hopefully that will help me develop a deep connection with what's going on with my character and in the play. And I am so excited about the idea that 'the show must go on.' There are no retakes. It's scary at times, but I like the pressure of the theatrical moment — that it's happening now. And [then] tomorrow you'll have another crack at it."
