Jim Parsons Says Success Came With Stress and Obsessive Habits

Jim Parsons, best known for playing Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, says his success came at a personal cost.

Speaking on the All Out with Jon Dean podcast, Parsons said he often felt stressed and unhappy, even during the biggest moments of his career. He explained that he believed he had to work constantly and follow strict routines to succeed.

Parsons said his strong work ethic was partly driven by obsessive behavior that was similar to OCD. He kept a mental list of things he felt he had to do before he could feel comfortable or perform well. Looking back, he believes much of that pressure was unnecessary.

The actor said his perfectionism caused him to miss many life experiences because everything had to fit into his routine. Although he is grateful for his successful career, he said he would not choose to live that way again, no matter how much money was involved.

Parsons starred in The Big Bang Theory from 2007 to 2019, winning four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for his performance. He has also appeared in Young Sheldon, Hidden Figures, The Normal Heart, and The Boys in the Band.