Movies

5 Best Jim Parsons' Roles For Those Who Already Know The Big Bang Theory By Heart

5 Best Jim Parsons' Roles For Those Who Already Know The Big Bang Theory By Heart
Image credit: IFC Films/Netflix

Despite what CBS thinks, it doesn’t have to be about Sheldon all the time.

No matter how much you love The Big Bang Theory, and how many times you think you can rewatch it, sometimes it’s good to freshen up your palette. However, if you still feel like you want to see a familiar face in frame, you may appreciate some other projects that Jim Parsons had worked on in his acting career.

From being a parent to showbiz mastermind, here are the top five roles Jim Parsons played, Sheldon Cooper aside.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Parsons’ character in Hidden Figures must be the closest role he had to Sheldon without actually being Sheldon. The actor portrayed Paul Stafford, the head engineer in Space Task Group, who were responsible for NASA’s historic launch of an astronaut by the name John Glenn, as well as his return.

A Kid Like Jake (2018)

This film shows the struggles that any parent can face coming to terms with their child’s identity. Beautiful and sentimental, A Kid Like Jake explores the conflict between wanting to protect your kid from societal cruelty and letting them express themselves in all available means. Jim Parsons plays the role of Jake’s father, while Claire Danes stars as the mother.

The Boys in the Band (2020)

Chances are, you have heard of Mart Crowley’s 1968 play The Boys in the Band. If you did, you’re familiar with Parsons’ character Michael, who hosts a birthday party for his friend Harold, portrayed in Netflix 's version by Zachary Quinto. The twist is, the party has to be extremely secretive, as was everything queer in New York back in the ‘60s.

Hollywood (2020)

No matter how much Parsons knows about modern-day Hollywood, the knowledge was unlikely to help him portray a talent agent Henry Wilson. As the events of Ryan Murphy’s series were set to happen in the Hollywood Golden Age following World War II, the rules of the game were significantly different.

The Normal Heart (2014)

This drama tells a heartbreaking story of the work of one HIV advocacy group trying to survive the AIDS crisis that blew up in New York in the early ‘80s. Starring alongside Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons portrayed Tommy Boatwright, who played a huge role in establishing Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC).