The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons, who plays the geeky Sheldon, is now on the record as a gay actor following an article on stage play Harvey published in the NY Times.
The NY Times journalist references an earlier play, gay drama The Normal Heart.
“The Normal Heart resonated with him on a few levels,” the Times’ Patrick Healy writes. “Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship, and working with an ensemble again onstage was like nourishment, he said.”
The reference is buried deep in the article so as not to make the point a “coming out” of sorts. But that hasn’t stopped other media from giving the news such a headline, including the Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, MSNBC, Perez Hilton and many more.
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, some industry and online chatter today has argued that Parsons was never really “in,” openly and matter-of-factly addressing his relationship whenever it came up in his daily life and work. And it’s not the first time a reference to his sexuality has been made in a print publication. But compared to other primetime stars who identify as gay he has been extremely quiet on the topic.
Zachary Quinto similarly acknowledged questions about his sexuality in an interview to New York magazine.
This adds wieght to my theory that Jim Parsons. Also played the role of Anna in the latest/last version of V.
Bazinga!
I just hope this outing, if that’s what it is, doesn’t affect the Big Bang Theory. Without him it would be nothing.
it may well have been the worst kept secret in showbiz, but i appreciate items like this. I also appreciate David’s response to other comments – and Trix, as ever, you are an eloquent commenter, whom i always enjoy reading.
Curiously, a friend of mine, tells me he cringes everytime he sees a promo for Big Bang, as he finds Sheldon a gay stereotype. As a big fan of the show for the last couple of years, i don’t see that – i see a one off creation, a unique character and performer inhabiting that role. This is news, as Sheldon Cooper is a cultural icon – the huge success of the show, and its already long run, and future in syndication means his place in television history is established. It is always important for minorities to see themselves up on the screen – whether it is Sophia Vergara, Ellen, Deb Mailman…Jim is a wonderful comedic actor – and this is just further humanising of him.
I’m not a fan of his show, but he seems like a real nice guy, I’m more shocked that he’s nearly 40
Now maybe we can out some of those darn heterosexual actors.
Hopefully just “actor.”
Will he now be identified as a “gay actor”? Or is he simply an actor who happens to be gay.
Until the day comes that my niece is allowed to marry the woman she loves, when not one more young gay person takes their life, or is bashed, or stays in the closet because they feel they can’t be who they are, I’m happy to read or be presented with any gay positive, affirming stories.
I’ll just confirm that he has been open about his partner on Letterman and Craig Ferguson’s shows.
Why does outing related news always have to be defended as news. It’s the only type of story I see consistently in the situation. Like it or not, a gay celebrity disclosing their sexuality is still a very brave thing to do and can mean a lot to questioning or insecure youth. I think it is the exact type of news that we should see more often, considering all the useless news we get that no one ever questions.
David I agree this is worth archiving for the reasons you listed, my point was many people in the industry and fans already new this, I just thought it was common knowledge and he had already come out.
Given his age and Ellen coming was many years ago, most peoples attitudes have changed. Plus his respect in the industry I doubt this will have a negative impact on his future career.
To quote Seinfeld “People’s personal sexual preferences are nobody’s business but their own!”
David Knox – well said mate. I wish we truly did live in a world where something like this is not news, however while we live in a conservative world where unmarried atheist Prime Minister’s don’t even support basic civil rights issues such as gay marriage, and gay men continue to be vilified and yes, many continue to take their lives, news such as what you read above are important. The Big Bang Theory is currently one of the most popular sitcoms in the world. So for many many young gay men to see the success of someone like Jim Parsons (who I understand has never been in the closet and indeed been in a long term relationship), news like this means a helluva lot! Thank you David for posting this. I’ve been awaiting this to go mainstream for years.
Appreciate the views on this. Here’s mine:
Firstly, as a TV blog there will always be a hierarchy of “news.” Despite the “News” subject of this vertical, I actually file all sorts of stories here, from major headlines, to whimsy, musings and everything in between. Two radio DJs singing a Seal parody isn’t strictly speaking “news” either, but in the landscape of a blog it might be worth a run….
While it’s fair to say someone’s sexuality isn’t news, I would suggest that’s a subjective view. If you’re an isolated, disaffected youth in regional Australia this story may have far more meaning to you than a more cosmopolitan adult in Sydney. Whilst full equality in Australia remains unresolved, visibility is important. Teen suicide remains high. Relating evidence of happy, long term relationships is worth me spending 30 minutes to file.
It’s also worth doing for archival purposes because of the changes it may mean to the person in the story. After Ellen DeGeneres came out it detoured her entire career. Actors do take on roles they had avoided once the audience sees them in a new light. So it’s important to log the start of that story. The key is not to beat it up into a sensationalist headline, and hopefully I haven’t here. In the case of Jim Parsons, it is what it is, no more no less….
I was unaware he had made statements on this earlier, and yes I did do some research to check on this first. If it was an obscure comment I guess that explains it.
@Secret Squirrel: I agree it would be nice if it was irrelevant but that’s not the world we live in. Sadly some people feel they need or have the right to know.
I also agree about how he did it, totally the right way.
An odd heading for this story.Perhaps ‘Jim Parsons comes out’ would’ve been a bit better.
This is not news. He has said that he is gay many times “on the record”, the last that I’m positively aware of being on Craig Ferguson last year but he’s been on Leno, Kimmel, and others so I wouldn’t be surprised at more recent “outings”.
I think the difference here is that he (rightly IMO) doesn’t make a song and dance about it (or should that be musical?
). We don’t have straight people announcing publicly that they’re straight. It should be irrelevant unless you’re interested in trying to hook up with him.
A gay actor?!? Just wait till this breaks on the evening news.
Rioting in the streets confirmed.
@craig – Agreed not news.
However I like its never been a big deal why is there any need to ‘come out’ to the media I respect the way he has gone about just living his life and never making it a problem. The way it should be.
He’s allowed to be quiet about his sexuality. I imagine he’s generally a quiet person in most matters.
Seriously this is news?