The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons calls his time on the show "heaven"

He played physicist Sheldon Cooper for 12 years.

By Dan Seddon

2 Dec 2022

The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons has reflected on his 12-year stint playing Sheldon Cooper on the sitcom.

Alongside Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali, Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler and Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, the sitcom was Parsons' breakthrough role, landing him awards including four Emmys and a Golden Globe.

More than three years on from the series' bittersweet finale, Parsons described his experience on the show as "heaven" in a new interview with ETOnline.

jim parsons as sheldon in a scene from the big bang theory, surrounded by five cats

CBS Photo ArchiveGetty Images

"It was the kind of experience I cannot overstate how impactful and positive it was for me," he said.

"The feeling of thankfulness and gratitude in [my] heart for the whole thing, it's almost overwhelming."

His time playing the theoretical physicist meant that Parsons got to brush shoulders with cameoing megastars like the late Stephen Hawking, Stan Lee, Leonard Nimoy and Carrie Fisher, plus Bill Gates, Mark Hamill and Billy Bob Thornton.

CBSGetty Images

Elsewhere in the interview, Parsons shared his joy at news of his co-star Cuoco's pregnancy.

"She's gonna be incredible," he commented, adding how the Harley Quinn star always gave off supportive maternal energy on the set of Big Bang.

"She's a comforting presence, and it was a pleasure to work with her day in and day out," Parsons added. "She's a very warm person, and I think that child is lucky to have her for a mother."

The Big Bang Theory aired on CBS in the US. You can buy the complete boxset now on DVD and Blu-ray.