Jim Parsons quit his role as Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory after the death of his dog and the realization that he was only six years younger than his father when he passed away. The actor tells in the podcast from David Tennant that he wanted to make time for other things in his life.
Parsons says that when he signed for the 11th and 12th seasons of the sitcom, he already felt that it would be the last time he would take the role of the character Sheldon. He explains that this feeling was confirmed in the summer between the eleventh and twelfth seasons, which he describes as intense.
The actor was not alone in rehearsals for the final season of The Big Bang Theory, but also starred in the play on Broadway The Boys in the Band.
At that time, Parsons had to put his fourteen-year-old dog to sleep, which he couldn’t attend due to work. It provided a moment of clarity, when he realized that he “didn’t want to let life pass him by and take the time to look around”.
‘Wanted to try other things when I had six years to live’
Parson’s father passed away years before at the age of 52. “I realized I would be 46 when I finished season 12 of The Big Bang Theory. It’s not that I’m superstitious, but it did provide context. “
In conversation with the makers of The Big Bang Theory Parsons then said he would not want to continue the role if he were told he only had six years to live. “I told them there are other things I want to do. I didn’t even know what these things were, but I have to try them.”
Parsons insists that he would not have objected if the show had continued without him. “It would only have felt grander if I had gone out and been part of something that grew even further after that.”
Parsons was in from 2007 to 2019 The Big Bang Theory seen as Sheldon Cooper. He also played roles in such films as Hidden Figures in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and the series Hollywood.
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