Jim Parsons recalls 'Big Bang Theory' fame left him miserable

Jim Parsons revealed that the success he enjoyed during The Big Bang Theory came at a significant personal cost, saying obsessive work habits left him "stressed" and "miserable" despite reaching the height of his career.

Parsons says success came with constant pressure

Speaking on the All Out with Jon Dean podcast, the Emmy-winning actor reflected on how he struggled to enjoy some of the biggest moments of his life.

"I look back now and realize that there were many ways, at some of the best moments of my life, I was miserable," Parsons said. "I was not happy. I was stressed."

He explained that he constantly felt responsible for keeping "so many plates" spinning and believed his success depended on relentless overwork and discipline.

"I felt that there were so many plates I was supposed to be keeping in the air and that the success and the good things of life that were happening were only due to this overworking... discipline and whatever," he said. "And maybe to a degree that was true. I don't know."

Actor says perfectionism wasn't worth it

Although Parsons acknowledged that his discipline may have contributed to his career, he admitted he would never repeat that lifestyle.

"I wouldn't do that again for any amount of money... just because it was stressful and miserable at times. I made myself miserable," he said.

When host Jon Dean asked whether his own work ethic caused the pressure, Parsons agreed it stemmed from obsessive behaviour more than simple discipline.

"It translated in part into a work ethic, but it was really just obsessive behavior basically," he said.

'OCD in nature'

The actor said the perfectionism that fuelled his career also trapped him in routines he now believes were unnecessary.

"Yes, I was disciplined. Yes, I had a good work ethic, but a lot of it was because it was kind of OCD in nature," Parsons explained.

"I had a list of things basically in my head that I had to get done in order to be comfortable and know that I could do my job right, which I don't think was true."

Parsons added that the obsessive mindset caused him to miss out on "tons of life" because it left little room for anything outside the rigid structure he had created.

Even now, he said he is unsure whether there was a healthier path to the same success.

"I don't honestly know," Parsons said. "I wouldn't be where I am right now if I hadn't had that time of life."

'The Big Bang Theory' made Parsons a TV star

Parsons rose to international fame after landing the role of Dr. Sheldon Cooper on CBS's The Big Bang Theory in 2007.

His performance earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and a Golden Globe Award.

The hit sitcom ran for 12 seasons from 2007 to 2019 and became one of television's most successful comedy series. Parsons starred alongside Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.

He has also appeared in Young Sheldon, The Normal Heart, Hidden Figures and The Boys in the Band.