The Big Bang Theory came to an end with high ratings and strong momentum in 2019, a rare feat for any television show. Folks wanted more, CBS wanted more, but frankly, the decision was out of their hands. Sheldon actor Jim Parsons decided it was time for him to move on, and moving on without one of its biggest stars would be rather difficult.
Now, over a year after The Big Bang Theory's finale, Jim Parsons has shared a bit more on why he made the decision to leave the CBS sitcom. In an interview with David Tennant on David Tennant Does A Podcast With, the actor spoke more about his final contract with the show and his feelings at the time signing.
Our final contract was for the last two years, but no one knew when we signed it what that would mean. I kind of had a suspicion in my heart that that was going to be it for me when I did sign that contract, but you never say never and who knows.
Jim Parsons admitted he already thought early on about leaving The Big Bang Theory when his contract was up, but didn't want to signal that immediately at the time. As he said, one never knows what could happen, and maybe two years down the road, he might have felt differently. Parsons had nothing to lose playing the decision close to the chest, and may have found himself out of the show sooner had he made it known the wonderful Sheldon Cooper was looking for an out.
After signing the contract for Seasons 11-12, Jim Parsons did The Big Bang Theory, a stage show in New York, and had obligations to Intel for commercials. His dog was very ill, and sadly, passed in the midst of his busy schedule. The dog had been around for most of Parsons and his husband Todd Spiewak's 15-year relationship, so it really hit him hard. Parsons broke his foot on stage the week after, and in the recovery, had a moment that inspired his eventual decision.
I had this moment of clarity that I think you're very fortunate to get in a lot of ways, of going 'Don't keep speeding by.' You know? 'Use this time to take a look around.' And I did. I was like, 'I gotta make a move.’ The other thing was that my dad had passed away, years before, but he was 52, and I realized that at the end of Season 12 I would be 46. I'm not superstitious or anything like that, but it was just a context thing… 'If you told me that like my father, I had six years left to live, I think there's other things I need to try and do.'
It's a great bit of perspective from Jim Parsons, and a firsthand look at the downsides of being a successful actor in Hollywood. Parsons hustled all around the nation, and meanwhile, missed out and coped with devastating life events. Given that, and the recent information that CBS fully intended to renew The Big Bang Theory for another two years if the actors signed on, it's certainly understandable why Parsons decided it was finally time to hang it up.
The Big Bang Theory is done on television, but fans can binge the entire series on HBO Max. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for all the latest news on the classic series, and for more news happening in television and movies.
