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UH alumnus Parsons continues success story with Emmy award

UH alumnus Jim Parsons won an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series at the 62nd annual Emmy Jim Parsons took home an Emmy for his role as Dr. Sheldon Cooper in CBS's hit show "The Big Bang Theory." | CBSAwards on Aug. 29 in Los Angeles, beating out Alec Baldwin, Steve Carell and Larry David.

“30 Rock’s” Baldwin has taken the Emmy for the past two years.

In “The Big Bang Theory,” Parsons plays the role of Sheldon Cooper, who started college at age 11 after completing the fifth grade and earned his first Ph.D. at age 16. Sheldon’s personality is a main source of humor in the show.

Parsons has strong ties to his hometown, Houston. Parsons graduated from Klein Oak High School and was a founding member of Houston’s Infernal Bridegroom Productions.

“Jim Parson’s first movie role in 2003 was titled ‘Nowhere to Go But Up.’ The career arc of this multi-talented UH graduate has lived up to that title and then some,” said Richard Bonnin, UH director of media relations. “During his tenure at the University of Houston, Jim helped create the non-profit theater company Infernal Bridegroom Productions, showing the ambition and drive that led to his Emmy win for lead actor in a comedy series.

The entire university community is proud of his work, and prouder still, that his connection to the university remains strong, as he returned to campus in April to receive the University of Houston Alumni Association’s Rising Star Award for Achievement.”

Parsons performed in 18 plays with Infernal Bridegroom Productions.

Parson’s success story has inspired some UH students.

“I think it’s pretty exciting that he has come such a long way since he has been in school to achieve and become successful in what he loves,” graphic communication junior Susie DeGraff said. “And to win an Emmy award, that shows that the hard work and the dedication he has put into his job has paid off and lets us see that you can achieve whatever you want in life if you go after it and work hard and that anyone can become successful.”

“The Big Bang Theory” is a sitcom that was premiered on CBS on Sept. 4, 2007. The show is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Chuck Lorre Productions and was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, who also serve as executive producers.

The sitcom won the best comedy series TCA award in August 2009. In the same year, Parsons won the individual achievement award.

“It’s really inspiring to hear that a UH alumni is an Emmy award winner. It kind of puts people’s dreams within reach because we see celebrities as role models and to imagine that we could be in their position seems far fetched,” UH student Yasmeen Esaklul said. “The fact that one of our own became that successful tells us that if we work hard towards something that seems unattainable, it might just become a reality.”

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