Jim Parsons, the Emmy Amward-winning star of the CBS’ sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” has confirmed publicly for the first time that he is gay and in a long-term relationship.
Parsons, 39, soon to star on stage in a revival of Harvey, is the focus of a profile today in The New York Times, where, buried deep in the profile, it is casually mentioned that “Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship.”
The article does not actually quote Parsons, instead refers to his previous Broadway role in the play “The Normal Heart,” a drama about the AIDS epidemic in ‘80s-era New York:
“The Normal Heart” resonated with him on a few levels: Mr. Parsons is gay and in a 10-year relationship, and working with an ensemble again onstage was like nourishment, he said. As the production was ending last summer, he heard that the Roundabout Theater Company was considering a revival of “Harvey” — initially with John C. Reilly under consideration for Elwood — and last November the play’s director, Scott Ellis, asked him and Ms. Hecht to do a private reading of the work in Los Angeles.
Parsons’ sexual orientation has been the source of media speculation for several years, but until now, he and his public relations representatives have consistently skirted the issue.
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While The National Enquirer “outed” Parsons in 2010 with news of an alleged engagement to partner Todd Spiewak, this is Parsons’ first public acknowledgement of his sexuality.
Though the Times did not identify Parsons’ partner, he thanked Spiewak during his 2010 Emmy Award acceptance speech, and has been accompanied by Spiewak at various events.