Jim Parsons has played the fussy physicist Sheldon Cooper on the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory since the show debuted in 2007. Parsons has been in feature films and television since earning a Masters degree in theater from the University of San Diego in 2001. Tall, thin and boyish, his comic roles have included memorable scene as a "fast food knight" in Zach Braff's film Garden State (2004), a recurring role in the final season of Judging Amy (in 2005) and small roles in the movies 10 Items of Less (2006) and School for Scoundrels (2006, starring Billy Bob Thornton). As Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory, he stood out from an ensemble cast and earned an Emmy nomination in 2009 for best actor in a comedy series.