Jim Parsons, widely popular for his oddball character Sheldon Cooper on the hit show “The Big Bang Theory,” will be honored by University of San Diego, where he received a master’s degree.
USD officials said Monday they were awarding the actor with the Author E. Hughes Award for Outstanding Career Achievement.
Parsons rose to fame and has received widespread acclaim for his role on the hit show where he plays an eccentric, neurotic, socially awkward theoretical physicist. He’s received four Emmy awards and a Golden Globe for the role.
Parsons graduated from USD in 2001 with a master of fine arts degree from the Old Globe theatre program.
Parsons was among several alumni bestowed awards from the university.
Also honored: Karen P. Hewitt, a former U.S. attorney in San Diego; Matt Reno, founder and CEO of Reno Contracting; lung health researcher Barbara Driscoll; Emiliano Gallego, Pagasa Pasta general manager; Sandra Solem, a director at the VA San Diego health care system; Henry Acquarelli, a Poway teacher and coach; Stephen and Victoria Nasman, leaders of the Orange County alumni chapter; and NFL player Josh Johnson.
The alumni will receive the honors at a celebration on April 25.
