Dr. Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory worships the late Spock actor Leonard Nimoy so much so that when his neighbour Penny gave him an autographed napkin coming from the actor, he let go of his usually cold demeanor and gave Penny a very rare yet awkward hug (and knowing Sheldon, that's saying a lot!)
Jim Parsons, the actor who plays Sheldon does not often share Sheldon's views and interests, but there is an exception when it comes to Nimoy. Parsons talked to USA Today and shared his feelings about the late actor, and recalled instances when Nimoy visited The Big Bang Theory set.
It was in 2012 when Nimoy voiced Sheldon's Spock figurine, which talked to him in a dream. "It was a fascinating way to meet somebody: as an actor, meeting another actor, but also as, my character worships the character that you portrayed."
Parsons learned to see Nimoy through Sheldon's eyes and it is because of that that the actor was able to see "what an overall abundantly overall artistic human Leonard Nimoy was."
During an earlier episode, Penny gave Sheldon a Christmas gift despite his strong opposition against Christmas and its festivities. But when he found out that the gift was actually an autographed napkin by Nimoy, his character freaked out.
Parsons discovered that the production crew actually sent Nimoy two napkins to sign "in case he didn't like what he had done or whatever," but he only signed one.
"Just speaking of how reserved he was - he was satisfied with the first sign he did, so he sent both napkins back, only one of them signed. Like, 'No, that'll do.' And I thought, 'That says so much,'" said Parsons.
The actor found the act very charming and said that it is something he would probably do himself.
Parsons also shared just how much he loves the movie 3 Men and a Baby, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was Nimoy who directed the film.
"It's one of the ways he probably had the greatest entertainment effect on me, which is just so funny, because it's a movie I watched over and over again," he said.
And even though Nimoy has gone, Parsons said that he is continuously amazed and inspired by him and wants to follow Nimoy's example because the late actor was "such a living example of how fruitful a life and career can be."
