Jim Parsons of 'Big Bang Theory' gets Hollywood star

Jim Parsons, the American actor famous for his portrayal of a quirky, self-centered scientist Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory," earned a star Wednesday on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Parsons, 41, was flanked by Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Johnny Galecki and the rest of his castmates in the wildly popular series now going into its eighth season. Fans jostled for autographs.

"One of the things I know is, the main reason I'm in this career and here today, is because of my family and the support they gave me, and the way I was encouraged to pursue this insane dream of acting, from Texas to here," Parsons said looking at his mother and partner, art director Todd Spiewak.

But "the biggest reason is because I had the chance to play this incredible character that I neither created, nor write for, nor put into a series.

"That credit goes to Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and Steve Molaro. And the credit goes to the rest of the cast," said Parsons, an Emmy and Golden Globe-winner.

Parsons plays a highly intelligent yet ill-adapted university professor -- mad about comic books and videogames -- whose group of mostly scientist friends help expose him to the real world in seemingly endless, and painful, ways. The show has been a top US TV comedy for years.

"You have accomplished something that's beyond imagination. This is just the beginning," Lorre said.

"People laugh at your work, and their life is a little bit better. I'm deeply proud of you."