Before the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory, which brought immense success and wealth to its cast, Jim Parsons emerged as the show's biggest star. He played peculiar characters and amassed a fortune. However, amidst his rise to fame, an audition involving him significantly impacted former teen star DJ Qualls' career. Qualls, who is recognized for potraying nerdy social misfits, was close to securing the role of Sheldon Cooper but lost to Parsons. The audition, conducted alongside Parsons in presence of executives, was an unnerving experience for Qualls. Knowing he wasn’t going to land the part, Qualls experienced the displeasure of auditioning. Ultimately, Qualls bagged a role in the show's inaugural season but later shared that he regretted it as the role didn't match his acting style. The face-off between Parsons and Qualls turned out to be a game-changer, catapulting Parsons' career while leaving a profound impact on Qualls.