Jim Parsons, the out actor popularly known for his role as Sheldon on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, took home one of the highest honors of the night at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is given to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance. The award was presented to Parsons by friend and colleague, Ryan Murphy, with a surprise appearance by Parson’s ‘Boys In The Band’ cast mates Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Robin De Jesus, Brian Hutchinson, Charlie Carver, Michael Benjamin Washington, and Tuc Watkins. For tickets visit: www.broadway.com/shows/boys-band/

Parsons and Murphy worked together in the past on the HBO television movie, The New Normal, which received a GLAAD Media Award in 2015. They are currently working on the upcoming Broadway play, Boys In The Band, with Murphy producing and Parsons set to star. The 29^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles will air exclusively on Logo on April 18, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.

The Stephen F. Kolzak award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted the last part of his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Laverne Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Wanda Sykes, Melissa Etheridge, Alan Ball, Pedro Zamora, Martina Navratilova, Paris Barclay, Robert Greenblatt, and Sir Ian McKellen.

Parsons will star in the upcoming film A Kid Like Jake, in which he will play the father of a young boy exploring his gender identity.

“Jim Parsons’ talent, humor, and impressive body of work have made him one of the most visible and beloved out LGBTQ actors today,” GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Parsons not only proudly tells LGBTQ stories through his roles, but also works behind the camera with his husband Todd to tell LGBTQ stories that raise the bar for Hollywood and inspire acceptance.”

The 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are presented by Delta Air Lines, Gilead, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, and Wells Fargo. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives. The GLAAD Media Awards also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories from the LGBTQ community and issues that build support for equality and acceptance.