Geeks of the world, rejoice.

For the past two years, the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series has gone to 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin. But not this time.

Houston's own Jim Parsons took home the prize for his portrayal of eccentric genius Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory at the 62nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night.

Parsons has strong ties to the Bayou City acting community. He was a founding member of Houston's Infernal Bridegroom Productions (IBP), performing in 18 plays with the group. Parsons also graduated from Klein Oak High School and the University of Houston.

He returned to Houston earlier this spring as the featured guest at a fundraiser for Catastrophic Theatre, the Houston theater company that succeeded IBP.

Parsons seemed a little shell-shocked at his win, thanking a slew of friends and co-workers. "I feel so lucky to be working at all," he said upon receiving the award.

According to a report by USA Today, Parsons remained in a daze over his win afterwards.

"I am shocked," he said outside the hotel near the Nokia Theater. "It was one of those moments right before they announced the winner that my brain went 'You are not getting this right now' and then I was stunned. I am still stunned."

About why his character Sheldon appeals to viewers "I am guessing it is because he is a very different guy. He is in the minority of intelligence and behavior. He comes from such an honest good place that he gets away with saying such outlandish things."

In Houston, his friends and former colleages at IBP were ecstatic over Parsons' win.

"I started jumping up and down and screaming and sobbing," said Tamarie Cooper, who first performed with Parsons in 1995. They also worked at Whole Foods Market together. "I am so totally over the moon with joy and pride for my good pal Jim. I'm so proud. I'm a crazy stage mother."

"We are all so proud of our great old friend, the extraordinarily talented Jim Parsons," emailed Catastrophic Theatre artistic director Jason Nodler, who founded IBP. "It was our great honor to work with him for so many years and we are delighted that he is getting the recognition he so richly deserves."