[5] He moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California after being accepted into their Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program, but dropped out after three semesters.

[2][3][4] As a child actor, he did voice-over work dubbing Japanese anime for ADV Films, including the lead role of Jean Roque-Raltique in Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water and parts in "Soul Hunter", Devil Lady and Jing: King of Bandits.

[2][3][8][9][10] Parsons was initially hired on a recurring basis but was soon put on contract with the series, working closely with multi-Daytime Emmy Award-winner Anthony Geary.

[16] In March 2009 Soaps In Depth magazine credited Parsons with "taking the show by storm" and dubbed Ethan "one of daytime's most riveting young characters.

In May 2012, Parsons was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Younger Actor category for his portrayal of Ethan Lovett on General Hospital.

[citation needed] Parsons replaced Luke Grimes as James in the final season of True Blood[18] and appeared on The Originals as Jackson Kenner from 2014 to 2018.