The Cast of ‘Roseanne’: Where Are They Now?
When a TV show sees a revival, it allows fans to catch up with stars that may have faded from their radar since the original aired. For the cast of Roseanne, most fans were likely familiar with the actors’ ongoing work because many have enjoyed successful entertainment careers in the years since the sitcom ended. But for some of the stars, the show’s spinoff, The Conners, offered a chance to get back in the spotlight.
Here’s where the Roseanne cast wound up.
‘Roseanne’ was a groundbreaking sitcom that paved the way for other shows
Premiering in 1988, Roseanne was ahead of its time in many ways. While the series had the veneer of a lighthearted, comedic — sometimes slapstick-like — family show, it was unafraid to plunge into darker moments. Serious topics included depression, poverty, drug use, health crises, and politics.
In addition, Roseanne offered something unique: a working-class family that lived an average existence relatable to many of its viewers. While many sitcoms are set in luxurious cities with impossibly expensive apartments, Roseanne offered a down-to-earth take on the genre.
Roseanne Barr has been mired in controversy
As the show’s title character, Roseanne Barr became synonymous with her fictional portrayal of Roseanne Conner. Beloved as the sarcastic, wisecracking matriarch, Barr has unfortunately alienated many fans in the years since the series ended in 1997.
The actor has drawn ire and consequences for her bizarre commentary rooted in right-wing conspiracy theories and even got blacklisted from the Roseanne revival series after a racist tweet. As the name changed to The Conners, the spinoff killed Roseanne — via an opioid overdose — and moved on without the character and its star.
Barr has struggled to overcome the reputation and has done little in Hollywood in recent years.
John Goodman used ‘Roseanne’ to launch a long-lasting acting career
John Goodman’s portrayal of Roseanne’s husband, Dan Conner, might still be one of his most recognizable roles, but it isn’t his only major part. Roseanne was a breakthrough for the actor, and he used the success to land roles on both the big and small screens.
Notable appearances include The Big Lebowski (1998) and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and voice work in several successful animated films, including Disney’s Monsters, Inc.
As for TV, Goodman has had recurring roles on Treme, The Righteous Gemstones, and, of course, The Conners.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Goodman’s fortune to be around $45 million, making him one of the most successful of the Roseanne cast members.
Laurie Metcalf has enjoyed theater and TV triumphs
Laurie Metcalf played Roseanne’s sister, Jackie, and the pair’s sibling squabbles were an endearing part of the original series’ success.
Since Roseanne wrapped, Metcalf has continued to act, with recurring roles in The Big Bang Theory, Q-Force, and The Dropout.
She also had several successful stage performances before returning to The Conners as Jackie.
Sara Gilbert has taken her talents behind the scenes
Sara Gilbert rose to fame as the dark and broody teen Darlene Conner on Roseanne. Since then, she’s continued to act (including reuniting with Galecki on the set of The Big Bang Theory) but also moved behind the scenes to work as a producer.
According to IMDb, Gilbert has produced The Talk (where she also co-hosts) and The Conners, where she is largely credited with shepherding the revival into existence.
Johnny Galecki has continued his on-camera career
Arguably the most successful of the Roseanne cast, Johnny Galecki has seen his net worth skyrocket to $100 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth) thanks in no small part to his starring role on The Big Bang Theory.
Galecki returned to The Conners in a limited capacity to reprise his role as David Healy — Darlene’s boyfriend and later husband. In the spinoff, Darlene navigated a love triangle and had to make big decisions about the couple’s future, but Galecki’s part remained small.
‘The Conners’ was a revival for Michael Fishman
One Roseanne cast member who saw a career revival with The Conners was Michael Fishman.
The child actor who portrayed D.J. Conner didn’t do much acting following the end of Roseanne. Beyond a few shorts and guest appearances, Fishman remained offscreen until he returned to The Conners to reprise his old role.
