John Goodman Recalls Struggles with 'Roseanne' Fame

John Goodman, 74, has spoken about the challenging aspects of achieving widespread fame through his role as Dan Conner in the hit sitcom "Roseanne." In a conversation with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Goodman admitted that the level of celebrity he experienced was initially frightening, stating, “I was frightened… I’m my own worst enemy, by far.”

Goodman explained that as his career gained momentum in the late 1980s and early 1990s, his transition from an independent actor to a public figure was a difficult adjustment. He recalled being advised to get a publicist to manage his newfound fame, a situation he found unsettling. "I just had a bad time dealing with how famous I got all of a sudden, and just [said], ‘Well, that ain’t me,’” he said.

He also mentioned that it took a considerable amount of time to come to terms with his celebrity status and the demands it placed on him, such as the promotional work required for films. Goodman acknowledged the necessity of these tasks, stating, “People put a lot of money into these things, and let’s help each other out and get this done. They have a job to do, and you have to support it.”

Goodman joined "Roseanne" with the intention of finding stability, saying he agreed to the role to stop "living out of a suitcase." He felt an immediate connection with co-star Roseanne Barr, which led him to believe he had secured the job shortly after their initial meeting.

The original run of "Roseanne" aired on ABC for nine seasons from 1988 to 1997, producing 222 episodes and garnering four Emmy Awards. Goodman described the show's unique appeal, contrasting it with the more opulent programming of the era. He remembered Barr’s early sentiment, “just because we’re poor doesn’t make us stupid,” and noted that the Conner family’s strength came from “laughter and obvious love,” which he felt resonated with viewers.

Following "Roseanne," Goodman built a successful film career, appearing in movies such as "The Flintstones," "The Big Lebowski," and "Monsters Inc." He later reprised his role as Dan Conner for the "Roseanne" revival in 2018. However, the reboot was canceled after one season due to controversial remarks made by Barr on social media.

Shortly after the cancellation of the "Roseanne" revival, ABC announced a spin-off series, "The Conners," which would feature the original cast except for Barr. Goodman juggled filming "The Conners" and "The Righteous Gemstones" concurrently. He expressed surprise at the longevity of the "Roseanne" revival and its subsequent spin-off, noting that he initially expected the reboot to be a brief engagement.

In previous statements, Goodman indicated that he had not spoken to Barr for several years and doubted she wished to reconnect. Barr, in turn, had previously expressed feeling “betrayed” by Goodman’s decision to reduce his appearances in the later seasons of "Roseanne."