One of the biggest TV hits of the 1990s, “Roseanne” is making a return to the airwaves 20 years after ending its groundbreaking 10-season run. In advance of the highly anticipated sitcom revival (set to premiere on Mar. 27, 2018), let’s take a look at what the cast of “Roseanne” has been up to since the show ended in 1997.
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Since "Roseanne" left ABC in 1997 after a 10-season run, star Roseanne Barr hosted her own daytime talk show, "The Roseanne Show", which ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 2000. She also appeared in bit parts in such films as "Cecil B. Demented" and David Spade's "Joe Dirt", while the 2016 documentary "Roseanne for President!" chronicled her failed 2012 presidential bid. On the small screen, Barr has guest starred on such series as "3rd Rock from the Sun", "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office". Barr also made some attempts at reality television, including her 2003 ABC docu-series "The Real Roseanne" (which was axed after just two episodes), "Roseanne's Nuts" (which followed her adventures on her Hawaiian macadamia nut farm, lasting just one season) and a stint as judge on the 2014-2015 season of "Last Comic Standing".
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While the "Roseanne" series finale revealed that Dan Conner had died and the entire 10th season was Roseanne Conner's literary fantasy, the character will be very much alive for the revival. Since the show ended, star John Goodman has remained in demand on both the large and small screens. His film work has included roles in "The Big Lebowski", Pixar's "Monsters Inc." (and sequel "Monsters University"), "The Artist", "The Monuments Men", "Trumbo", "Atomic Blonde" and his chilling performance in "10 Cloverfield Lane". On the small screen, Goodman's post-Roseanne work has included roles in "Normal, Ohio", "The West Wing", "Damages", HBO's "Treme" and Amazon political satire "Alpha House".
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Known to fans of "Roseanne" as sister Jackie, Laurie Metcalf has remained busy since the show left the air, working in stage, film and television. On the big screen, Metcalf's voice is featured in all three "Toy Story" films (and the upcoming fourth), in addition to her critically acclaimed turn in 2017's "Lady Bird". Her numerous television roles range from being a series regular on "The Norm Show", "The McCarthys" and HBO's "Getting On", along with guest-starring roles in such series as "Monk", "Without a Trace", Louis C.K.'s "Horace and Pete" and "The Big Bang Theory", in which she plays the recurring role of Sheldon Cooper's conservative mom. Metcalf also appears regularly on Broadway, and in 2017 won her first Tony for her performance in "A Doll's House Part 2".
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Lecy Goranson will return to the role of eldest Conner daughter Becky (which she passed to Canadian Sarah Chalke when she left the show in season six to attend college, and then sharing the role when she returned). Post-"Roseanne" roles on the big screen have included "Boy's Don't Cry" and "The Extra Man", in addition to roles in such TV series as "Sex and the City", "Law & Order: SVU", "Fringe", "Damages" and "Inside Amy Schumer".
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Sarah Chalke will return for the "Roseanne" revival, but won't be playing Becky (she'll portray a brand-new character). The Ottawa-born, Vancouver-raised actress went on to star in CBC drama "Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy" before landing the role of Dr. Elliot Reid on "Scrubs", which ran from 2001 until 2010. More recently, Chalke has made guest-starring appearances on "Grey's Anatomy", "Cougar Town" and "Speechless", in addition to a recurring role on "How I Met Your Mother". She's also been a series regular on "Mad Love", "How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)" and "Backstrom", and continues to voice Beth Smith on quirky animated series "Rick and Morty".
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Following a decade as middle child Darlene Conner, Sara Gilbert appeared in a number of movies (including 2000's "High Fidelity" and 2001's "Riding in Cars with Boys"). She went on to be a series regular in the short-lived TV sitcoms "Welcome to New York" and "Twins", and also had recurring roles on "24", "ER", "The Class" and "The Big Bang Theory", reuniting her with "Roseanne" beau Johnny Galecki. In 2010, Gilbert came out as a lesbian shortly before the launch of CBS daytime chat show "The Talk", on which she serves as creator, exec producer and co-host. Gilbert continues to appear on "The Talk", airing weekdays on Global.
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Admitting he was "devastated" when "Roseanne" ended, Fishman — who played D.J. Conner — appeared in the film "AI: Artificial Intelligence" and, on TV, guest-starred in "Seinfeld" and "Walker: Texas Ranger". He reconnected with his TV mom when he served as co-host on "The Roseanne Show", and recently appeared in ABC's "Battle of the Network Stars".
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Natalie West was a series regular in the third and fourth seasons, and later a recurring character, as Conner family friend Crystal — who later become Dan's stepmother when she married his dad (played by Ned Beatty). After the series ended in 1997, West took a hiatus from television to focus on theatre, primarily in Chicago. She's also appeared in the films "Life Sentence" (2004), "The Poker House" (2008), and starred in the 2012 indie film "Nate & Margaret". West will be returning to reprise Crystal in the "Roseanne" revival.
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Tom Arnold was Roseanne Barr's real-life husband during several seasons of the show, which led to him serving as exec producer and playing Conner family pal Arnie. The couple's tumultuous relationship provided plenty of fodder for tabloids until their messy divorce in 1994. Post-"Roseanne", Arnold appeared in the films "True Lies" and "Nine Months", while on the small screen he starred in the short-lived 1997 sitcom "The Tom Show". His TV gigs have included hosting "The Best Damn Sports Show Period" and "My Big Redneck Wedding", he continues to be a frequent TV guest star on series including "Hawaii Five-0", "Sons of Anarchy", "Hot in Cleveland", "Trailer Park Boys" and many more. Most recently, Arnold appeared in the most recent season of U.K. "celebreality" show "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" While it's doubtful he'll be back for the revival, anything's possible!
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Galecki will be returning to reprise the role of Darlene's boyfriend (later husband) David in the revival. Following the end of "Roseanne", he appeared in such films as "Playing Mona Lisa", "The Opposite of Sex" and "Vanilla Sky", and in TV series including "Norm", "LAX", "Hope & Faith" and "My Name Is Earl". In 2007, he landed the role of Leonard Hofstadter in "The Big Bang Theory", which continues to be television's top-rated sitcom.
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Glenn Quinn played Mark (the brother of Johnny Galecki's character), who wound up marrying Becky. Following "Roseanne", Quinn landed an even more-memorable part when he was cast as seer Doyle on "Angel", the David Boreanaz-starring spinoff of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Sadly, Quinn passed away in 2002 of a heroin overdose. It's not known precisely how the "Roseanne" revival will address the actor's death.
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Known for her roles in films such as "The King of Comedy" and the Bruce Willis flop "Hudson Hawk", the actress/comedian played the recurring role of Conner family friend Nancy (yes, she'll be a part of the revival). Post-"Roseanne" gigs include guest-starring roles on "The Sopranos", "Will & Grace", "Law & Order: SVU", "The L Word", "Hot in Cleveland", "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", "2 Broke Girls" and many more.
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Actor, comedian and artist Martin Mull played the recurring role of Leon Carp, Roseanne's gay boss (who broke ground by participating in one of TV's first primetime same-sex kisses during his character's wedding). While it's not known if fans will be seeing Leon return for the revival, Mull has kept busy. In addition to exhibiting his paintings, Mull continues to be a familiar presence on the small screen since "Roseanne" ended, racking up appearances on such series as "Veep", "Life in Pieces", "The Ranch", "NCIS: Los Angeles" and more.
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Fans of groundbreaking talk show spoof "Fernwood 2 Night" were delighted when Martin Mull was re-teamed with his former co-star Fred Willard, who played Leon's boyfriend and, eventually, husband. Willard made memorable appearances in such films as "Best in Show" and "Anchorman", as well as guest-starring appearances on such TV shows as "Modern Family", "9JKL", "New Girl" and numerous others.
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An Oscar-winner for her performance in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde", Estelle Parsons has been confirmed to reprise the role of Beverly Harris, mother of Roseanne and Jackie. At age 90, Parsons remains a sought-after actress whose recent TV work has included "Grace and Frankie" and "The Good Wife".
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The former "Caddyshack" star played the husband (and eventual ex-husband) of Roseanne's sister Jackie during several seasons (it's not likely he'll return for the revival). O'Keefe later starred in the short-lived TV series "Life's Work", and has appeared in such shows as "Law & Order", "The West Wing", "CSI", "House", "Criminal Minds", "Brothers & Sisters" and "Royal Pains", and recently played recurring characters in "Homeland" and "Masters of Sex".
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During the show's early seasons, George Clooney played the recurring role of factory foreman Booker, but parted ways with the show after just 11 episodes. Wonder what ever happened to him?