John Goodman Reflects on Turmoil Behind ‘Roseanne’ Success

LOS ANGELES, CA — John Goodman, the star of the iconic sitcom ‘Roseanne,’ shared his struggles during the show’s peak, revealing how fame and pressure affected his life. After ‘Roseanne’ soared to the top of the ratings in the late 1980s, Goodman faced immense challenges that led him to alcoholism.

Goodman admitted that his fame made it difficult to live a normal life. He could not go out without being recognized, and the pressures of the show began to take a toll. ‘John would pound the walls and scream,’ Goodman recalled, reflecting on how stressful the set became as tensions rose.

In a candid interview, Goodman explained that by the seventh season, he felt overwhelmed and contemplated quitting the show. ‘I got complacent and ungrateful,’ he stated. ‘I wanted to leave the show. I handled it like I did everything else, by sittin’ on a bar stool. And that made it worse.’

Goodman’s drinking intensified, and by the time he reached his lowest point, he told The New York Times, “I didn’t even want to be an actor anymore.” Even Roseanne Barr, the show’s lead, noted, ‘John used to go berserk on the set all the time, just out of nervousness.’

In 1995, Goodman made the bold move to walk off the set, officially telling producers he was quitting. ‘The show was ready to die after the sixth season, and it lasted nine,’ he said. However, financial concerns kept him from leaving, as producers hinted they might take his house if he walked away.

Despite the chaos, Goodman found redemption upon the show’s reboot in 2018, where he returned sober and ready to embrace his role once again. Reflecting on the series’ legacy, he remarked, ‘I think a lot of people connected with the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck. And we try to handle it with humor.’

Now, as ‘The Conners’ enters its final season, Goodman looks back fondly at his journey, appreciating the support from the audience. He expresses gratitude for the show’s enduring impact, stating, ‘I started looking back fondly and realized how lucky I had been.’ Goodman’s story is a reminder of the complexities of fame and the personal battles many face behind the scenes.