The Conners, the rebranded sequel series to the original Roseanne of the 1990s, is in its fifth season and there seem to be some hints that there will be a major character death by the end. The show has never shied away from difficult subjects and made its name by tackling contemporary issues with humor and nuance. The main cast of characters have all dealt with adversity and struggle, and 20 years later, some characters are still navigating their issues.
When Roseanne was renewed after a long hiatus, fans were excited to see beloved former cast members return to old roles. Many of the actors from the original run returned for the renewal while others went on different paths, and it's worthwhile to see what everyone has been doing since, whether it's continuing on The Conners, starring in other popular sitcoms, or even getting nominated for an Academy Award.
Natalie West
Crystal Anderson
Natalie West was a regular Roseanne cast member for two seasons. She played Crystal Anderson, Roseanne's neurotic best friend who ends up becoming her stepmother after marrying Dan Conner's father.
After her run on Roseanne West appeared in a handful of films including Nate & Margaret, but her main focus was the stage, and she was a regular face on the Chicago theater scene. West has also appeared in two episodes of The Conners.
Sandra Bernhard
Nancy Lynn Bartlett
Sandra Bernhard played Nancy Lynn Bartlett, the wife of Arnie, one of Dan's friends, who would eventually come out as a lesbian. Nancy could be self-centered, but she was an incredibly loyal friend, and her character were enhanced by Bernhard's comedic talents.
The versatile Bernhard has a large catalog of television and film appearances along with releasing several records and books. She appeared in an episode of American Horror Story:Apocalypse, and became a regular on the 2022 season, American Horror Story: NYC. Bernhard continues to tour all across the U.S. as a singer and comedian.
Martin Mull
Leon Carp
Veteran of both the big and small screen, character actor Martin Mull played Leon Carp, Roseanne's boss turned business partner and begrudging friend.
Mull is best known for his work in the cult classic movie Clue and '90s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. His notable post-Roseanne projects include narrating the 2018 little-seen but fascinating A Futile and Stupid Gesture as a grown-up Doug Kenny, guest-starring on Community as Britta Perry's father, and of course, playing "Master of Disguise", Gene Parmesan, on Arrested Development.
Johnny Galecki
David Maurice Healy
The more polite and polished of the Healy brothers, David Healy was the boyfriend and then husband of Darlene Conner, and he returned to The Conners for two seasons. However, actor Johnny Galecki is much more known his role in another sitcom.
Galecki played protagonist Leonard Hofstadter on smash-hit series The Big Bang Theory, the "straight man" who pined for his neighbor across the hall. The actor has had smaller roles in other films and television shows as well.
Glenn Quinn
Mark Healy
Actor Glenn Quinn played Mark Healy on Roseanne for nearly the entirety of its '90s run. Mark was a rebellious teen going nowhere fast, but he grew up over time thanks to help from the Conners.
Quinn went on to play Allen Francis Doyle, one of the most likable characters in Angelfor a short time afterward. However, the actor tragically passed away in 2002 at the age of 32. His role was not recast, and Roseanne's "Eggs Over, Not Easy" episode was dedicated to him.
Estelle Parsons
Beverly Harris
Estelle Parsons returned to The Conners as Beverly "Bev" Harris at age 95 and the character remains as critical and bossy as ever as the elderly grandmother of the Conner clan.
Parsons had a long rich history of acting before Roseanne, including winning an Academy Award for Bonnie and Clyde. After Roseanne, the actress remained largely out of the spotlight except for a few TV experiences, which include Grace and Frankie and The Good Wife.
Sarah Chalke
Becky Conner-Healy
Becky Conner has the fortune of being played by not one but two talented actors. Sarah Chalke took over the role of the eldest Conner child in seasons 6,7, and 9 while Alicia Goranson went to college. Chalke played Becky Conner as the same spoiled, put-together daughter that audiences had come to love.
Chalke had a fantastic career after the show, claiming a lead role on Scrubs as Dr. Elliot Reid as well as lending her voice to a number of Netflix animated shows. Currently, she is the voice of Beth Smith on Adult Swim's Rick and Morty.
Alicia "Lecy" Goranson
Becky Conner
The first actor to play Becky Conner, Goranson resumed her role in 2018 and is now a main character on The Conners. As an adult, Becky Conner is more or less the same person she was as a child but with added adult pressures and vices, like an addiction to alcohol.
Before The Conners, Goranson could be seen on episodes of Sex and the City, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Fringe, Damages, and Inside Amy Schumer.
Sara Gilbert
Darlene Conner
Sara Gilbert plays Darlene Conner in both The Conners and Roseanne and has been a series lead each time. The domineering Darlene is the closest of the Conner children to her mother.
Between her major Roseanne franchise roles, Gilbert appeared in many television shows. And for a period, she and her Roseanne co-star Johnny Galecki both starred in The Big Bang Theory. Gilbert played Leslie Winkle, one of Leonard's colleagues and occasional rival to Sheldon. Though Gilbert was a regular in season 2, Leslie became a TBBT character who was forgotten by the end.
Michael Fishman
D.J. Conner
The oldest son of the Conner family, D.J. Conner is a rebellious boy who is often at the center of some of the more serious Roseanne episodes. In The Conners, D.J. returns from Syria after serving in the military and adjusts to being a civilian and a single parent.
Fishman was not asked to return for season 5 of the show and Deadline that he will be pursuing directing and writing opportunities. Fishman became Roseanne's sidekick on The Roseanne Show in 1999 after the series.
Laurie Metcalf
Jackie Harris
Laurie Metcalf played Jackie Harris, Roseanne's younger, neurotic sister throughout all of Roseanne as well as The Conners and with Roseanne Barr's departure, she plays an even larger part.
Between the seasons of the show, Metcalf has stayed incredibly busy. She has an extensive filmography, in addition to being a renowned, Tony-winning actress. In 2017, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as Marion McPherson in one of Greta Gerwig's best films, Lady Bird.
John Goodman
Dan Conner
John Goodman played Roseanne patriarch Dan Conner, a role he reprises in The Conners. Goodman won a Golden Globe for his performance as Dan, and he is part of one of the best sitcom couples of all time.
Goodman has continued his prolific screen work since his time on Roseanne, currently starring both in The Conners and HBO's The Righteous Gemstones. He has also been in several major Hollywood films, including Kong: Skull Island, Monster's Inc., and Argo.
Roseanne Barr
Roseanne Conner
The titular character of Roseanne, Roseanne Barr brought Roseanne Conner to televisions across the country. Her tough sense of humor and fierce "working-class" goddess personality were not popular on sitcoms before she arrived, and her role garnered her an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
However, Barr has now become just as famous for her many controversies. In 2018, Barr's insensitive online posts led to the swift cancelation of Roseanne, and the creation of spinoff The Conners, which Barr is not on. Earlier this year it was announced that Barr would release A Roseanne Comedy Special in 2023 through Fox Nation.
Source:gamerant.com