ABC has pulled off something pretty incredible for the upcoming Roseanne reboot. Not only is the show just as funny and heartwarming as the original sitcom, which ran between 1988 and 1997, but it also sees the return of the entire original cast (including John Goodman as Dan despite the character’s death, and both of the actresses who played Becky). We basically watched Sara Gilbert and Michael Fishman grow up in front of our eyes! To get you even more excited for the new episodes, take a look at just how much the cast has changed over the last 30 years.
Roseanne Barr as Roseanne Conner
After appearing in all 221 episodes as the wise-cracking Conner family matriarch, Roseanne Barr went on to host her own talk show, The Roseanne Show, for two years. Since then she’s appeared in her own HBO stand-up special, Roseanne Barr: Blonde and Bitchin’, as well as Roseanne’s Nuts, a reality show about her adventures on a Hawaiian farm. The 65-year-old has also popped up in a few episodes of Portlandia and the sitcom Cristela.
John Goodman as Dan Conner
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that movie star John Goodman has sitcom roots and even won a Golden Globe for his role on Roseanne. The hardworking 65-year-old actor has since popped up in everything from The Big Lebowski to A
Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris
Laurie Metcalf took home three Emmys over the years for playing Roseanne’s little sister, Jackie, and has continued racking up critical acclaim. She took home a best actress award at the Tonys for A Doll’s House, Part Two in 2017 and is currently enjoying waves of praise for her nuanced performance in Lady Bird.
Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner
Sara Gilbert followed up her lengthy run on Roseanne with roles on ER, Hawthorne, and Bad Teacher, and she even reunited with old costar Johnny Galecki on The Big Bang Theory. Now, she’s a host and executive producer on the massively popular daytime talk show The Talk.
Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner
We got to watch Michael Fishman grow up before our eyes as the chubby-cheeked D.J. These days you can catch the 36-year-old in movies like Undrafted and Adi Shankar’s Gods and Secrets.
Alicia Goranson as Becky Conner #1
Alicia Goranson played Becky for the first few seasons until she left to attend college off screen, but she didn’t stop acting altogether. She’s nabbed parts in Sex and the City, Fringe, and Inside Amy Schumer.
Sarah Chalke as Becky Conner #2
Sarah Chalke took over as Becky when Goranson left and has had a successful TV career ever since. Despite the two Beckys problem, the Scrubs and Rick and Morty alum is still set to appear in the reboot. Apparently the production team has written an entirely new role for her: a middle-class married woman named Andrea who convinces Becky (Goranson) to be her surrogate.
Johnny Galecki as David Healy
Johnny Galecki might have got his start as Darlene’s boyfriend (and later, husband) David, but the 42-year-old has since carved out a name for himself as Leonard Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory. He’s been in 245 episodes of the CBS sitcom, as well as movies like Rings and CBGB.
