John Goodman, in full John Stephen Goodman, (born on June 20, 1952, in Affton, Missouri, USA), is an American actor perhaps best known for his longtime role as Dan Conner in the television series Roseanne (1988- 97; 2018).
Early Life of John Goodman:
Goodman was born in Affton, Missouri. Her father, Leslie Francis Goodman, was a postal worker who died of a heart attack when John was two years old. Goodman’s mother, Virginia Roos (nee Loosmore), was a waitress at Jack and Phil’s BarBQue, employed in a retail store, and even did the laundry to support the family.
Goodman has a younger sister, Elisabeth, born six months after her father’s death, and an older brother, Leslie, who is 14 years her senior. He is of English, German and Welsh descent and was raised in a Southern Baptist.
Goodman described his childhood as lonely and withdrawn after his father died so early and his brother left for college.
Until ninth grade, Goodman was in the Boy Scouts, which he said gave him the structure and camaraderie he lacked; he also viewed scout leaders, and later interim coaches, as father figures.
As a child, Goodman spent a lot of time listening to the radio and reading comics.
Goodman went to Affton High School, where he played football (offensive guard and defensive tackle) and tried his hand at the theatre.
After graduating in 1970, he took a year off.
He received a football scholarship from Missouri State University (then called Southwest Missouri State University, or “SMSU”) in Springfield. He discovered the acting program and studied there with future Hollywood stars Kathleen Turner and Tess Harper.
Goodman graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1975. In 2013, the university awarded Goodman an honorary degree in human literature.
The career of John Goodman:
In 1983, he made his first film appearance with “Eddie Macon’s Run”, directed by Jeff Kanew. In the film, he played the minor role of “Herbert”.
In 1985, he was part of the cast of the hit Broadway musical, “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. The musical was based on Mark Twain’s novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.
In 1987, he played the role of “Gale Snoats” in the comedy film “Raising Arizona”, directed by the Coen brothers. The film is best known for its visual gags and symbolic elements.
Since 1988, he has appeared in the American sitcom “Roseanne”, a successful television series, which airs on the ABC network. In the show, he played the role of “Dan Conner”.
In 1991 he starred in the American comedy film “King Ralph”, directed by David S.Room. The film was very successful and is based on the novel “Headlong” by Emlyn Williams.
In 1992, he voiced the role of “Frosty the Snowman” in the animated Christmas television special “Frosty Returns”. The show aired on CBS Television.
Starred as “Fred Flintstone” in Brian Levant’s comedy, “The Flintstones” in 1994. Although the film received negative reviews, it was a box office success.
In 1998, he starred in the comedy film “The Big Lebowski”, directed by the Coen brothers. The film received good reviews and was screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 1998.
In 2000 it appeared in the romantic comedy film “Coyote Ugly”, based on the real Coyote Ugly Saloon, a bar chain in the U.S. The film was set in New York.
In 2004, he appeared as “Stephen Blauner”, singer / actor Bobby Darin’s talent manager in the biopic “Beyond the Sea”. The film was based on the life of Bobby Darin.
In 2006 she played a vocal role in the animated film “Cars”, directed by John Lasseter. The film has won numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination.
In 2009 he starred as “Graham Bloomwood” in the romantic comedy film “Confessions of a Shopaholic”. The film revolves around the life of a shopaholic journalist.
He played the role of “Al Zimmer” in the silent film “The Artist” in 2011. The film was directed by Michel Hazanavicius and was reissued in France and Belgium the following year.
In 2012, he played the role of “John Chambers” in the historical drama “Argo”, based on the hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.The film was directed by Ben Affleck.
Wife of John Goodman:
Goodman married Annabeth Hartzog, a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1989.
They met at a Halloween party at Tipitina’s while he was filming Everybody’s AllAmerican in New Orleans.
They reside in the Garden District of New Orleans.
Their daughter, Molly Evangeline Goodman (born 1990), works as a production assistant in the film industry.