John Goodman is one of those rare, larger-than-life individuals able to connect with an audience on stage or screen, big or small. His celebrated Everyman quality has brought him success in stage shows (including a star turn on Broadway's "Waiting for Godot" in 2009) to a turn as one of baseball's most beloved and mythic figures, Babe Ruth (in the film of the same name).

The St. Louis native was Roseanne's first choice to play Dan Conner, the hard-working, salt-of-the-Earth patriarch. After finding himself in living rooms across the country and in the middle of one of the most volatile productions on TV, he became one of the most sought-after stars, guest stars and guest hosts his SNL appearances being a perennial favorite.

Goodman's list of awards and nominations (Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award, and People's Choice) only begins to demonstrate America's affection for the comic. But behind all that laughter, Goodman had pain: During a 2009 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, he confessed to having a 30-year battle with alcoholism and stated sobriety was the best thing to ever happen to him.

Character Bio

A few words to describe Dan Conner: burly, barrel-chested, long-suffering, caring and quirky. A former high-school jock, he's now an armchair quarterback. More often than not, he can be found watching his favorite sports program with daughter Darlene. He clearly has a soft spot for his tomboyish middle child, but it's eldest daughter Becky who's the apple of his eye. For her, no boy is good enough -- especially not Mark Healy. As for his youngest and only son D.J., Dan's motto is "boys will be boys." Dan believes, mistakenly, that he's the king of his castle and that he and the other man of the house should feel free to "retire to the living room where they can burp freely and scratch themselves."

Frustrated that he might not be a good enough provider, Dan bids on freelance drywall contracts while waiting for his ship to come in. He also takes several other side jobs, including hot tub salesman, clerk in a big & tall men's shop, bus mechanic, and the most important job of all, owner/operator of the Lanford Cycle Shop. Dan loves motorcycles. But as is usually the case in Lanford, the shop can not sustain itself, and even though he and Roseanne put in countless hours, they can't make a go of it. Long estranged from his own parents, Dan vows to give his children the time and attention they deserve, no matter how dysfunctional that may be. Dan's love for his family makes him a loveable dad, dutiful husband and all-around fun guy.