Laurie Metcalf is probably best known as the relationship-challenged Jackie Harris (a role that won her three Emmy Awards) on Roseanne, but her acting career began many years prior as one of the founding members of Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theatre. It was there she first worked with such fine actors as John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. She later earned kudos in the Broadway production of David Mamet's "November," and in 2009, she signed on to perform in Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Bound for Broadway."

Metcalf made her film debut as Rosanna Arquette's sister-in-law in the 1985 cult film Desperately Seeking Susan. She has since appeared in the films Stop-Loss and Georgia Rule, and her easy-going affability has brought her equal success on TV, where her extensive resume includes The Big Bang Theory (with former Roseanne co-star Johnny Galecki), Easy Money, Desperate Housewives and Third Rock from the Sun.

Fun fact: Metcalf's daughter Zoe played "Young Jackie Harris" when Roseanne featured flash-back episodes.

Character Bio

Poor, poor Jackie. Not only doesn't she know what career path to follow (assembly line worker at Wellman Plastics, long haul trucker, police officer, masseuse), she doesn't seem to have much luck with men, either. A long line of suitors (some with names like Booker, Fisher etc.) move in and out of her life like ships in a port.

Though she's as headstrong as Roseanne, Jackie lacks the street smarts of her big sister. Abusive relationships (both verbal and physical) and a lot of heartache are the result. Some of her troubles in life can clearly be traced to the bizarre relationship Jackie has with her parents: Her father was a physical abuser whose death is cause for morbid celebration, and her mother is a passive-aggressive emotional wreck. But her salvation, on a daily basis, is her big sister; it's Roseanne who guides her through the obstacle course of life.

One thing Jackie does enjoy is the sport of "mother-baiting" she'll do her best to get mom Bev's goat. She prefers doing it in person, telling her mother she's pregnant and plans to raise the child as a single mom. If that's not possible, a telephone call ending with the simple words "Bite me" will also do in a pinch.