Best known for his roles in the long-running show *Roseanne* and the film *The Big Lebowski*, John Goodman has always been a fan favorite.
Throughout the 1980s, Goodman appeared in several movies, including *Big River* (1985), *Raising Arizona* (1987), and *Antony and Cleopatra* (1987). However, it was his portrayal of Dan Conner in *Roseanne* that catapulted him to stardom almost overnight.
Goodman once shared with *People* how much he enjoyed the role. “He’s like a lot of guys I know. In the wintertime, they don’t work because construction is sporadic. I don’t want to have to stand for the American working man, but if this guy’s gonna be one, I’d rather have him be semi-intelligent, not a dumb beast who sucks down beer all day.”
Beyond his TV and movie roles, Goodman has lent his voice to many characters in shows such as *American Dad!*, *The Simpsons*, *Cars*, *The Princess and the Frog*, and *The Emperor’s New Groove*.
Reflecting on his fame, Goodman mentioned that he never aspired to be famous; he just wanted to act. “I’m apprehensive about fame,” he told *People*. “I’ve known people whom it bothers a great deal, and I’m kind of a shy person. Lately, people are starting to put my face with my name, instead of thinking I’m either somebody they went to high school with or did time with.”
However, there were periods over the years when he struggled to find work, leading to severe drinking problems. Unfortunately, the heavy drinking resulted in depression and other mental health issues for the actor.
Recalling the filming of *Roseanne*, Goodman says he remembers drinking on set. “At first, it was exciting,” he told *Today*. “Then it got frightening when I lost my anonymity. I got complacent and ungrateful. And after nine years—eight years, I wanted to leave the show,” he continued. “I handled it like I did everything else, by sittin’ on a bar stool. And that made it worse.”
He was first diagnosed with depression in 2007, the same year he entered rehab. Fortunately, he has managed to stay sober since then.
Discussing his depression, *The Big Lebowski* star described it as a “chemical issue, a brain thing,” manifesting as “wide unhappiness with everything.”
As part of his journey to stay sober and lead a healthier life, Goodman also lost a significant amount of weight.
There were rumors that he had undergone bariatric surgery, but the actor denied these and said he changed his physical appearance with the help of fitness guru and personal trainer Mackie Shilstone.
Goodman lost over 100 lbs, but notes that the process was lengthy. “This didn’t happen overnight — it’s been an ongoing process,” Shilstone told the *New York Post*. “There needs to be strategic planning. This time, he really wanted to do it.”
Shilstone mentioned that Goodman adopted the Mediterranean diet, which is “primarily plant-based, with a decreased intake of red meat, lots of fruits and vegetables, and strongly driven by olive oil.”
In addition to a healthier diet, Goodman started exercising six days a week.
