As The Conners wraps up its seventh and final season, star John Goodman is finding it tough to say goodbye to one of his most iconic characters. In an emotional interview with People, the 72-year-old actor opened up about the difficulty of parting ways with Dan Conner, a role he first portrayed nearly 40 years ago on Roseanne.
“It’s really hard,” Goodman admits, reflecting on the conclusion of the beloved ABC sitcom. “It’s something I’m going to miss for a while. I’m old and resistant to change.”
Goodman’s journey with Dan Conner began in 1988 on the hit series Roseanne, which ran for nine seasons and earned acclaim for its honest depiction of the working-class family. After the original series ended in 1997, Goodman reprised his role in a reboot of Roseanne in 2018, which was later rebranded as The Conners following controversial remarks from star Roseanne Barr.
“It’s so exciting when we got this together, and it feels like it was just two weeks ago,” Goodman says of the rebooted series. “Showing up every day and just being here with everybody, it’s a great place to work.”
Goodman believes the show’s connection with audiences stems from its portrayal of a “normal family that’s really been up against it,” something that resonates with viewers who see their own struggles reflected on screen. “A lot of people in this country have been up against it for a long time,” he adds.
As The Conners prepares to air its series finale, Goodman expressed his gratitude to ABC for giving the show a proper conclusion. “I’ll be grateful for a long time,” he says, thankful that the network allowed the show to end on its own terms.
While the actor is facing a difficult farewell to his role as Dan, he’s also juggling the end of another successful series, The Righteous Gemstones, where he plays Eli Gemstone. The final episode of that show will air on HBO on May 4, adding to the emotional weight of this chapter in Goodman’s career.
In a previous interview on the Smartless podcast, Goodman shared how his approach to acting has evolved over the years. Reflecting on his five-decade career, Goodman confessed that he had become more cautious when it came to choosing roles. “It’s much different now. I feel like I’m still learning,” he said. “I’ve been trying to be good—and it doesn’t work that way.”
As he nears the end of his time on The Conners, Goodman remains thankful for the opportunity to have played Dan Conner and grateful to the fans who have supported the show over the years.
