Goodman enjoyed a slew of minor parts and bit roles throughout the 80s. Of particular note was his 1987 casting in the Joel Coen directed Raising Arizona, where he played opposite Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and Frances McDormand. This sparked a continuing friendship and professional collaboration between the Coen brothers and Goodman. He went on to star in many of their films including, but not limited to, Barton Fink, with John Turturro; The Big Lebowski, with Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi; and O Brother, Where Art Thou, with George Clooney.

But it was 1988 that really launched Goodman’s career and forever put to rest his days as a struggling waiter. He was cast as Dan Conner in the widely successful and popular television series Roseanne. From 1988 to 1997, Goodman played Roseanne Barr’s husband and father to their three children. His role was even ranked #13 in the 50 Greatest TV Dads poll by TV Guide.

Goodman has performed in an impressive number of roles, but some of his most immediately recognizable work was in The Flintstones, with Elizabeth Perkins, Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry, Rosie O’Donnell, and Kyle MacLachlan; Fallen, with Denzel Washington; and as the lovable voice of Sulley in Monsters, Inc., with other vocal talents Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, and Jennifer Tilly.

Goodman is also noted as being one of the most sought after hosts of the late night comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live. He has hosted twelve times, and portrayed the now-infamous Linda Tripp of the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky sex scandal.

Despite Goodman’s success, there has been the occasional low point in his career. His television series about a gay man returning to his small, hometown titled Normal, Ohio only ran for only one season in 2000. It was widely panned and pulled from the airwaves. His other sitcom attempt, Center of the Universe, found a similar fate.

Goodman also completed a television film, The Year Without a Santa Claus , which aired in December of 2006, and he is rumored to be filming Death Sentence with Kevin Bacon.

Goodman has been married to Annabeth Hartzog since October 1989. The couple has one child together, and the family resides in New Orleans.

YUDDY