John Goodman has left fans stunned after a recent photo of the actor went viral, with many saying they barely recognized the star known for playing Dan Conner on the hit sitcom “Roseanne.”
Goodman, who starred alongside Roseanne Barr in the iconic 1988 comedy and played the father of the Conner family, became one of television’s most recognizable actors. The role was a major breakthrough for him, though he later appeared in numerous successful films and series, including “The Big Lebowski,” “10 Cloverfield Lane” and “The Flintstones.”
The actor has long been known for his larger frame, but a recent image shared online sparked widespread reactions.
David DeLuise, known for his role in “Wizards of Waverly Place,” posted a photo of himself with Goodman after meeting him at a supermarket.
“He was part of my childhood!!” DeLuise wrote. “Legend! I love that I can say that to someone, you know what I mean.”
While DeLuise appeared to be referring to the experience of meeting someone whose work shaped his childhood, many online commenters focused on Goodman’s noticeably slimmer appearance.
“He was one of my favorite TV dads of the ’80s and ’90s,” one fan wrote. “I loved him in ‘Roseanne’ and ‘The Conners.’ I also loved him as Fred Flintstone. He looks amazing.”
“Is that really John Goodman? He is unrecognizable,” another commenter wrote.
“John Goodman is a legend, he looks great,” another fan added, while another wrote: “It’s hard getting older because the stars I love are getting older too, but he is amazing and looks amazing.”
Goodman has previously spoken openly about his health journey.
In 2010, the actor told People magazine that he had lost more than 45 kilograms after cutting sugar from his diet and exercising six days a week. He also stopped drinking alcohol in 2007.
“I sweat, but I don’t go crazy,” he said at the time.
John Goodman
(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images )
Goodman, now 74, revealed during an appearance on David Letterman’s show that he had approached 180 kilograms at his heaviest.
“I’d finish ‘Roseanne’ every spring. I’d lose 60 pounds every spring,” he said, according to TV Guide. “And then I became too fond of barley,” he added, referring to beer, explaining that he would regain the weight and add more.
Speaking about quitting alcohol, Goodman said: “I just got tired of it. I was sick and tired of looking at myself. You shave in front of the mirror and you don’t want to look at yourself. It gets dangerous.”
“I wanted to live life better,” he added.
Goodman recently spoke again about his healthier lifestyle in an Instagram video posted on July 8 by Simpson’s in the Strand restaurant in London.
“I don’t barbecue anymore, because I don’t drink anymore,” he said. “Barbecue is a good excuse to get drunk.”