‘Roseanne’ Star Michael Fishman Sends Clear Message to Roseanne Barr’s Attack

Michelle Stein November 4, 2026, 9:53 am

Roseanne Barr and Michael Fishman on 'Roseanne' — Carsey-Werner / Paramount Television / ABC / courtesy Everett Collection

What To Know

Michael Fishman said the 2018 Roseanne revival was rightfully canceled after Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet.
Barr responded by insulting Fishman on her podcast, but he said he still loves and cares about his former co-star.
Fishman emphasized setting boundaries despite disagreements and said he remains open to communicating with Barr.

Roseanne star Michael Fishman sent a clear message to Roseanne Barr‘s attack amid a public feud with his former onscreen mom.

In August, Fishman posted an Instagram video declaring that the 2018 Roseanne reboot “was rightfully cancelled” following Barr’s racist Tweet. Fishman, 45, played D.J. Conner, Roseanne (Barr) and Dan Conner (John Goodman), in the beloved sitcom.

Barr then unleashed on Fishman in September, calling him a “f***ing little worm” and a “brainwashed bigot” on her Can’t Be Censored Podcast.

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In an interview with E! News published on November 2, Fishman issued a public response to Barr’s sharp criticism. “I loved Roseanne from the first moment I met her at the audition, and she and I bonded,” he told the outlet. “And that just grew over the course of the show.”

He added, “I’m always going to love her. I’m always going to care about her.”

Fishman then pointed out that their situation is “something a lot of people are going through in the private sense, which is we all love our family members. It does not mean we agree all the time. And the truth about that is just because you don’t agree, it doesn’t mean you stop loving each other.”

Still, Fishman explained that it’s crucial to “set your own boundaries” and “have clear delineation about what you believe and what you stand for.”

“The public comments are what they are,” he admitted. “The reality is I’ve never said anything negative publicly about her. I don’t have a reason to. I’m always going to care about her.”

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To conclude his thoughts on the feud with Barr, Fishman proclaimed that his love for her “has never wavered.”

He explained, “I’ve reached out to give her support and care about her. That doesn’t mean we agree. And we have to be very clear where we stand and responsible for how we stand. She always knows how to reach me. There’s never a time I’m going to refuse communication.”

Roseanne aired on ABC for 10 seasons from 1988 to 1997. In addition to Barr, Fishman, and Goodman, the beloved sitcom starred Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, Johnny Galecki, Natalie West, and Sarah Chalke. In March 2018, a Roseanne revival premiered—but was swiftly canceled that May after Barr’s tweet. A spinoff titled The Conners premiered in October 2018 and ran for seven seasons, ending in April 2025.

Roseanne, streaming on Peacock; The Conners, streaming on Netflix, Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, Philo, and Plex