John Goodman, best known for his role as Dan Conner on the sitcom Roseanne, has stunned fans with his recent appearance in an Instagram selfie, revealing a dramatic weight loss of more than 200 pounds. The 74-year-old actor was photographed alongside Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place star David DeLuise, who encountered Goodman while shopping at a supermarket.
Fans React to Goodman's Transformation
The photograph quickly went viral, with many noting how different Goodman looks compared to his time on Roseanne, which aired from 1988 to 1997. During the show's original run, his character's weight was a frequent topic, but Goodman later revealed that his own weight had reached as much as 400 pounds.
Turning Point: Quitting Alcohol
Goodman's health journey took a pivotal turn after he stopped drinking in 2007. He had battled alcoholism for decades and eventually entered rehab, later describing the decision as a life-changing moment. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, he said: "It was 30 years of a disease that was taking its toll on everyone around me and it had got to the point where, every time I did it, it was becoming more and more debilitating. It was life or death. It was time to stop."
Diet and Exercise Regimen
After quitting alcohol, Goodman began altering his diet and exercise routine. By 2010, he had reportedly lost 100 pounds following a strict regime that eliminated sugar and involved working with celebrity trainer Mackie Shilstone. His fitness plan included walking, treadmill, and elliptical sessions, with a daily goal of 10,000 to 12,000 steps. He also adopted a Mediterranean-inspired diet.
Goodman later emphasized that portion control was key to maintaining his weight loss. "Portion control," he told AARP magazine, contrasting his previous habit of "just shoving everything into my mouth."
Ongoing Commitment and Humor
Goodman has been candid about the risk of regaining weight, joking that he doesn't want to be a cautionary tale. "But I don't want to be an example to anybody when the weight comes thundering back on - when I start eating Crisco out of the can with a spoon and a side of confectioner's sugar," he said. By 2023, he revealed he had lost approximately 200 pounds, though his fitness routine had become less intense due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting his boxing sessions.
In a Rolling Stone interview, Goodman admitted: "I haven't been exercising, but I'm going to start a routine again this summer where I can get some stuff done. I've just let everything go just because I haven't had the energy because of the jobs."
DeLuise's Delight
David DeLuise seemed equally thrilled to meet Goodman, posting the selfie on Instagram with the caption: "He was my childhood ! ! Legend ! I love that I get to say that to someone ;) if you know you know."
Beyond Roseanne: Upcoming Projects
Goodman's career extends far beyond Roseanne. He has several projects in the works, including the podcast drama Hindsight: The Day Before, where he plays Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. He is also set to appear as himself in The Hollywood Hitman and has a role in the horror film Skeletons alongside Brie Larson and Willa Fitzgerald. Additionally, he will star with Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed in Digger, an oil industry satire directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, known for Birdman and The Revenant.
