ACTOR
Laurie Metcalf
- Known for
- Roseanne (1988), The Conners (2018), The Dropout (2022), Somewhere in Queens (2022)
23 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
Laurie Metcalf is an actor best known for Roseanne, The Conners and The Dropout.
All facts (23)
- #001
The Student Experimental Theatre at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville — the Metcalf Theatre — is named after Laurie Metcalf.
- #002
Metcalf is a founding ensemble member of the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Her former husband, Jeff Perry, was one of the group's three founders.
- #003
As of 2018, she had appeared in three films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: JFK (1991), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Lady Bird (2017).
- #004
She appeared in more episodes of the Roseanne/The Conners franchise than anyone else.
- #005
She has four children: a daughter, Zoe Perry (Zoe Michelle Perry Metcalf; born September 26, 1983), from her first marriage to Jeff Perry; two sons, Will Theron Roth (born November 20, 1993) and Donovan Roth (born 2000, whom she adopted in 2006); and a daughter, Mae Akins Roth (born July 3, 2005, via a surrogate), with her second former husband, Matt Roth.
- #006
She teaches acting classes at the Steppenwolf Theatre School West in Los Angeles, California.
- #007
She earned her bachelor's degree in Theatre from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, in 1976.
- #008
She is an active member of UNICEF.
- #009
She could type 90 words per minute.
- #010
She is the great-grandniece of screenwriter, poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Zoe Akins (Zoe was the sister of Laurie's maternal great-grandfather, James Duff Akins).
- #011
She met her former husband Matt Roth in 1992 on the set of Roseanne, while he was playing Fisher, the abusive boyfriend of her character Jackie.
- #012
She grew up in the town of Edwardsville, Illinois.
- #013
Her three consecutive Emmy wins for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Roseanne were presented by: Roseanne and John Goodman in 1992; John Ratzenberger and George Wendt in 1993; and Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce in 1994.
- #014
She was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in David Mamet's November.
- #015
She is best known for the role of Jackie Harris on Roseanne (1988).
- #016
She is a staunch liberal Democrat who supported the presidencies of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
- #017
She won the 1987 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Play for Educating Rita at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.
- #018
In 1994, she was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Supporting Role for Libra at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.
- #019
She graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1973.
- #020
David Mamet's play November was staged at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City.
- #021
Laurie Metcalf was nominated for the 1980 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in "Getting Out" at the Wisdom Bridge Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
- #022
Laurie Metcalf won the 1985 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the play "Coyote Ugly" at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.
- #023
Laurie Metcalf is of English, German, Scottish, Irish and more distant Scotch-Irish/Northern Irish descent.
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