Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr was an American comedian and TV star who was best known for starring in the widely-popular sitcom about a working class family, "Roseanne" (ABC, 1988-1997, 2018). Barr was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and had a difficult childhood. She dropped out of high school when she was 17, and shortly after got into a horrific car crash that left her with a traumatic brain injury. Shortly after the car crash, Barr was admitted to a mental institution. While staying in the institution, Barr gave birth to her first daughter, who she then gave up for adoption (years later she would reunite with her daughter). Less than a year after being admitted into the institution, Barr was released. When she was 18, Barr told her family she was going to visit a friend in Colorado, but hopped on a bus and never returned home. Once in Colorado, Barr began performing comedy at clubs throughout the city. She eventually developed her style, which was loud, foul-mouthed, and biting-and audiences absolutely loved it! Before long, Barr found her way to Los Angeles, where she began appearing at the famed Comedy Store on L.A.'s iconic Sunset Strip. Then in August of 1985 she nabbed the break of her career when she was asked to perform a set on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (NBC, 1954- ). Barr's performance was a huge success, and immediately catapulted her into the limelight.