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John Goodman -

John Stephen Goodman was born on June 20, 1952, in Affton, Missouri. As a youngster, he showed an early interest in film, but it was a football scholarship that took him to Southwest Missouri State University. An injury, however, ended his chances of playing professionally, and instead the large, imposing 1.88-m (6ft 2in) Goodman began studying drama.

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Early career -

After graduating, the aspiring actor moved to New York City. There he found work in voice-over television commercials and in the theater. In 1981, he appeared in 'Henry IV, Part I' (pictured), a Shakespeare in the Park production. He also appeared on Broadway in 'Big River,' which ran from 1984–1985.

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'True Stories' (1986) -

Goodman had made his film debut in 1983 with a small role in 'Eddie Macon's Run.' Other blink-and-miss movie appearances followed before he landed his big break in cinema with a significant comedic role in 1986's 'True Stories.'

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Marriage to Anna Beth Hartzog -

In 1989, John Goodman married successful business executive Anna Beth Hartzog.

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Family man -

The couple have a daughter, film production assistant Molly Evangeline, seen here with her dad in 2011.

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'Roseanne' (1988–1997) -

It was in television that Goodman truly rose to fame though, portraying Dan Conner opposite Roseanne Barr in the sitcom 'Roseanne.'

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All-American blue-collar family man -

Goodman garnered seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his role on the show. In 1993, he finally won a Golden Globe for his efforts. He returned to the character in 2018 for the revived but short-lived 10th season (thanks to controversial remarks from Roseanne Barr that made her persona non grata in Hollywood).

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'The Conners' (2018–present) -

After 'Roseanne' was canceled, Goodman stayed on for the show's subsequent spin-off, 'The Conners,' starring opposite Laurie Metcalf.

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'Raising Arizona' (1987) -

During his successful run on 'Roseanne,' Goodman's film career also took off. In 1987, he worked for the first time with the Coen brothers, appearing in 'Raising Arizona' alongside Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and Frances McDormand. It marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration with the maverick filmmaking siblings.

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'Sea of Love' (1989) -

Goodman extended his acting range beyond comedy in 'Sea of Love,' a neo-noir thriller in which he portrayed a police detective working alongside Al Pacino's fellow gumshoe to snare a serial killer.

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'Barton Fink' (1991) -

Goodman's second turn in a Coen brothers' production saw the actor play the seemingly friendly and neighborly Charlie Meadows, the insurance salesman who lives next door to Barton Fink (John Turturro). But Meadows hides a dark and deadly secret that's only revealed towards the end of this weird, off-center psychological thriller.

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'The Flintstones' (1994) -

Despite mostly negative reviews from critics, 'The Flintstones' found favor with audiences around the world. In fact, Goodman's portrayal of Fred Flintstone was singled out by fans of the original 1960s animated television series of the same name. Funnily enough, Steven Spielberg played a role in securing Goodman as Flintstone. Years earlier, the director announced that he'd "found his Fred Flintstone" after casting Goodman in his 1989 movie 'Always.'

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'The Borrowers' (1997) -

John Goodman received top billing as a crooked lawyer in the fantasy comedy 'The Borrowers,' which was shot on location in the United Kingdom. The film received generally positive reviews upon its release.

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'The Big Lebowski' (1998) -

Goodman teamed up with Jeff Bridges for 'The Big Lebowski,' which premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. Coen brothers regular Steve Buscemi costarred alongside Sam Elliott and Julianne Moore in this crime comedy that's known for its outstanding soundtrack as much as its complex plot.

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'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' (2000) -

Very much a Coen brothers' stalwart, Goodman played more of a supporting role in 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' portraying a one-eyed mugger and Ku Klux Klan member who masquerades as a Bible salesman.

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'Monsters, Inc.' (2001) -

Goodman has lent his voice to a number of animated comedies, but perhaps his best-known vocalization is as James P. "Sulley" Sullivan, a huge, intimidating, but well-meaning creature and one of the stars of 'Monsters, Inc.'

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'Pope Joan' (2009) -

Known in Germany as 'Die Päpstin,' 'Pope Joan' saw John Goodman portray Pope Sergius II in Bernd Eichinger's international cinema epic. He's pictured with German actress Johanna Wokalek at the film's world premiere in Berlin.

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'You Don't Know Jack' (2010) -

In 2010, Goodman teamed up with his 'Sea of Love' co-star Al Pacino for 'You Don't Know Jack,' a made-for-television biopic about Dr. Jack Kevorkian (Pacino), who assisted dozens of terminally ill patients in ending their lives, but was believed by many to be a murderer. Susan Sarandon shared top billing.

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'Argo' (2012) -

Ben Affleck's 'Argo' included Goodman as American makeup artist and prosthetic makeup expert John Chambers, who together with CIA operative Tony Mendez (Affleck) led the rescue of six US diplomats from Tehran during the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis.

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Outstanding cast -

Among numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Picture, the cast of 'Argo' won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

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'Inside Llewyn Davis' (2013) -

The following year, 2013, Goodman appeared in his fifth Coen brothers movie, the critically-acclaimed black comedy 'Inside Llewyn Davis.'

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'Monsters University' (2013) -

The actor was back in his animated guise as Sulley in 'Monsters University,' a prequel to 'Monsters, Inc.' The adventure comedy pleased critics and was a huge hit worldwide.

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'The Monuments Men' (2014) -

He followed this with the George Clooney-directed 'The Monuments Men.' The film follows the work of an Allied group of art experts tasked with recovering artwork looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. Clooney, Matt Damon, and Bill Murray rank among the cast.

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'10 Cloverfield Lane' (2016) -

The claustrophobic but highly effective '10 Cloverfield Lane' follows the story of a young woman who ends up in an underground bunker with two men who insist that a catastrophic event has left the surface of Earth uninhabitable. It had Goodman radiating a darker, more menacing personality throughout the film.

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'Patriots Day' (2016) -

Goodman portrayed real-life Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis in 'Patriots Day,' which examines the events leading up to, during, and after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Goodman's dramatic weight loss (he shed 45 kg, around 100 lbs) was by now evident, and was initially met with rumors of illness. But it was a strict program of exercise, careful dieting, and food journaling that had the actor to slim down.

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'The Front Page' (2016–2017) -

Throughout his career, John Goodman has never strayed too far from the stage. In 2016, he was back on Broadway, appearing in the Tony-nominated 'The Front Page' as Sheriff Hartman.

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'Kong: Skull Island' (2017) -

A box-office success, 'Kong: Skull Island' was a reboot of the 'King Kong' franchise that, despite its familiar plot line, received generally positive reviews from critics. Goodman's character, a government official, is charged with leading the expedition to seek out the persecuted ape and other prehistoric creatures.

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'Atomic Blonde' (2017) -

The title of the action thriller 'Atomic Blonde' alludes to the movie's star, Charlize Theron, who plays a secretive MI6 field agent who answers to senior CIA operative Emmett Kurzfeld (Goodman).

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'The Righteous Gemstones' (2019–present) -

John Goodman's affinity with television was underscored when he agreed to star in the black comedy crime series 'The Righteous Gemstones,' which is currently being aired by HBO. And he can still be seen in 'The Conners,' of course.

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'Monsters at Work' (2021–present) -

And Goodman is again being heard as everybody's favorite monster in 'Monsters at Work,' alongside Billy Crystal's green, one-eyed round creature, Mike Wazowski.

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Award winner -

John Goodman has never been nominated for an Academy Award, an oversight some industry insiders feel is a great injustice. He did, however, collect a Primetime Emmy Award in 2007 for 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,' and has under his belt the aforementioned Golden Globe for 'Roseanne.' Other awards include a 2001 People's Choice Award for 'Normal, Ohio' (pictured).

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Leisure time -

And how does John Goodman relax and wind down? The actor is a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He's pictured throwing out the first pitch during a game between the Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium in 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sources: (Britannica) (Empire) (The Famous People)

See also: Memorable celebrity first baseball pitches

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