#18: Laurie Metcalf Nearly Left Due to Burnout
During the original run, Laurie Metcalf came close to leaving Roseanne more than once because of sheer exhaustion. Jackie’s storylines were often the darkest and most emotionally demanding on the show, pushing Metcalf into intense territory week after week.
Between breakdowns, addiction, abuse, and grief, Jackie rarely got a break. Metcalf has since acknowledged how draining the role could be. Her commitment paid off with multiple Emmy wins, but behind the scenes, the emotional weight of Jackie Harris took a real toll.