Michael Aaron Fishman (born October 22, 1981)[1] is an American actor, writer, and producer known for playing D.J. Conner on the long-running series Roseanne and its spin-off show The Conners.[2][3][4]
Fishman's acting career began after he met Roseanne Barr during an early audition. She asked him to tell her a joke. He said, "Why did the turtle cross the road? It was the chicken's day off." She was impressed,[6] and although he had no experience, Barr fought for Fishman to play D.J. Conner. He worked on Roseanne from age six to fifteen.[citation needed]
On April 28, 2017, it was announced that an eight-episode revival of Roseanne was in the works and being shopped around to various networks and that it would feature most of the original main cast. However, at the time, it was unknown if Fishman would reprise his role as D.J. Conner.[7] On May 16, 2017, it was confirmed that Fishman had signed on to appear in the revival, to air mid-season in 2018 on ABC.[8]
Fishman has also worked on many television shows and films in other roles aside from acting, including executive producing, writing, directing, set building, production staff and camera operating. Some of his credits include Great Job, Thanks!, The Real Roseanne Show, and Sport Science.
On June 21, 2018, ABC announced a spin-off from Roseanne, titled The Conners, with all the original cast (excluding Barr) to return; the show premiered on October 16, 2018.[10] On March 22, 2019, ABC announced that the show had been renewed for a second season. Fishman was not listed as part of the returning main cast, but the network press release said that additional cast would be announced at a later date.[11]
On October 5, 2020, Fishman announced he would be directing the seventh episode of the show's third season. Although it was the seventh episode to be filmed, it aired in the second week of the show, as the Halloween special.[12]
Fishman was told he would not return for season 5 of The Conners.[13][14]
Fishman and Jennifer Briner married on October 22, 1999. They were separated as of June 16, 2017, according to a formal application for legal separation Briner filed on December 27, 2018. On April 22, 2019, Briner officially filed for divorce.[16] The couple have two children, son Aaron & daughter Isabelle.[17][18]
^Barr, Roseanne (2011). Roseannearchy: Dispatches from the Nut Farm. Simon and Schuster. p. 148. ISBN978-1-4391-5482-3. Retrieved April 4, 2011. Michael Fishman has two kids and is divorcing his wife. He also has a unique and funny personality, and a lot of talent and potential that I hope he continues to bring forth.
