‘Roseanne’ and ‘The Conners’ Star Michael Fishman Talks Life After Child Stardom (Exclusive)

Mike Pingel March 17, 9:46 am

Michael Fishman and Jeremy Miller Hollywood Show 2025 — Mike Pingel

At the recent Hollywood Show, Michael Fishman, who portrayed DJ Conner in the television show Roseanne and The Conners, chatted with Mike Pingel from ReMIND Magazine about the pitfalls of being a child star (as friend and fellow former child actor Jeremy Miller walked up during our conversation), taking on the role of a TV kidnapper, and his plans for the future.

Jeremy Miller from Growing Pains just came to your table to say ‘Hi”. Do you know all the children’s actors?

Fishman: Yeah. I mean, we kind of all ran in the same circles, and we did press together, and you do all these events, and you see each other at award shows, or you just run into each other.

You’re in a very strange world where not very many people can share your experiences. And it can be difficult to have people to talk to that you know are safe. So, there’s this beautiful kind of synergy among us. Again, I cultivate this ability to be a safe space with people and acknowledge what’s going on and where they are in their world. Because I think that’s part of what we’re supposed to do.

ROSEANNE, Laurie Metcalf, Lecy Goranson, Sara Gilbert, Roseanne, Michael Fishman, John Goodman, yr. 1, 1988-97

Carsey-Werner Company/Everett Collection

Lots of child actors go off the rails, you know. And both of you seem to have done well, and I think a lot of it comes down to family.

Fishman: This is what I would say: I think people have difficulties. I think for child stars, the problem is that everything you do is public. It grows and it can be kind of magnified.

I think most people have had moments, especially in their teenage years, where they’re awkward and uncomfortable, and you did something stupid. The difference is ours is usually front and center and then if you add shame to that or judgment. Then people start to spiral and become bigger and bigger. Then, if you start self-medicating, it becomes a bigger issue. That’s not unique to us, but unfortunately that has become somewhat synonymous. There are a lot of good people doing a lot of great things in the world that started this way.

But I also think it’s your TV Family unit.

Fishman: Agree. Jeremy and I have known each other literally our whole lives. Like, that’s the funny part, you reconnect so quickly, and it’s beautiful.

So, what have you been up to?

Fishman: I’m doing a little bit of everything. About a year ago, I did a Lifetime movie [Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story] that was so different than everything I’ve ever done because I was the bad guy. It was about grooming and all these deep topics. It came out during the strike, so we couldn’t do some of the press.

Do you have any reservations about taking on the role of a child kidnapper?

Fishman: I was like: One: do I want to do this job? Two: Am I willing? Three: That’s a really big departure from whom I’ve always been.

ABDUCTED BY MY TEACHER: THE ELIZABETH THOMAS STORY, from left: Michael Fishman, Summer H. Howell, 2023.

Holly Dunphy/Lifetime /Courtesy Everett Collection

What is your favorite show that you watch?

Fishman: Right now, I really love what they’re doing on Will Trent. I think Will Trent has some great writing. I’m a huge fan of what Ted Lasso was, and I know they’re going to end up doing some more and that’s very exciting. Shrinking is an incredibly powerful show.

There are some dramas, but really, for me, I love things that touch on comedy and drama. Obviously growing up on Roseanne, that was kind of our wheelhouse. And I think it’s still kind of where I write from and walking that line because I think we’re all doing that. We are navigating the difficulties of life and trying to find the humor in it.

AppleTV+

What’s in your future?

Fishman: I’m looking for the right projects as an actor and every actor has gone through this. You’re limited a little bit by your type and the opportunities of what’s around you. The flip side of that, as a writer and a director, there is no limitation. The only limitation is my creativity or finding the right opportunity. So, I have a bunch of shows I’m pitching. I have a couple of comedies, a couple of dramas and a couple of films on the writing side and then across a bunch of genres.

Then, as a director, I’m looking for the right feature because your first feature has to be connected to your tone, and I think I want to be something that is very personal for me. I don’t want it to be a job. I want it to be a passion project because I think if you’re going to step into that role, it has to be that.

On the television side, I’m looking for more episodes and more opportunities anywhere that I’m a little more wide open. So, pretty much any show that wants somebody, I’m a good choice.