Michael Fishman Was a Doting Father to 4 Children before Losing His Beloved Son in 2020

"Roseanne" star Michael Fishman's late son Larry "chose" him after adopting Larry's older sister, actress Camille Spirlin. Fisherman also has two biological children with his ex-wife.

Actor Michael Fishman, known for his character D.J. Conner on "Roseanne" and "The Conners," is a doting father to four children, Isabella, Aaron, Camille, and Larry, who passed away in 2020.

Aaron and Isabella are the actor's biological children. He shares them with his ex-wife, Jennifer Briner. The couple married in 1999, and after 20 years together, Briner filed for legal separation.

Fishman shared they chose a legal separation over a regular divorce so his health insurance would cover Briner. It also allowed their twenty-year relationship to end slowly and not drastically disrupt his children's lives.

Fishman expressed the former couple remained close friends after the split, and their marriage ended with kindness and respect. The parents continue to make their two children their priority and the basis of their decision-making.

As Fishman's marriage ended, he expanded his family by adopting his two children, Camille Spirlin and Larry. He met Camille through a friend who said Camille needed "support and guidance and mentorship."

According to her IMDb page, Camille is an actress and director known for her work on "Grey's Anatomy," in which she played a Young Maggie Pierce in season fourteen, "Marvin Marvin," and "Culture Shot."

Camille integrated into the Fishman household, and they became a family unit. Eventually, the "Grey's Anatomy" actress asked Fishman to be her father as she had never had a father figure in her life.

Larry joined the family later as Fishman revealed Larry "chose" him. He had been in the process of adopting Larry before he aged out of the foster care system when the young man passed away from a drug overdose in June 2020.

Fishman kept details of Larry's death private for a while but opened up on "The Tamron Hall Show" about Larry's passing and encouraged parents to speak to their children because he regretted not spending more time with his son.

The doting father explained that his son did not have a problem with drug use, but while living as a "house in transition," he tried drugs that caused a severe reaction.

The "Roseanne" alum admitted he felt he entered Larry's life too late. Fishman wished he had more time with Larry before they met and before his passing.

The interview marked Fishman's first opening up about his son's passing. He hoped the conversation could help other parents be brave enough to admit they struggle and seek help when they are not strong enough.

Although the interview was a rare moment of Fishman discussing his children, the actor regularly shares photos of them online. For example, he paid tribute to them for National Siblings Day.

Alongside a snap of the four siblings together, Fishman penned that he always strives to be a great father, but his proudest achievement was bringing his beautiful children together and making them siblings.