John Goodman Moved to Raise Daughter Far from Showbiz — At 71, He's Sober & 200 Pounds Lighter

American Actor John Goodman moved his family to protect his daughter from the prying eyes in Hollywood. He also dealt with an alcohol problem that affected his life and career. The actor turned his life around when he lost weight and got sober.

John Goodman was in Los Angeles working on a stage production of "Antony and Cleopatra" when a talent scout recruited him for a role in the sitcom "Roseanne" starring comedian Roseanne Barr.

The actor knew who Barr was but had not met her personally until the audition for the role on "Roseanne," where the two became quick friends instantly.

Goodman was picked to play Barr's father in the movie, and the comedy became an instant success. It earned the actor seven Emmy nominations between 1989 and 1995, and he won the Best Actor award at the Golden Globe Awards in 1993.

His attention-grabbing and emotive acting skills made Goodman one of the most discussed actors. He was called "America's scene-stealer" by the Wall Street Journal, and his co-star Barr said he was one the "funniest" actors.

The fame that Goodman got with the success of "Roseanne" initially excited him, but as soon as the actor became a well-known celebrity, he became frightened.

In a bid to control how he felt, Goodman turned to alcohol. As a result, the actor got complacent and ungrateful and even contemplated leaving the show after nine seasons but stayed.

How Did Goodman Move Out of the Spotlight to Raise Daughter with Wife?

In 1987, the actor met Anna Beth Hartzog at a Halloween party in Tipitina's, a famous music venue. According to him, Beth thought he was a Zombie and asked a friend to keep tabs on her after he left New Orleans. A year later, the pair started dating and then married in 1989.

They became parents to an adorable baby girl, Molly Evangeline, in August 1990. The family initially lived in California, but Goodman did not want his child to grow up there.

He moved his family to New Orleans partly because he also loved the climate and culture, but Goodman's issue with alcohol started getting worse during that time. The actor also confessed that the move was mainly because he did not want his daughter to grow up in show business.

So he and his wife found a secluded area in New Orleans that allowed his daughter to go to a great school that she also loved. Speaking about his alcoholism, Goodman candidly admitted that he allowed himself bad behavior because he was providing.

At the time he decided to move, he said his battle with alcohol was not that bad, so he justified it because he was still making money for his family. However, Goodman revealed that he never spoke to his daughter, Molly, about the effects that his alcoholism had on her. Nonetheless, she turned out great and gave the credit to her mother and grandmother.

Molly has not followed in her father's footsteps by taking up acting as a career. Instead, she is fascinated by the activities behind the scenes. As a six-year-old, she was only interested in who a director was and what went on backstage. Molly graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Film and Television production.

She currently works as a television production assistant with credits in movies like "The Last Tycoon" and "Strange Angel."

How did Goodman Eventually Become Sober with his Wife's Help?

In 2007, everything changed when the actor missed a rehearsal after he had spent the weekend drinking with his friends. Goodman explained:

"I was shaking, I was still drinking, but I was still shaking. I had the clarity of thought that I needed to be hospitalized."

Afterward, he called his wife, who arranged for the actor to check himself into a rehabilitation center.

The actor, who has been sober since 2007, also lauded his wife for standing by him, and he declared that listening and patience are also essential aspects of keeping a long marriage. The couple has been married for over two decades, and Goodman revealed that one of the secrets behind their long-lasting marriage is working away from home for an extended period.

How did Goodman Lose Weight and Become Healthy in Recent Years?

The actor also struggled with weight issues all his life. Goodman would lose 60 or 70 pounds and then revert to his old eating habits every time. By 2010, the actor had successfully lost about 100 pounds, to the surprise of many fans. Explaining the reason he decided to lose so much weight, the actor said:

"I just got tired, sick, and tired of looking at myself. You're shaving in the mirror, and you don't want to look at yourself. It gets dangerous,"

The Emmy winner had opted for a Mediterranean-style diet that emphasizes meals with fish, olive oil, vegetables, nuts, and fruit. He also employed a personal trainer, took at least ten thousand steps a day, and worked out six days a week.

The actor admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic threw him off his routine. But he planned to get back on track once he freed up his schedule. Goodman exercised by taking the dogs on walks, and he loved boxing. He never really played with an opponent; he just loved learning and hitting the mitts.