The seasoned actress directly addressed her former co-star regarding comments made about her on national television. She disclosed the details of their exchange and the response she received.
Roseanne Barr once opened up about the emotional toll of her abrupt exit from television, revealing the depths of her despair and the personal betrayal she believes contributed to her downfall. She shared how the fallout from her career setback pushed her to a breaking point, describing it as one of the darkest periods of her life.
Roseanne Barr in the original run of “Roseanne” in 1992 | Source: Getty Images
She also accused former co-star Sara Gilbert of playing a pivotal role in the controversy that led to her downfall, reigniting tensions between the two. Barr’s candid remarks offer a glimpse into the lingering impact of the scandal and her struggle to move forward.
Roseanne Barr participates in “Is America a Forgiving Nation?,” a Yom Kippur eve talk on forgiveness on September 17, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Roseanne Barr on the Fallout of Her Firing
In 2018, she faced backlash for a tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former aide to Michelle Obama, in which she called her the offspring of the “Muslim Brotherhood & Planet of the Apes.” The controversy abruptly ended her television career, and the ordeal took a toll on Barr.
Even though she apologized and deleted her Twitter account, ABC acted quickly, terminating her and pulling the plug on Barr’s highly successful revival, which had just wrapped its first season as the most-watched scripted primetime series.
Roseanne Barr visits FOX News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” on February 14, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the controversy, ABC moved forward with a rebranded version of the show. “The Conners” replaced “Roseanne,” with Barr’s character written off, and it has remained a key part of the network’s primetime lineup.
Since then, the actress has largely stayed out of the spotlight, aside from a 2019 tour with Andrew Dice Clay. She has also distanced herself from social media, stating in a 2023 interview, “I’m not on Twitter. That’s been a great thing for me, to be off that.”
Feeling Betrayed by Hollywood
Stepping away from the public eye allowed Barr time to process the fallout, though the experience left a lasting impact. “I’ve survived. I’ve come out on the other side of it, finally,” she said, calling the ordeal a “witch-burning” that she found terrifying.
While reflecting, the TV star described it as a deeply painful period, “I would die many times. I guess you would call it the dark night of the soul. I felt like the devil himself was coming against me to try to tear me apart, to punish me for believing in God.”
Roseanne Barr at the “Roseanne” press conference on March 23, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Barr asserted that she was never given the chance to make amends, stating that she felt deeply disliked. She believed the animosity stemmed from her talent and willingness to express her opinions. Despite “Roseanne” being the network’s top show, she claimed they preferred to cancel it rather than continue its success.
The Utah native recalled being caught off guard by how events unfolded, particularly the response from network executives. During the initial call, she insisted she had believed Jarrett was white and offered to explain the misunderstanding on her show, but claimed they refused, dismissing her apology as insincere.
Roseanne Barr spotted on January 8, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Comparing her situation to other controversies in Hollywood, she pointed out that while figures like Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K. faced backlash, they were not completely shut out.
“I’m the only person who’s lost everything, whose life’s work was stolen, stolen by people who I thought loved me,” she said. The silence from the industry was particularly painful, though she expressed gratitude for comedian Mo’Nique, whom she called a “brave, close, dear friend” for publicly standing by her.
Roseanne Barr visits the Western Wall on January 27 2019, in Jerusalem, Israel. | Source: Getty Images
Barr’s disappointment was deepened by the lack of support from those she had worked with. She struggled to understand their actions, especially after the effort she put into reviving the show.
Roseanne Barr attends the premiere of “Roseanne,” 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Sara Gilbert’s Role in the Controversy
Before ABC announced the show’s cancellation, co-star Sara Gilbert condemned Barr’s remarks, calling them “abhorrent” and insisting they did not reflect the views of the cast or crew.
Barr later blamed the actress, who started on the show when she was 13, stating, “She destroyed the show and my life with that tweet. She will never get enough until she consumes my liver with a fine Chianti.”
Sara Gilbert attends Sean Penn, Bryan Lourd and Vivi Nevo Host 10th Anniversary Gala on January 15, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The veteran star’s frustration over Gilbert’s public remarks only grew as the fallout continued. She believed that not only had her former co-star betrayed her, but she had also repeatedly spoken about the controversy on her now-canceled talk show, “The Talk,” expressing shock over Barr’s comments.
Feeling pushed to her limit, Barr eventually confronted one of the show’s co-hosts directly, warning, “You better shut your blanking mouth about me, I’m telling you. You better shut your […] mouth.” According to Barr, the criticism stopped after that.
Despite the turmoil, she eventually came to terms with what happened. Although the decision to erase her character from the show was painful, she chose to forgive, believing that being removed from the situation was a form of protection.
Finding Peace and Letting Go
Finding closure allowed Barr to focus on new projects. In January 2025, she revealed plans for a TV comeback, co-writing a comedy series with “Roseanne” and “Arli$$” alum Allan Stephan.
Set in a small Alabama town, the show blends elements of “The Roseanne Show” and “The Sopranos.” Barr stars as a farmer battling drug gangs and foreign influence while growing and selling cannabis and magic mushrooms.
Barr described the upcoming series as bold and unconventional, embracing humor that pushes boundaries. She shared that it will feature “very offensive ideas and a lot of swearing,” blending dark comedy with social commentary.
Inspired by her life as a farmer in Hawaii, the show follows characters who “save America with guns, the Bible, petty crime and alcoholism.” She compared its tone to the style of the Coen brothers, suggesting a mix of satire and gritty realism.
Life on Her Hawaiian Farm
Barr’s life on her Hawaiian farm serves as an inspiration for her work and a retreat from the public eye. She shares a 47-acre farm with her longtime partner, and at times, her extended family joins them.
She has posted snapshots of the estate on Instagram, sparking a range of reactions. While some appreciate the glimpse into her rural lifestyle, others have expressed differing opinions.
Barr also listed one of her two El Segundo homes in Los Angeles worth $3.5 million. It was a property she bought in 2003 for $1.17 million. This move followed her decision to live full-time on her 47-acre macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, which she purchased in 2007 for $1.78 million.
She often shares glimpses of her experiences in Hawaii on Instagram, showing her enjoying simple pleasures like cutting grass, celebrating birthdays, and appreciating rainbows.
Fans have praised her for maintaining a normal, relatable lifestyle. One commented, “I love that your house is normal. It’s not a kitchen island the size of my living room with oversized chandeliers. You’re raw. I love it!”
However, other people don’t share the same sentiment. Someone asked, “Are you ok?” Another user commented, “I feel like you would have a nicer house than that.” Let’s check out this property and the interior that has her followers leaving so many mixed comments!
A Glimpse Into Barr’s Serene Hawaiian Retreat
Barr’s house in Hawaii is cozy and unpretentious. The exterior features lush greenery and a welcoming atmosphere, reflecting her down-to-earth lifestyle. The comedian captioned this photo with, “My birthday rainbow over my house on my birthday [sic]!”
Embracing Life’s Simple Joys
She enjoys simple pleasures like eating in bed. This Instagram post shows a serene morning setup, with a tray of food and a slight view of her pink-painted room. The caption reads, “You’ve heard of breakfast in bed….. check this out- BURGERS IN BED!!!! 🍔 #2022 [sic].”
Cherishing Family Moments in Nature
In her garden, Barr picks fruit with her grandchild. The yard is a lush, green space filled with trees and other plants, which shows her love for nature. The comedian wrote, “Pickin oranges [sic].”
Hard Work and a Down-to-Earth Lifestyle
Barr has also shared that working outside has helped her lose weight. This photo shows her happily displaying her toned figure in her kitchen and living space. She added, “Losing weight thru relentless gardening [sic].”
Looking at the background, it’s even more clear that the comedian lives almost like every other person. Her kitchen mixes into a bedroom. There’s clutter, shoes on the floor, a mirror on the wall, and a general messiness that feels like home.
Finding Joy in Nature and Comfort at Home
A photo outside her house shows Roseanne enjoying the natural beauty of her surroundings while posing in a floral dress. The background includes a small view of her outer property and the many plants around the walkway. She wrote, “Feeling good, looking better 🌹 [sic].”
There’s an antique-looking fountain behind her right in front of a stone wall, which seems to blend into the more modern wooden panels. There’s also an outdoor dining area right next to a sliding door, which makes things even more cozy.
A Simple Purchase Sparks Nostalgic Conversations
In this photo, Barr talked about a dress she bought online and wrote, “eBay 50 bucks [sic].” However, her followers focused more on her interior decoration.
One added, “I love your rug!!🌼 my great grandma used to make vintage fabric aprons for us to wear in the kitchen with her. I’d love to make you one!! 🥰 [sic].” Another was curious about an object on her wall, asking, “Is that circle in your wall your magic mirror?”
A Home That Feels Truly Lived In
Barr shared this video of her partner, Johnny Argent, in the same room and added, “No one likes Johnny bc he hates Taylor Swift! [sic].” The green room is just as messy and homey as other areas of her house. It’s nothing like the homes of other celebrities, which have an empty and pristine atmosphere. Some places even look like art galleries.
The comedian seems to hate the idea of a space that can’t be touched or lived in. There are canvases on the floor, and instruments for her musical husband. It’s also clear that they were their own interior decorators.
A Bedroom That Reflects Her Unfiltered Lifestyle
In this picture of her bedroom, Barr’s followers noticed more of the disarray and quickly commented. Their reactions ranged from supportive to critical, with messages like, “Her business, her life [sic],” and “Dirty!” Someone else wrote, “Fire your housekeeper!”
The comedian has several pieces of jewelry hanging from her wall. Her bedside table is overflowing with cups and books. Meanwhile, her bed is obviously used for much more than sleeping. Her laptop, magazines, and more knickknacks cover the entire space.
Sharing Her Home with Her Partner and Big Family
While not everyone likes her decoration and personal style, Barr is living beautifully in an estate surrounded by her family, which seems to get bigger as time passes.
The comedian has been married three times and has five children. She had her first child, Brandi, in 1970 when she was 17. The baby was placed for adoption, but the mother and daughter eventually reunited.
Barr married Bill Pentland in 1974 and had three children: Jessica, Jennifer, and Jake. Sadly, they divorced in 1990.
She married Tom Arnold that same year, but they separated in 1994. In 1995, the comedian married Ben Thomas, her former security guard, and they had a son named Buck. However, that relationship didn’t last either, and they divorced in 2002.
In 2002, she met Johnny Argent online through a writing competition on her blog. He’s a writer, composer, and producer known for “Comedy Central Roasts.” They began dating in 2003 and have been together ever since.
Barr has described Argent as a kindred spirit and someone who shares her eccentricities. She fell in love with his voice during their year of phone conversations before meeting in person. When they finally met, she was struck by his handsome appearance, contrary to her expectations.
Roseanne Barr and Johnny Argent are seen in Hollywood on June 24, 2014 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
They live a fairly pleasant life, enjoying the next generation just like other gushing grandparents. Barr’s daughter, Jessica, has five sons. But the comedian has never fully disclosed their names.
In 2016, Barr said she was a “grandmother of six.” However, in 2021, she posted a photo welcoming Jake’s daughter and shared her joy on Instagram, writing, “New family my son and new daughter and their gorgeous babe [sic].” That would make her a grandmother of seven!
Roseanne Barr has found peace and happiness in Hawaii despite the ups and downs in her career and personal life. Being on the farm, surrounded by loved ones and the beauty of nature, feels much steadier and simpler than her previous life in California. She may never return to Hollywood full-time, and that’s a perfectly reasonable choice.
