Lecy Goranson
Born
Alicia Linda Goranson

(1974-06-22) June 22, 1974
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materVassar College
OccupationActress
Years active1988–present

Alicia Linda "Lecy" Goranson (/ˈliːsi/; born June 22, 1974) is an American actress. She plays Becky Conner in the television sitcoms Roseanne, which debuted in 1988, and The Conners.[1] She has also had supporting roles in the films How to Make an American Quilt (1996), Boys Don't Cry (1999), and The Extra Man (2010).

Career

Roseanne

Goranson studied acting in Chicago and subsequently landed the role of Becky Conner. It was only the second time she ever auditioned for any part. She played the character for five seasons, exiting the series in 1992, several episodes into the fifth season, to attend Vassar College.[2] Her academic schedule allowed her to continue appearing part-time as Becky. Under her new arrangement, the show's producers and writers wrote scenes for Becky sparingly. Goranson's exit resulted in Becky's eloping with her boyfriend Mark.

During the following season, the producers wanted to bring back the character. Goranson was still unavailable, so Sarah Chalke auditioned and won the role.[3]

Chalke played Becky for the remainder of the sixth season and all of the seventh season. When the show reached its eighth season, Goranson was able to play Becky again while still attending college, replacing Chalke. Goranson appeared in the show's eighth season, but by mid-season she had scheduling conflicts with school again. On two occasions Goranson had to pull out of episodes in which the Becky character was necessary: Darlene's wedding and a family trip to Walt Disney World. Chalke played Becky for these episodes. Toward the season's end, Goranson returned to play Becky. When the series was renewed for a ninth season, Goranson, who was still in school, declined to continue in the role in order not to cause scheduling conflicts. Chalke returned for the ninth season, which was her last appearance in that role. Chalke did appear in season 10 as the new character Andrea who attempts to enlist Becky as a surrogate mother.

The appearances by Goranson vs. Chalke became a running gag. Goranson's first re-appearance was marked with a, "Where the hell have you been?" comment from several cast members while in character. Similarly, Chalke's sporadic appearances during Season 8 would be played for humor with an, "Aren't you glad you're here this week?" remark from Roseanne. There was even a glimpse into the future where a grown-up and somewhat catatonic DJ, played by John Goodman instead of Michael Fishman, repeatedly uttered to a psychiatrist (referring to Becky), "They say she's the same, but she isn't the same". One episode ended with both Beckys performing a parody of the opening theme of the Patty Duke Show, with similar music and lyrics to the "identical cousins song", and an appearance by William Schallert, who played the father on that show.

Post-Roseanne

Goranson as Roz Chapman on Dale Radio in 2013

After the initial run of Roseanne, Goranson had several small roles in films and has guest starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Sex and the City, Damages and Fringe. In her post-Roseanne film roles, she is normally credited as Alicia rather than Lecy Goranson. She played the part of Sandra in The Extra Man which opened in limited release on July 30, 2010.

Roseanne revival and The Conners

On April 28, 2017, it was announced that a revival of Roseanne was in the works with most of the original cast and some of the original producers slated to return.[4] In May 2017, it was confirmed that Goranson would be returning in the role of Becky. Chalke would also appear, playing a different role. The revival of Roseanne premiered on March 27, 2018, on ABC.[5][6][7] On May 29, 2018, in the wake of controversial remarks made by Roseanne Barr on Twitter regarding Valerie Jarrett (an advisor of former president Barack Obama), ABC cancelled the revival after a single season.[8][9][10]

On June 21, 2018, ABC announced a spin-off from Roseanne, entitled The Conners, with all the original cast of Roseanne to return, except for Barr herself.[11] The new show premiered on October 16, 2018.

Personal life

Goranson was born in Evanston, Illinois, to Stephen Goranson, who worked for the Environmental Protection Agency, and Linda Goranson, who taught English at Evanston Township High School.[12] She has an older brother named Adam.[12] Her mother died in January 2020.[13]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 How to Make an American Quilt Young Hy Dodd
1999 Boys Don't Cry Lisa "Candace" Lambert
2004 Death 4 Told Joyce Segment: "The Psychic"
2005 Love, Ludlow Myra
2007 The Perfect Dress Candace Short film
2010 The Extra Man Sandra
2011 Monster Slayer Sue Short film
2013 The Wood House Eleanore
2018 Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia with Hate Angela Jo

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1988–2018 Roseanne Becky Conner 120 episodes
2004 Sex and the City Amber Episode: "An American Girl in Paris, Part Deux"
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rosalin Silvo Episode: "Poison"
2009 Fringe Tattoo Girl Episode: "Inner Child"
2011 Naked in a Fishbowl Blossom Barney Episode: "Blossom Barney Crystal Healer"
2012 Damages Sally Episode: "Something's Wrong With Me"
2015 Co-operation Bonnie 2 episodes
2016 Inside Amy Schumer Amy #3 Episode: "Psychopath Test"
2018–present The Conners Becky Conner 92 episodes
Nominated–Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

References

  1. ↑ Owen, Rob (1999-03-01). Gen X TV: The Brady Bunch to Melrose Place. Syracuse University Press. pp. 45–. ISBN 9780815605850. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Raftery, Liz (2013-08-13). "Original Becky from Roseanne Never Watched the Finale". TV Guide. Retrieved 2015-08-14.
  3. ↑ http://ew.com/article/1994/05/06/sarah-chalke-becomes-rosannes-new-becky/ Entertainment Weekly, May 6, 1994; accessed November 2017
  4. ↑ "'Roseanne' revival may be in the works". USA Today. Retrieved 2017-04-28.
  5. ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 16, 2017). "'Roseanne' Revival Lands at ABC". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  6. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (May 16, 2017). "'Roseanne' Revival Officially a Go at ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 16, 2017). "'Roseanne' Revival Lands at ABC". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  8. ↑ Pallotta, Frank; Stelter, Brian (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star's Twitter comments". CNN Money. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  9. ↑ Park, Andrea (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels "Roseanne" after Barr's tweet". CBS News. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  10. ↑ Chandelis R. Duster (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels "Roseanne" after show's star compared Obama adviser to 'ape'". NBC News. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ "'Roseanne' Spinoff 'The Conners' to Air Without Roseanne Barr". Rolling Stone. 22 June 2018.
  12. 1 2 Galloway, Paul (March 3, 1991). "Success from Roseanne Hasn't Changed the Fabric of Lecy Goranson's Life". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  13. ↑ Bahr, Sarah (2020-10-20). "The Conners Return to Confront the Coronavirus". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
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