They’re not just co-stars—they’re family. In a heartfelt interview, Michael Fishman, who plays DJ Conner on the beloved ABC show Roseanne, revealed the cast has a special tradition to honor the memory of late actor Glenn Quinn. Before filming each episode of the show's reboot, the cast pays tribute to their departed friend in a deeply personal way.
Glenn Quinn, who portrayed Becky Conner’s husband, Mark Healy, on the original series from 1990 to 1997, tragically passed away in December 2002 at the age of 32. His absence is still felt by the cast, and they've found a way to keep his spirit alive on set. “Glenn is missed by us daily,” Michael wrote on Facebook on April 11, 2018. “He remains part of the show and close to our hearts. Before each taping, we do cast introductions for the audience. We come out of Roseanne and Dan’s master bedroom, through the kitchen, and meet the crowd. It’s an exhilarating connection with fans. In that hallway, I brought in Glenn’s picture. We each pass it before every episode we film. We remember Glenn every day. He will always be with us, part of us, part of the Roseanne show and family.”
A Moment of Reflection Before the Cameras Roll
Glenn as Mark on the show.
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Why Recasting Was Never an Option
Glenn’s character, Mark Healy, was more than just a role for the cast—he was a cherished member of the Roseanne family. When the show was revived in 2018, the cast and crew made it clear that recasting Mark was out of the question. “I have said many times Glenn was an amazing person,” Michael explained. “He lit up every room he entered and every set he walked on. As a show, we never considered replacing his character. Recasting, as some in the media suggested, was never even an option. Glenn is irreplaceable.”
Knowing today was coming didn’t make it easier. Love him, miss him, and had to visit him. As long as @roseanneonabc is on, Glenn Quinn is a substantial part of the show. As long as I work, he will be honored. We never forget.
Mark’s Legacy Lives On
In the revival’s premiere episode, it was revealed that Glenn’s character, Mark, had passed away before the events of the new storyline unfolded. The fourth episode of the tenth season was dedicated to Glenn, but actress Lecy Goranson revealed that the entire reboot is a tribute to her late co-star’s memory. “It was very powerful and the show is dedicated to his memory and his life,” Lecy told Access Hollywood on April 11, 2018.
“It was very interesting because while we were shooting the show, there were many times where we felt his presence with us. Even some of the new crew members, who weren’t with us back in the day, kind of had an intuition. They kind of felt a presence. He was just such a wonderful, wonderful, generous person and lovely. I mean, also you know, just easy on the eyes. It felt good for us to celebrate his memory and also acknowledge his loss,” she continued.
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Mark’s Name Lives On in the Next Generation
To further honor Glenn’s character, the writers named Darlene Conner’s 10-year-old son after Mark. “We all missed Glenn so much because he was just a great part of the show, and it’s not something we wanted to just gloss over,” star Roseanne Barr has said. This decision not only keeps Glenn’s memory alive but also ensures that his impact on the show continues to resonate with fans.
