Being a child actor seems like a nightmare. I don't think any kid is mentally ready for that level of public attention. Their brains haven't even come close to fully developing, how can we realistically expect them to deal with all the pressures of fame? You also can't live the same way as other kids do, isolating them from a normal childhood. You can only truthfully enjoy the perks of success until you're older. These are things that Roseanne star Michael Fishman grappled with as a young child. Now, he's reflecting on how it's affected him as an adult.
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Recently, Fishman spoke with Remind Magazine about his time working on Roseanne at six years old. He played D.J. Conner back in the 80s and 90s and reprised his role on The Conners as an adult. In the interview, Michael reflects on how ostracizing it can be as a child actor. "You're in a very strange world where not very many people can share your experiences. And it can be difficult to have people to talk to that you know are safe," Fishman says. "So, there's this beautiful kind of synergy among us [child actors]."
Roseanne Star Michael Fishman Reflects Working as a Child Actor
The publication inevitably asks why Fishman thinks so many child actors lean into so many issues as they grow older. Ultimately, the Roseanne star emphasizes the core problem of always being in the public. You can't quite figure out who you are outside of the public's perception. "I think most people have had moments, especially in their teenage years, where they're awkward and uncomfortable, and you did something stupid," Fishman says.
"The difference is ours is usually front and center and then if you add shame to that or judgment. Then people start to spiral and become bigger and bigger. Then, if you start self-medicating, it becomes a bigger issue," the Roseanne actor adds.
