X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

John Goodman Biography

Birth Name:John Stephen Goodman

Birth Place:St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Received the 1990 American Comedy Award for his role in "Roseanne․"
  • As a resident of New Orleans, he has appeared in several commercials advocating for recovery following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
  • Earned a football scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University, where he graduated with a degree in fine arts in 1975, and received an honorary doctorate degree in 2013
  • Got his start in acting by appearing in a McDonald's commercial alongside actress Megan Mullally
  • Quote: "I know what it's like to not get a job, so I'm grateful they still let me work․ You take the jobs you can, because you can't take anything for granted․"
  • Quote: "[on not getting call backs] "There's no real rhyme or reason to it․ Things will be going great, then, all of a sudden, the phone stops ringing․""
  • Frequently collaborates with the Coen Brothers on film projects
  • Often portrays characters who are leaders or authority figures
  • Studied acting alongside Kathleen Turner and Tess Harper in college
  • Was in contention for the role of Paul Hennessy on "8 Simple Rules․"

Awards

  • 1989American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1989Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1990CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1990Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1991Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1991American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1991ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1991NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1992American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1992CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1992DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1992Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: winner
  • 1993American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1993Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1993TV Guide Award-Actor of the Year in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1993Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1994American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1994Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1995American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1995CableACE-Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1995CableACE-Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1995Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1996Golden FIPA-Fiction: Actor: winner
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1998ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2001People's Choice Award-Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series: winner
  • 2002World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written for a Film: winner
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2007TV Land Award-Favorite Elvis Impersonation: nominated
  • 2008Innovator Award-: winner
  • 2010OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2010OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2011Fright Meter Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011SLFCA Award-Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment): nominated
  • 2012Felix-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2012ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2012CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2012Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2012Spotlight Award-: winner
  • 2012PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2012SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2012SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2013COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2013Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
  • 2013VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2014GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2015Odyssey Award-Best Support Actor: winner
  • 2015Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2016BloodGuts UK Horror Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2016Fright Meter Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2016IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016ICP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Halfway Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016PCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2017Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2017COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2017DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2017GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017SFCS Award-Best Villain: winner
  • 2017SFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017iHorror Award-Best Actor - Horror Film: winner
  • 2019IGN Award-Best TV Ensemble: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2025Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated