Sara Gilbert

Sara Gilbert
Gilbert in 2008
Born
Sara Rebecca Abeles

(1975-01-29) January 29, 1975 (age 49)
Alma materYale University
OccupationActress
Years active1984–present
Spouse
(m. 2014; sep. 2019)
PartnerAli Adler (2001–2011)
Children3
RelativesHarry Crane (grandfather)
Jonathan Gilbert (adoptive brother)
Melissa Gilbert (adopted sister)

Sara Gilbert (born Sara Rebecca Abeles; January 29, 1975)[1] is an American actress best known for her role as Darlene Conner on the ABC sitcom Roseanne (1988–1997; 2018), for which she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and its spin-off, The Conners (2018–present).[2] She is also creator and former co-host of the CBS daytime talk show The Talk and had a recurring role as Leslie Winkle on CBS's The Big Bang Theory.

Early life and education

Gilbert was born Sara Rebecca Abeles in Santa Monica, California,[3] the daughter of Barbara Cowan (née Crane) and Harold Abeles. Both her parents are Jewish.[4] Her maternal grandfather was The Honeymooners creator Harry Crane. Gilbert has two older half-siblings and two older adopted siblings. Her adopted siblings on her mother's side, Melissa Gilbert and Jonathan Gilbert, were stars of Little House on the Prairie. In 1984, Sara took the last name Gilbert from Paul Gilbert, her mother's first husband. Gilbert also has two siblings on her father's side, sister Patrice and brother Joseph.

Gilbert graduated from Yale University in 1997, with honors, majoring in art with an emphasis on photography.[1]

Career

Television

Following appearances in television movies and a commercial for Kool-Aid, at 13 she landed the role of Darlene Conner, the sarcastic middle child, in Roseanne. Gilbert was a cast member in the show's nine-year run (1988–97), for which she wrote a fourth-season episode story (the teleplay was written by the Guild Writers for the show) called "Don't Make Me Over." Her contribution was considered so important to Roseanne that the show's producers juggled storylines and taping schedules to allow her to study at Yale University while remaining in the cast, shooting remote segments of Darlene at a soundstage in New York.[5]

Gilbert has appeared on The Simpsons, 24, Will & Grace, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Private Practice. Starting in 2004, she had a recurring role as smart and sarcastic medical student Jane Figler on the long-running hospital drama ER; her appearances spanned seasons 11–13.

The Talk co-hosts Julie Chen, Aisha Tyler, Sharon Osbourne, Gilbert and Sheryl Underwood in 2012.

Gilbert regained a regular spot on prime time television in the fall of 2005 in the sitcom Twins on The WB network. The show was canceled after one season, when the WB and UPN networks merged as The CW and dropped a number of series. She also had a recurring role on the short-lived CBS sitcom The Class as Fern Velch.

From 2007 to 2010, Gilbert appeared in episodes of the CBS TV series The Big Bang Theory as Leslie Winkle, a scientist friend of Leonard Hofstadter played by Johnny Galecki, who had previously played Gilbert's love interest David Healy on Roseanne. In the second episode of the second season of The Big Bang Theory, Gilbert was elevated to the show's main cast, portraying again a potential love interest of Galecki's character, and at one point a love interest to Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg). By January 2009, it was announced that the writers did not know how to write for her character full-time, and her status was reduced from regular to recurring.[6] Winkle was discontinued after Amy Farrah Fowler and Bernadette Rostenkowski became prominent characters.

Gilbert was a co-host and executive producer of The Talk, a talk show that premiered October 18, 2010. Gilbert won a Daytime Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show as producer and creator of the show. Her final appearance as co-host was August 2, 2019.

An eight-episode revival series of Roseanne was developed,[7] with Gilbert as an executive producer.[8][9] The eight episodes, picked up by ABC, began airing March 27, 2018. Due to the revival's strong ratings and positive critical reception, a second season was announced. However, on May 29, 2018, in the wake of controversial remarks made by Barr on Twitter regarding Valerie Jarrett (an advisor to former president Barack Obama), ABC cancelled the revival after a single season.[10][11][12] Gilbert distanced herself and the show from Barr's tweets.[13]

On June 21, 2018, ABC announced that the network had ordered ten episodes of a spin-off of Roseanne. That series, The Conners, featuring all of the regular cast except Barr, premiered in October 2018, with Gilbert starring and serving as an executive producer.[14] In 2019, Sara, along with Tom Werner launched Sara+Tom, by combining two companies, her Gilbert TV arm, and Werner Entertainment, both of which worked after the success of The Conners.[15]

Sara Gilbert is one of the executive producers of the show titled 'The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh'. The eight-episode half-hour series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios.

Film

Gilbert appeared in two films alongside Drew Barrymore, in Poison Ivy in 1992 and Riding in Cars with Boys in 2001. Gilbert also had a feature role in Light It Up in 1999. She has had several minor roles following Roseanne, including the short film $30 (aka 30 Bucks) as part of the Boys Life 3 feature, and High Fidelity. She directed her short film Persona Non Grata in 1998. In 2000, Gilbert appeared in a production of The Hot L Baltimore as part of the Williamstown (Mass.) theater festival.[16]

Personal life

Gilbert with her then-wife Linda Perry at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's An Evening with Women event in 2014

As a teenager, Gilbert dated her Roseanne (and later The Big Bang Theory) co-star Johnny Galecki (their characters also dated). During their relationship she realized she was a lesbian. She remains close friends with Galecki.[17]

In 2001, Gilbert began a relationship with television producer Ali Adler. They have two children—a son, Levi Hank, born to Adler in October 2004,[18] and a daughter, Sawyer Jane, born to Gilbert in August 2007.[19][20] For many years, Gilbert remained private about her sexuality, choosing not to publicly discuss her personal life. In July 2010, as she prepared to launch her talk show, The Talk, Gilbert confirmed that she was a lesbian.[21] In August 2011, Gilbert announced that she and Adler had separated amicably.[22]

Following the breakup, Gilbert began a relationship with songwriter, music producer and former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry.[23] Gilbert announced their engagement in April 2013,[24] and the pair married on March 30, 2014.[25] Gilbert gave birth to their son, Rhodes Emilio Gilbert Perry, on February 28, 2015.[26][27][28] On December 27, 2019, Gilbert filed for legal separation from Perry.[29]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Poison Ivy Sylvie Cooper Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress
1994 Dead Beat Martha Film is based on the killings of Charles Schmid.
1997 Walkin' on Sunshine: The Movie Neural Nurse 256
1998 $30 Emily / Michelle Short film
1999 Desert Blue Sandy
Light It Up Lynn Sabatini
2000 The Big Tease Gretle Dickens
High Fidelity Anaugh Moss
Boys Life 3 Emily/Michelle Short film; Segment: "$30"
2001 Riding in Cars with Boys Tina Barr
2004 Laws of Attraction Gary Gadget's Assistant Cameo
2023 80 for Brady Sara

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Calamity Jane Jean TV movie
1988 ABC Weekend Special Stephie Episode: "Runaway Ralph"
1988–1997;
2018[30]
Roseanne Darlene Conner-Healy 190 episodes
Executive producer
2x Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series
TV Land Award for Innovator Award
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1993–1994)[31]
Nominated — TV Land Award for Character Most Desperately in Need of a Timeout
Nominated — Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Television Series
1989 A&E's An Evening at the Improv Herself Season 4, Episode 6
1990 Sudie and Simpson Sudie Harrigan TV movie

Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Cable Special

1992; 1994 The Simpsons Laura Powers (voice) Episodes: "New Kid on the Block" and "Another Simpsons Clip Show" (archival recordings)
1994 Saturday Night Live Herself – Host Episode: "Sara Gilbert/Counting Crows"
1996 ABC Afterschool Special Jessie Episode: "Me and My Hormones"
1997 Broken Record TV movie
2000–2001 Welcome to New York Amy Manning 13 episodes
2002 Rugrats Cindy (voice) Episode: "Cynthia Comes Alive/Trading Phil"
24 Paula Schaeffer 5 episodes, Season 2
2003 Will & Grace Cheryl Episode: "Fanilow"
2004 Strong Medicine Charlayne Episode: "Cinderella in Scrubs"
2004–2007 ER Dr. Jane Figler 15 episodes
2005 In the Game Unsold TV pilot
The Clinic Mrs. Jennings Episode: 3.1
2005–2006 Twins Mitchee Arnold Lead role
2006 Girls on the Bus Helen Episode: "Pilot"
2006–2007 The Class Fern Velch 6 episodes
2007 Private Practice Kelly Episode: "In Which Sam Gets Taken For a Ride"
  • 2007–2010;
  • 2016
The Big Bang Theory Leslie Winkle Recurring role (season 1)
Main role (season 2)
Guest role (seasons 3, 9)
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Caitlyn Ryan Episode: "Trials"
2010 HawthoRNe Malia Price 3 episodes
Grey's Anatomy Kim Episode: "Suicide is Painless"
2010–2019 The Talk Herself Also creator and executive producer
2014 Bad Teacher Irene Dudek Main role
2016 Supergirl Herself Episode: "Falling"
2018 Jane the Virgin Herself Episode: "Chapter Seventy-Four"
Living Biblically Cheryl Main role
2018–present The Conners Darlene Conner-Healy Main role; 106 episodes
2019 Weird City Jathryn Episode: "Smart House"
Atypical Professor Judd Recurring role (season 3)
2020 Equal J.M. From Cleveland Docuseries

References

  1. ^ a b "Sara Gilbert". Biography.com. A&E Networks. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  2. ^ "Sara Gilbert". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Sara Gilbert". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  4. ^ Bloom, Nate (October 26, 2010). "Interfaith Celebrities: The Talk's Hosts and David Schwimmers Bride". Interfaith Family. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  5. ^ "Sara Gilbert Biography". Fancast. January 29, 1975. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  6. ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 23, 2009). "'Big Bang Theory' scoop: Sara Gilbert taken off contract". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  7. ^ "Roseanne TV show revival in the works with main cast set to reprise roles". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  8. ^ "'Roseanne' revival may be in the works". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  9. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 28, 2017). "Roseanne Revival Eyed at ABC". TVLine. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  10. ^ Pallotta, Frank; Stelter, Brian (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after star's Twitter comments". CNN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. ^ Park, Andrea (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels 'Roseanne' after Barr's tweet". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  12. ^ Duster, Chandelis R. (May 29, 2018). "ABC cancels "Roseanne" after show's star compared Obama adviser to 'ape'". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  13. ^ Gilbert, Sara [@THEsaragilbert] (May 29, 2018). "Roseanne's recent comments..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 29, 2018 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (June 21, 2018). "ABC's 'Roseanne' Spinoff Officially a Go – Without Roseanne Barr". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Low, Elaine (May 21, 2019). "Sara Gilbert, Tom Werner Launch Production Company Sara + Tom". Variety. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "Hot L Baltimore, The". Williamstown Theatre Festival. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  17. ^ Takeda, Alison (September 13, 2013). "Sara Gilbert: I Realized I Was Gay While Dating Johnny Galecki". Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  18. ^ "Levi Hank Gilbert-Adler". MyHeritage.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  19. ^ "Sara Gilbert and partner welcome second child". People. August 6, 2007. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  20. ^ "Sara Gilbert Gives Birth to Baby Girl". Fox News. August 13, 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  21. ^ "'Roseanne's' Sara Gilbert confirms she's a lesbian". CNN. July 30, 2010. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  22. ^ Jordan, Julie. "The Talk's Sara Gilbert, Partner Break Up" Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. People. August 24, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  23. ^ Grossberg, Josh "Sara Gilbert Talks Relationship With Linda Perry on The Talk" Archived April 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. E Online. November 30, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  24. ^ Rice, Lynette (April 8, 2013). "Sara Gilbert announces engagement on 'The Talk'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  25. ^ Lee, Esther (March 31, 2014). "Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry Are Married". US Weekly. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  26. ^ "Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry Welcome Son Rhodes Emilio". People. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  27. ^ Oldenburg, Ann. "Sara Gilbert, Linda Perry welcome baby boy". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  28. ^ D'Zurilla, Christie (March 2, 2015). "Sara Gilbert, Linda Perry are parents of a new baby boy". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 16, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  29. ^ Contreras, Cyndey (December 27, 2019). "Sara Gilbert Separates from Wife Linda Perry After 5 Years of Marriage". E! Online. United States: NBCUniversal. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  30. ^ "ABC Cancels 'Roseanne' Following Star's Racist Tweet". TVWeek.com. May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  31. ^ "SARA GILBERT". Television Academy. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
Media offices
First The Talk co-host
2010–2019
Succeeded by