Hot! Roseanne Barr

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One of the most outspoken and successful comediennes of the 1990s, Roseanne Barr gave voice to the joys and frustrations of women's lives in middle America, first, through her stand-up career, and later, as the star and producer of her own popular sitcom, "Roseanne" (ABC, 1988-1997). The show was among the most honest portrayals of domestic life on television, but its Top 20 ratings and numerous awards were occasionally outshined by the tabloid coverage of its star, who garnered controversy for her multiple marriages - most famously, to the obnoxious comic, Tom Arnold - and occasionally ruthless backstage manner on her show - to say nothing of her infamous mangling of the "Star Spangled Banner" to the boos of sports fans and patriots everywhere. However outlandish Roseanne would become - there was no denying she struck a crowd with middle class viewers who, for a time, made Roseanne the most powerful woman on television.

Born Roseanne Cherrie Barr in Salt Lake City, UT on November 3, 1952 to a bookkeeper mother and a salesman father, she found her calling in performance at an early age, often entertaining her family when they gathered for the Sabbath on Friday evenings. Reportedly, Barr's parents kept their Jewish identity hidden, and maintained an interest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to blend in with their neighbors. Barr was active in school plays, but sought bigger audiences outside of Utah. By the age of 17, she had dropped out of school and relocated to an artists' colony in Colorado - she was also reportedly involved a car accident at this time, which resulted in post-traumatic stress and required a stint in a local institution. While there, she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter, Brandi Brown, whom she gave up for adoption (the pair reunited in 1989 and remained close thereafter). Three years later, she married Bill Pentland, with whom she had three children (two daughters and a son). While working part-time as a waitress and window dresser, she was encouraged by customers to take her quick wit to comedy clubs. Gathering up the nerve, she stepped in front of the mike for the first time. By the early 1980s, she had risen to the top of the Denver comedy scene.

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