Laurie Metcalf, the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress known for her sharp wit and unflinching honesty, has opened up about some of the most turbulent chapters of her career in a revealing new profile. The piece delves into her complicated relationships with powerful figures in Hollywood and theater, including producer Scott Rudin, *Roseanne* co-star Roseanne Barr, and her former theater company Steppenwolf, where she was a founding member. Metcalf’s candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the personal and professional fallout that has shaped her decades-long career.
Metcalf, 68, rose to prominence in the 1980s as part of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where her collaborations with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich helped redefine American stage acting. But her time at Steppenwolf was not without conflict. In the profile, she describes a painful falling out with the company, which she says left her feeling sidelined and ultimately pushed her to leave. “It was a place I loved, but it became clear that I was no longer welcome,” Metcalf is quoted as saying. The rift, she suggests, was tied to creative differences and shifting dynamics within the ensemble, though she stops short of detailing specific incidents.
The actress likewise addresses her fraught relationship with Scott Rudin, the once-powerful Broadway and film producer whose career imploded in 2021 amid allegations of abusive behavior toward staff and collaborators. Metcalf worked with Rudin on the 2017 revival of *A Doll’s House, Part 2*, for which she earned a Tony Award. While she acknowledges his talent, she describes the experience as “exhausting” and “emotionally draining,” echoing broader industry accounts of Rudin’s volatile temper. “There were moments when I thought, *This is not worth it*,” she says. “But the work was good, and I believed in it.”
Perhaps the most explosive revelations center on her time on *Roseanne*, the hit sitcom that catapulted her to household-name status in the 1990s. Metcalf won three Emmys for her role as Jackie Harris, the sharp-tongued sister of Roseanne Barr’s titular character. But the show’s legacy was overshadowed by Barr’s racist tweet in 2018, which led to the cancellation of the revival series *The Conners*. Metcalf, who returned for the revival, says she was blindsided by Barr’s comments and the fallout that followed. “I had no idea she was capable of something like that,” she says. “It was devastating, not just for the show, but for all of us who had worked so hard to bring it back.”
The Steppenwolf Rift: A Founding Member’s Exit
Metcalf’s departure from Steppenwolf in the early 2000s marked the end of an era for the theater company, which she helped establish in 1974. The profile suggests that her exit was not entirely voluntary, though details remain murky. Metcalf hints at a growing disconnect with the company’s direction, particularly as it expanded its commercial ambitions. “Steppenwolf was always about the ensemble, about collaboration,” she says. “But somewhere along the way, that changed.”
Former colleagues, speaking anonymously, describe a period of tension during which Metcalf’s input was increasingly marginalized. One source close to the company says, “There was a sense that Laurie was being phased out, that her vision for the theater didn’t align with where the leadership wanted to go.” Steppenwolf has not publicly addressed the specifics of Metcalf’s departure, but the company’s artistic director, Anna D. Shapiro, has previously praised her contributions. In a 2019 interview, Shapiro called Metcalf “one of the greatest actors of our time” and credited her with helping to shape Steppenwolf’s early identity.
Working with Scott Rudin: Talent and Turmoil
Metcalf’s collaboration with Scott Rudin on *A Doll’s House, Part 2* was a critical and commercial success, earning her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. But the experience was far from smooth. Rudin, who has been accused by dozens of former employees of verbal abuse, bullying, and even physical aggression, has been a polarizing figure in Hollywood for years. Metcalf’s account aligns with many of the stories that have emerged about his management style. “He could be brilliant, but he could also be terrifying,” she says. “There were times when I wondered if the stress was worth it.”
Rudin’s downfall began in 2021 when *The Hollywood Reporter* published an investigation detailing his alleged mistreatment of assistants and collaborators. The revelations led to his resignation from multiple projects, including the Broadway productions of *The Music Man* and *To Kill a Mockingbird*. Metcalf does not directly address the allegations against Rudin but makes it clear that her experience working with him was fraught. “I don’t know if I would do it again,” she admits. “There are some people who are just too difficult to work with, no matter how talented they are.”
The *Roseanne* Revival and Its Aftermath
Metcalf’s return to *Roseanne* in 2018 was a reunion nearly three decades in the making. The revival, which brought back the original cast, was a ratings hit, but its second season was abruptly canceled after Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. The fallout was swift: ABC scrapped the show, and Barr was fired from the spin-off *The Conners*, which continued without her.
In the profile, Metcalf reflects on the incident with a mix of sadness and frustration. “I was shocked,” she says. “I had worked with Roseanne for years, and I never saw that side of her. It was like she became a different person.” Metcalf adds that the cancellation was particularly painful because it erased the hard work of the cast and crew. “We had just started to find our rhythm again, and then it was all gone.”
Despite the controversy, Metcalf has continued to work steadily, appearing in films like *Lady Bird* and *Scream* (2022), as well as the HBO series *Hacks*. She says she has no plans to retire, though she is selective about the roles she takes. “I just want to do work that matters,” she says. “I don’t need the spotlight anymore, but I do need to feel like I’m contributing something.”
What’s Next for Laurie Metcalf?
Metcalf’s profile arrives at a time when she is reflecting on a career that has spanned nearly five decades. She hints at future projects but remains tight-lipped about specifics. “I’ve got a few things in the works,” she says. “But I’m not in a rush. I want to grab my time and make sure it’s the right fit.”
One thing is clear: Metcalf is not interested in sugarcoating her experiences. Whether discussing her falling out with Steppenwolf, her complicated relationship with Scott Rudin, or the collapse of *Roseanne*, she speaks with a candor that is rare in an industry often defined by PR spin. For fans and colleagues alike, her willingness to confront these difficult chapters head-on offers a refreshing dose of authenticity.
As for what comes next, Metcalf seems content to let the work speak for itself. “I’ve had a good run,” she says. “I’m proud of what I’ve done, and I’m excited to see what’s next.”
What do you think about Laurie Metcalf’s revelations? Are there other Hollywood figures you’d like to see share their unfiltered stories? Join the conversation in the comments below and share this article with fellow theater and TV fans.
