A longtime crew member of ABC’s “The Conners” and “Roseanne” died on set Thursday after suffering a “fatal medical event,” according to a spokesperson for Werner Entertainment, the production company behind “The Conners.” His identity was not disclosed.
“With heavy hearts we regret to confirm that a member of our technical crew suffered a fatal medical event today,” reads the statement provided to Variety by Werner Entertainment. “He was a much loved member of ‘The Conners’ and ‘Roseanne’ families for over 25 years. As we remember our beloved colleague, we ask that you respect the privacy of his family and loved ones as they begin their grieving process.”
TMZ, which first reported the news, said the crew member was on Stage 22 of the CBS Studio Center when the medical emergency occurred.
“The Conners” premiered in the fall of 2018 after “Roseanne” was canceled at ABC earlier the same year following a racist tweet from star and creator Roseanne Barr. The show continued on without Barr with the rest of the cast.
The series, which was in production on its third season, currently stars John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, Michael Fishman, Emma Kenney, Ames McNamara, and Jayden Rey. Gilbert, Tom Werner, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen, and Tony Hernandez are executive producers on the spinoff. Like other TV and film projects, “The Conners” went back into production last October after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic brought the industry to an abrupt halt, forcing most U.S.-based ongoing series to pause filming for about half a year.
