“There was a lot of crossover between me and Darlene.”
She knew she wanted a career in Hollywood by the time she finished kindergarten.
“I was dying to do it.
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My sister and brother were both in entertainment and I was so determined to do the same thing.
They would get gifts from working on sets, especially at Christmas.
I wanted in on those presents.”
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Runaway Ralph(1988)
Gilbert starred opposite a very young Fred Savage in thisABC Weekend Special.
“I remember playing his friend, or he was also at this camp.
It was so long ago, beforeThe Wonder Years.
Everett Collection; ABC
None of us really had any credits.”
“I knew she lived sort of a fast life at the time.
And then, she has so much heart.
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We hit it off right away.”
“I was like, that is so bizarre that this huge director wants to cast me.
He had no idea whatRoseannewas or didn’t recognize me from that at all.
Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives
I remember being excited that someone liked something else that I did because I was mainly known forRoseanne.”
“I remember meeting her and how she made me audition a lot of times.
It wasn’t an easy one to get.
And then, you’re just thrilled that Penny Marshall wants to work with you.
She was such a character, so direct and funny.
I just remember we had to do this big wedding scene that took days and days.
Everett Collection
So for days, she would just keep shouting, “EATING.
ER(2004-2007)
Gilbert played Dr. Jane Figler on the mega-hit for NBC.
But her biggest memory of working on the Warner Bros. lot in those heady days?
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Avoiding the carts packed with gawking tourists.
“I would hide,” she recalls.
“I just feel shy.
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(It began asRoseannein 2017 but was canceled afterRoseanne Barr posted a racist tweet.
It was revived later asThe Conners).
“But so often there are elements outside of your control.
You do your best and then stars align, or they don’t.”
