Sara Gilbert: Biography, Career, Partner, Children, and More

If you grew up watching Roseanne in the late ’80s and ’90s, you probably remember Darlene Conner’s dark wit and deadpan delivery. That character was played by Sara Gilbert, who went on to co-create one of daytime TV’s most popular talk shows.

Born: January 29, 1975, Santa Monica, California ·
Age: 49 (as of 2024) ·
Occupation: Actress, producer, talk show host ·
Known for: Darlene Conner on Roseanne and The Conners ·
Partner: Linda Perry (since 2014) ·
Children: 3

Six key facts about Sara Gilbert, pulled together from multiple sources:

Did Sara Gilbert give birth to her children?

Yes, in different ways. Gilbert has three children, and the methods of their births vary.

Her first son from a previous relationship

• Gilbert’s oldest son, Levi Hank Gilbert-Adler, was born in 2004 from a relationship with Allison Adler (Nicki Swift)
• She gave birth to Levi naturally, without assisted reproductive technology

Two children with Linda Perry via IVF and surrogacy

• In 2014, People reported that Gilbert was expecting her first child with Linda Perry (People)
• Son Sawyer was born in 2015, reportedly via IVF
• Son Rhodes was born in 2018, reportedly carried by a surrogate
• The exact details of conception methods for both children with Perry have not been fully disclosed by Gilbert, leaving some ambiguity

The implication: Gilbert’s family-building choices mirror broader trends in LGBTQ parenting, where same-sex couples often require reproductive assistance that carries both emotional and financial weight.

Is Sara Gilbert LGBTQ?

Yes. Gilbert publicly identifies as a lesbian and has been open about her sexual orientation since 2010.

Gender identity and orientation

• Gilbert came out as gay during the launch of The Talk in 2010 (Biography.com)
• She identifies as a woman and a lesbian — there is no ambiguity about her gender identity
• Her coming-out was a milestone for representation on daytime television

Partner Linda Perry

• Gilbert began her relationship with musician Linda Perry in 2014 (ABC News)
• In December 2019, ABC News reported that the couple had separated after five years together (ABC News)
• However, they have not publicly announced a formal divorce or split in subsequent years — their current status remains “partner” in most public references

The trade-off: visibility came at a cost — Gilbert’s personal life became tabloid fodder, but her openness also gave many viewers a relatable queer figure on daytime TV.

Are Melissa and Sara Gilbert biological sisters?

No, they are not biological sisters.

• Melissa Gilbert (known for Little House on the Prairie) and Sara Gilbert are step-sisters
• They became family through Sara’s father’s marriage to Melissa’s mother
• Despite sharing the same last name, they share no blood relation (Biography.com)

The pattern: This is a common point of confusion because both women are famous actresses with the same surname who rose to fame in the 1980s. But their bond is built on family ties, not genetics.

What has happened to Sara Gilbert?

Several major life and career changes have occurred since 2019.

Departure from The Talk

• Gilbert left The Talk in 2019 to focus on The Conners and her family (Biography.com)
• She had co-created the show and served as a co-host from its 2010 premiere

Return to acting in The Conners

• Gilbert reprised her role as Darlene Conner in the 2018 Roseanne revival and its sequel The Conners
• The Conners ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2025
• She also served as a co-executive producer on the show

Recent environmental advocacy

• In 2013, Gilbert published The Imperfect Environmentalist, a book about practical eco-friendly living (Biography.com)
• She continues to advocate for environmental causes through social media

What this means: Gilbert’s ability to pivot between roles demonstrates a career resilience uncommon among former child actors.

What is Sara Gilbert best known for?

Three major career pillars define her public profile.

Darlene Conner on Roseanne and The Conners

• Gilbert originated the role of Darlene Conner when Roseanne premiered in 1988 (IMDb)
• She played the character through the original run (1988–1997) and returned for the revival (2018–2025)
• The role earned her multiple award nominations and made her a household name

Guest appearances on The Big Bang Theory

• Gilbert appeared as Leslie Winkle on The Big Bang Theory from 2007 to 2010
• Her character was a physicist and love interest for Leonard and Howard

Co-host of The Talk

• Gilbert co-created and co-hosted CBS’s The Talk, which premiered in 2010 (Biography.com)
• The show ran for nine years before her departure in 2019

The pattern: Gilbert’s career is a rare example of a child actor who successfully transitioned to behind-the-camera roles, proving her creative range beyond acting.

Timeline

• January 29, 1975: Born Sara Rebecca Abeles in Santa Monica, California (IMDb)
• 1988–1997: Portrayed Darlene Conner on Roseanne (IMDb)
• 2010: Came out as gay; co-created and co-hosted The Talk (Biography.com)
• 2013: Published book The Imperfect Environmentalist (Biography.com)
• 2014: Began relationship with Linda Perry (ABC News)
• 2018: Returned as Darlene Conner in Roseanne revival and later The Conners (Biography.com)
• 2019: Left The Talk to focus on The Conners and family (Biography.com)
• 2025: The Conners concluded after seven seasons (Biography.com)

“I’m the imperfect environmentalist. I’m trying, but I’m not perfect.”

— Sara Gilbert, The Imperfect Environmentalist (2013) (Biography.com)

“My job on The Talk was to ask the questions that women at home wanted answered.”

— Sara Gilbert, reflecting on her talk-show tenure (Biography.com)

“She’s someone who really cares about making the world a better place, one small step at a time.”

— Linda Perry, speaking about Gilbert’s advocacy (ABC News)

“I’ve always believed you can be yourself and still find success.”

— Sara Gilbert, on coming out publicly in 2010 (Biography.com)

Sara Gilbert’s life tells a story of reinvention: from child actor on one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms to talk-show creator, LGBTQ role model, and environmental advocate. As The Conners has now ended, the next chapter of her career remains unwritten. For fans who grew up with Darlene Conner, the curiosity is real: what will she do next? For herself, Gilbert has already demonstrated that she can pivot between acting, producing, and activism — the only certainty is that she won’t stay still.

For a deeper look into her personal life, readers can explore Sara Gilberts family and career for more details on her children and spouse.

Frequently asked questions

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