Her mother, Libby, was a librarian.
In 2011, she appeared in the Off-Broadway play by , directed by.
She starred with her real-life daughter,.
For her Broadway performances, she has received six nominations, winning in 2017 for her performance in and for the 2018 revival of 's.
Metcalf reprised her role in , a spinoff of Roseanne without Barr's involvement which premiered in fall 2018.
She was often so focused on her work she missed lunch.