When Rosie O’Donnell stepped up to the plate as Doris Murphy, the tough but lovable third baseman, she practically stole the show from a cast already stacked with stars like Geena Davis, Madonna, and Tom Hanks. Doris had a sharp wit, a big heart, and a knack for delivering one-liners that cut as cleanly as a line drive down the third base line.
Part of the film’s charm is that it balances humor with real emotion, and Rosie nailed that sweet spot. Doris wasn’t just there for laughs—she was the teammate who always had your back, whether it was standing up to hecklers in the stands or keeping spirits high in the locker room. With A League of Their Own now considered a sports classic, Rosie’s performance has earned its place in pop culture right alongside “There’s no crying in baseball!”
Playing Betty Rubble in the live-action adaptation of The Flintstones could have easily gone off the rails (or maybe off the Stone Age cliffs). But Rosie O’Donnell managed to embody the cartoon classic with charm, warmth, and—yes—that famous Betty giggle. Starring alongside John Goodman as Fred and Rick Moranis as Barney, Rosie added just the right amount of sweetness and sass to the prehistoric sitcom-turned-movie.
What makes her Betty so memorable is that she didn’t try to reinvent the character. Instead, she leaned into what fans already loved about Betty, while still making the role feel fresh for a big-screen audience. The film itself may not be everyone’s cup of bronto-juice, but Rosie’s performance is often singled out as one of the highlights.
Every great rom-com heroine needs a best friend who’s funny, supportive, and just a little nosy—and that’s exactly what Rosie O’Donnell delivered as Tanya in Sleepless in Seattle. Her sharp humor and down-to-earth advice gave Annie (Meg Ryan) a sounding board, and gave audiences plenty of laughs in the middle of all that swoony, cross-country longing.
Rosie had the tricky task of playing “the friend” without turning her into a cliché. Instead, Tanya feels like the kind of person you’d actually want in your corner—quick to cut through the drama with a zinger, but also kind enough to nudge Annie toward her happily-ever-after. In a movie built on fantasy romance, Rosie’s Tanya was the dose of reality we all needed, reminding us that sometimes your best friend is the true MVP of any love story.
Only Rosie O’Donnell could make a wisecracking gorilla both hilarious and heartwarming. As Terk in Disney’s animated Tarzan, Rosie brought her signature energy and comedic timing to the jungle, creating a sidekick who stole every scene. Terk was loud, loyal, and endlessly funny—kind of like the friend who convinces you to try something dangerous and then laughs the loudest when it works out.
Disney sidekicks often end up being fan favorites, and Terk is no exception. Rosie’s voice work gave the character a big personality, with just enough warmth to balance the sarcasm. Whether she was belting out “Trashin’ the Camp” or charging into danger by Tarzan’s side, Terk became one of the reasons kids (and parents) kept rewatching the film.
In Nickelodeon’s first-ever theatrical release, Rosie O’Donnell stepped into the role of Ole Golly, Harriet’s no-nonsense nanny and mentor. Based on the classic children’s novel, Harriet the Spy told the story of a curious young girl navigating friendship, honesty, and the messy business of growing up. Rosie’s Ole Golly was Harriet’s biggest champion, encouraging her to write, observe, and think for herself.
What made Rosie’s performance so memorable is the balance she struck between warmth and discipline. Ole Golly wasn’t the type to sugarcoat the truth, but she delivered life lessons in a way that stuck with both Harriet and the audience. For kids in the ’90s, she became that wise adult figure we all wished we had—supportive, inspiring, and just a little intimidating when she needed to be.
