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In 1987, ABC introduced a new family sitcom that quickly captured the hearts of millions. Full House focused on Danny Tanner, played by Bob Saget, a single father navigating the challenges of raising three daughters after the sudden death of their mother. The show featured a strong supporting cast, including John Stamos as Jesse Katsopolis and Dave Coulier as Joey Gladstone.
Jesse was Danny’s brother-in-law, and Joey was Danny’s best friend. They both moved in with Danny after the death of Jesse’s sister, helping him raise his three kids.
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Related: ‘Full House’ Star Gets Painfully Honest About Her Health Battle
Full House became a cultural phenomenon, showcasing young talents such as Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The original series ran for eight successful seasons and cemented its status as a beloved television classic.
Following its conclusion, Netflix revived the franchise with Fuller House in 2016, where familiar characters returned to explore new family dynamics, albeit without Saget, Stamos, and Coulier in regular roles. However, all three men appeared multiple times throughout the show’s five seasons in guest-starring roles.
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In a heartbreaking turn of events, Dave Coulier revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a serious form of blood cancer. This diagnosis came after a routine illness spiraled into a shocking health crisis.
During an interview with PEOPLE, Coulier recounted experiencing a severe upper respiratory infection in October, which led to significant swelling in his lymph nodes. His condition worsened abruptly, with one lymph node swelling to the size of a golf ball. The doctor performed a biopsy — in which part of the lymph node is removed and tested — and gave Coulier news that would change everything.
“Three days later, my doctors called me back and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it’s called B cell and it’s very aggressive,’” he recalls.
“I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming,” he says. “This has been a really fast roller coaster ride of a journey.”
Credit: Netflix
Following the diagnosis, Coulier quickly transitioned into treatment mode. Consultation with his wife, Melissa, and their friends in the medical field led to a strategic plan to confront the illness head-on. With stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma at hand, they established a precise treatment regimen focused on chemotherapy.
Fortunately, a test on his bone marrow revealed that the cancer had not spread further, increasing his chances of a favorable outcome to more than 90%.
“We all kind of put our heads together and said, ‘Okay, where are we going?’ And they had a very specific plan for how they were going to treat this,” he says, noting that a bright spot in his diagnosis was when his bone marrow test came back negative. “At that point, my chances of curable went from something low to 90% range. And so that was a great day.”
Credit: Disney General Entertainment
Related: ‘Full House’ Stars Pay Tribute to America’s Dad, Bob Saget
Coulier began chemotherapy soon after, marking the start of what he describes as a challenging yet hopeful journey. The actor demonstrated resolve by preemptively shaving his head, a symbolic gesture of facing the treatment with courage and transparency.
As he embarks on this new chapter, rest assured he was not alone; his medical team, family, and friends remained an essential support system throughout his treatment process. He said that he was fighting not only for himself but also for his wife and his son, who is currently expecting his first child.
Coulier’s personal battle with cancer serves as a profound motivation for raising awareness about early detection and the significance of regular screening. Having lost several family members to cancer, including his mother and sister, he understands the critical role timely medical intervention can play in improving outcomes. He has actively encouraged others to undergo screenings, whether they involve mammograms, colonoscopies, or simple consultations with healthcare providers.
Our thoughts are with Dave Coulier as he takes on this battle with strength and optimism. If you or someone you know notices unusual health changes, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.
