John Stamos Surprised by ‘Full House’ and Its Legacy 30 Years Later
John Stamos recently had a conversation with USA TODAY’s Erin Jensen discussing his new Disney+ series “Big Shot” while reflecting on his past roles in “Full House” and “ER.”
John Stamos’ Humble Walk Down Memory Lane in Debut Memoir
John Stamos, a Southern California-born actor, who turned his recurring role on a soap opera into a successful 40-plus-year career, never thought that his life story would one day fill the pages of a book. However, his debut memoir, titled “If You Would Have Told Me” (Henry Holt and Company, 334 pp., out Oct. 24), takes readers on a humble journey through his life. Stamos found fame as a teen idol on “General Hospital” and later became an icon on the beloved family comedy “Full House.” Despite his professional success, Stamos has faced heartbreak in the form of a high-profile divorce from actress Rebecca Romijn and a public battle with alcoholism. Stamos tells USA TODAY, “For as many high points as I’ve had in my life, I’ve had a lot of low points, and those are the moments that people can relate to me. It’s a deep dive into a life that I thought wasn’t worthy of a book, but as I wrote it, I realized maybe it is and maybe people will learn a little bit from my experience.”
John Stamos Reflects on the Legacy of “Full House”
Stamos, who portrayed Uncle Jesse Katsopolis on “Full House” from 1987-1995, admits that writing about the show’s near-decade run proved to be a challenge. However, he believes it was important to acknowledge the impact and legacy of the beloved sitcom. Stamos says, “It changed all of our lives, and I’ve spent so many years trying to put it behind me, I wanted to show that I can’t get away from it. Why not be proud of something that people really love and that was good and wholesome?” Stamos also opens up about his creative clashes with co-star Bob Saget, describing him as the “humblest egomaniac I’ve ever met.” Despite their differences, Stamos shares that their relationship deepened when all three of their sisters fell seriously ill at the same time.
John Stamos’ “Gift” of Playing with The Beach Boys
Stamos reveals that his love for The Beach Boys led him to become an honorary member of the band in the early ’80s after catching the attention of Beach Boys’ musician Jeffrey Foskett during a performance at Disneyland. Stamos’ connection with the band spanned decades and included performances and guest appearances on “Full House.” The actor credits The Beach Boys, particularly frontman Mike Love, for inspiring his work ethic and stage presence. Stamos says, “I can take all the stuff that I’ve learned from being onstage with them into the sitcom world and theater when you have to hold the stage. Watching Mike Love as a frontman, he gives it his absolute all every single night…It’s an incredible explosion of love and goodness.”
John Stamos Opens Up About His Battle with Alcoholism
Stamos candidly discusses his struggle with alcoholism, which began during his Broadway run in “Cabaret” in 2002. What started as “liquid courage” to cope with the pressures of performing turned into a full-blown addiction. Stamos reached a breaking point in 2015 when he was charged with a DUI after driving under the influence. Reflecting on this period of his life, Stamos says, “Writing about that just made me sick to my stomach because I could’ve killed somebody. It was just gross where I’d gotten to, where I threw all my family values, morals, and beliefs out the window.” Following the DUI incident, Stamos sought treatment through Alcoholics Anonymous and emphasizes the importance of sobriety in his life, stating that it played a significant role in his “fairytale ending.”
John Stamos Finds True Love After Divorce from Rebecca Romijn
Stamos opens up about his heartbreaking divorce from Rebecca Romijn, which left him feeling lost and soulless. The actor admits that he used to believe he needed to be with a certain type of person to elevate his own status. However, he now realizes that what matters most is finding someone with genuine kindness and a good heart. Stamos found his soulmate in actress Caitlin McHugh, whom he met on the set of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Stamos describes his marriage to McHugh as not just changing his life, but giving him a life. He says, “I thought once you’re an adult, that’s a boring life and you’re not having any fun, but that’s actually when life really happened for me – the real life, not show business – but to have a family, to have a son who’s jumping up and down when I come home, to have somebody to share the great stuff with.”
John Stamos Embraces Fatherhood in Midlife
At the age of 54, Stamos became a father for the first time when his son, Billy, was born in 2018. Stamos describes his son’s sense of humor as reminiscent of his late friend Bob Saget’s off-colored style. Becoming a father in midlife has given Stamos a sense of focus and purpose. He says, “It’s just been so much better that I’m established, and I’m not trying to prove myself. I’m not trying to find anything. I’m not trying to figure out who I am or what my career is. I can just focus on being a good dad when I’m with him.” Stamos believes that parenthood arrived at the perfect time in his life and encourages others to live with kindness and love.
John Stamos Opens Up About Divorce from Rebecca Romijn and Childhood Sexual Assault
In his memoir, Stamos delves into the painful experiences of his divorce from Rebecca Romijn as well as his own childhood sexual assault. He shares these deeply personal stories to shed light on the challenges he has faced and to offer support to others going through similar experiences.
