Full House was a popular US sitcom, created by Jeff Frankin, that aired from 1987-1995 on ABC. It starred John Stamos, Bob Saget, and Dave Coulier as three guys raising three young kids in San Francisco, and launched the careers of many of its cast members. Here are some pictures of cast members then and now.
John Stamos – Then
Stamos was already a household name when he took on the role of rock star Jesse Katsopolis on Full House. The Californian first rose to fame for playing the part of Blackie Parrish in General Hospital, before starring in 192 episodes of Full House, a role which made him a heartthrob.
John Stamos – Now
Following the show’s conclusion in 1995, Stamos acted in numerous movies and TV shows across the years, making appearances in programs including ER, Friends and Two and a Half Men. In recent years he has appeared in the second season of psychological thriller You, and starred in Netflix’s sequel TV show Fuller House.
Candace Cameron Bure – Then
Candace Cameron-Bure portrayed the eldest of the Tanner girls, D.J. Bure had appeared sporadically on TV before she won the role in Full House at the age of just 10 years old. She had to experience so much in her time on the show, including her first kiss!
Candace Cameron Bure – Now
Cameron-Bure has continued to act in film and TV since the show finished, starring in Make It Or Break It, also for ABC. She reprised her role in spin-off series Fuller House, in which she also directed 3 episodes. Most recently she played the titular role in the Hallmark film series Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.
The Olsen Twins – Then
Michelle Tanner, believe it or not, was played by both Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who were infants at the time. The twins would go on to become breakout stars, and developed their own movie production company called Dualstar, choosing their own projects, and became preteen icons as a result.
The Olsen Twins – Now
Well, they’ve come a long way since the days of Full House. The Olsen Twins are now something of an American institution, with a legacy of movie studios, fashion lines, and beauty products. Though the sisters have both retired from acting, the 37-year-olds continue to enjoy huge success as fashion designers.
Andrea Barber – Then
Barber portrayed Kimmy Gibbler, who was D.J.’s best friend on the show. She was kooky and quirky, and their relationship was a fan favorite, widely regarded as one of the best things in the show. Before Full House, Barber enjoyed a recurring role on the soap Days of Our Lives.
Andrea Barber – Now
Since Full House ended, Barber quit acting, went back into education to get a degree, gave birth to two kids, and started acting again. She has also resurrected Kimmy by appearing on Netflix’s Fuller House, and currently appears in the Nickelodeon comedy series That Girl Lay Lay.
Jodie Sweetin – Then
Sweetin played the Tanner family’s middle child Stephanie, a sassy, quick-witted, and sarcastic child whom Sweetin played to perfection. With a complicated and difficult childhood, Sweetin fell into acting. Her first role was a guest appearance in comedy Valerie, before being cast in Full House.
Jodie Sweetin – Now
Since waving goodbye to Steph, Sweetin has battled addiction, gotten married four times, and continued to act in that time. In addition to reprising her role in Fuller House, she has also appeared in a range of TV films, and recently appeared as herself in the comedy show Hollywood Darlings.
Dave Coulier – Then
Comedian and stand-up icon Coulier provided most of the comic relief in the show, and his role of Joey was a fan favorite. He had done a few TV projects and had a couple of film appearances prior to Full House, such as The Jetsons, Out of Control and Muppet Babies.
Dave Coulier – Now
These days Coullier can be found on the comedy circuit, as well as other TV work including Robot Chicken. He reprised his role as Joey in Fuller House from 2016-2020, and he is alleged to be the subject of Alanis Morissette’s song You Oughta Know.
Lori Loughlin – Then
Uncle Jesse’s love interest was “Aunt Becky,” and she was played by Lori Loughlin. Loughlin added a warmth and emotional depth to the role and really brought out the best performances in the rest of the cast. Eventually envisioned for a 6-episode arc, her character became enormously popular, and she became a regular.
Lori Loughlin – Now
Now a mother of two, Loughlin has continued to act since the show came to a close. She’s appeared on programmes including Summerland, and the remake of Beverly Hills 90210, for which she was nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2009. She reprised her role as Becky in Fuller House.
Scott Baio – Then
Baio made an appearance on Full House in the ninth episode of season three. He was a big star at the time, having already starred in Happy Days, Charles In Charge, and Joanie Loves Chachi. It was his only appearance on the show, but it was a memorable one.
Scott Baio – Now
Post-House Baio played a big role in Diagnosis Murder, as well as in shows such as Baby Talk and Arrested Development. He also appeared as himself in the 2006 Wes Craven comedy-horror werewolf movie Cursed. Baio was also a profilic TV director in the 1990s, working on shows like The Wayans Bros., and The Jamie Foxx Show.
Bob Saget – Then
Saget has had a colorful career as a stand-up comedian and comic actor, and he was the producers’ first choice to play Danny, despite never having played a lead on TV before. Due to scheduling conflicts with The Morning Program, Saget almost didn’t get the role.
Bob Saget – Now
After Full House ended, Saget had a number of near misses and sitcoms that never quite took off. But, in 2005 he landed the voice-only role of Future Ted in smash-hit series How I Met Your Mother. Like his fellow cast members, he also reprised his role of Danny in Fuller House. He passed away in 2022.
Scott Weinger – Then
Weinger rose to fame as Steve Hale, D.J.’s first proper boyfriend on the show. He had previously worked on Life Goes On, and had a leading role in short-lived sitcom The Family Man, in 1990. He joined the cast of Full House in 1991, and would appear in 50 episodes of the show.
Scott Weinger – Now
Since Full House ended, Weinger has continued to act, voicing Aladdin in the animated show of the same name, before making appearances in shows including Walker, Texas Ranger and Scrubs. He has also branched out into writing and producing in more recent years.
Tuomy-Wilhoit Twins – Then
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were not the only twins to appear on the show. Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit also appeared as Nicky and Alex Katsopolis, the kids of Jesse and Becky. The twins appeared in 70 episodes of the show between 1992 and 1995.
Tuomy-Wilhoit Twins – Now
Since the show ended neither of them has acted – save for reprising their roles in Fuller House. Both, however, have worked on various projects in the sound department. These have included shows such as Game of Thrones, The Nevers, and Lovecraft Country, as well as movies including Furious 7, and Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse.
The Beach Boys – Then
Yes, amazingly The Beach Boys actually made appearances on the show as themselves. They show up in seasons 2 and 3, and in a music video in season 5. The group needs no introduction, and was already one of the most popular and influential bands of all-time at that point.
The Beach Boys – Now
The band is still together, and they are making music and touring, albeit sporadically. With some lineup changes, and former members passing away, the group’s most recent studio album was 2012’s That’s Why God Made the Radio. Since then it has been back catalog re-releases.
Erika Eleniak – Then
If you were eagle-eyed when watching season 4 you would have spotted Erika Eleniak in the role of Jesse’s high school girlfriend Carrie. Eleniak made her film debut in the Steven Spielberg movie E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, and had a large role in Baywatch before her single episode appearance in Full House in 1990.
Erika Eleniak – Now
Eleniak went on to have a successful career in film and TV. In addition to her main role in Baywatch, she appeared in the Steven Seagal movie Under Siege. She has worked on numerous shows in more recent times, including CSI: Miami and Desperate Housewives, as well as appearing as herself on several reality shows.
Little Richard – Then
Soul legend Little Richard also appeared on the show during the 7th season. He played himself, but he was also revealed to be Denise’s uncle. As a hugely successful and iconic recording artist over many years, Richard’s cameo in the show remains one of the most memorable
Little Richard – Now
Richard continued to make cameo appearances in film and TV, appearing in projects such as Baywatch and The Simpsons. He also released two records in the early 1990s, and one in the 00s. He has since passed away in 2020, at the age of 87, leaving a musical legacy behind.
Gail Edwards – Then
Edwards had a strong body of work before her appearance in Full House, with roles in Taxi, Happy Days, It’s a Living, and Blossom. She joined the cast of Full House in 1991, playing the character of Vicky Larson in a 17-episode run between 1991 and 1993.
Gail Edwards – Now
She initially retired from acting in 1994, and moved to the Southwest. However, she returned to the small screen in 2017 to reprise her role of Vicky in the third season of sequel show Fuller House, and then in the finale episode in 2020, but has not acted in any capacity since.
Jurnee Smollett – Then
Smollett began her acting career in 1992, appearing in Martin and Out All Night, before securing her first major role on Full House that same year. She portrayed Denise Frazer in 12 episodes of the show, as well as four episodes of the show’s sister series Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper.
Jurnee Smollett – Now
Smollett has enjoyed a successful career in film and television since her appearance in Full House. She has acted in the movies Gridiron Gang, Hands of Stone, and Birds of Prey, as well as enjoying regular roles in successful shows such as Friday Night Lights, and True Blood.
Jaleel White – Then
White appeared on the show during the fourth season, in the episode “Stephanie Gets Framed.” He was making a crossover appearance as Steve Urkel, his character from the show Family Matters. Before the show he had appeared in Charlie & Co., as well as an episode of The Jeffersons.
Jaleel White – Now
After Full House, White enjoyed a stint voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the show Grown Ups. He has also enjoyed a recurring role in The Big Show Show, and starred in the sitcom Me, Myself & I, which ran for a single season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Then
Basketball star and NBA legend Abdul-Jabbar appeared in an episode of the show’s eighth and final season, playing himself as the celebrity referee for a charity basketball game Jesse plays in. The retired star was already an icon of the game by this point, as a 6-time MVP and 19-time NBA All-Star.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Now
Since his appearance on the show, Abdul-Jabbar went into coaching, and worked as an assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as later a scout for the New York Knicks. In 2013 he moved on from coaching, but has had a prolific acting career, appearing in shows such as Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, and was a writer for the Veronica Mars revival show.
Tahj Mowry – Then
Mowry appeared in an episode of the show Who’s the Boss? in 1990, before securing the part of Teddy in Full House in 1991. He portrayed the recurring character in 14 episodes between 1991-1995. His performance earned him a 1992 nomination for a Young Artist Award.
Tahj Mowry – Now
Following on from his role on the show, Mowry received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a child prodigy in the show Smart Guy. He also had large roles in the shows Kim Possible, and Baby Daddy, and in 2022 had a recurring role in the short-lived sitcom How We Roll.
Fuller House! – Then
This is a cast photo from back at the beginning of the original series. Check out how young they all look here! Some of these actors are appearing in their first ever TV show, whilst other cast members are seasoned stars. It’s unlikely they knew the success the show would go on to become.
Fuller House! – Now
And, as a comparison, this is a cast photo from Netflix spin-off show Fuller House. The show was a success, running for five seasons on the streaming platform. It featured the return of all the original cast members, with the exception of the Olsen twins, and it helped to revitalize the careers of some of the cast and crew.