Dave Coulier Revealed Cancer Diagnosis toFull HouseCast in Group Text: 'Didn't Want Them to Hear It from Someone Else' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Andrea Barber and Jodie Sweetin.Photo:Emily Assiran/Getty

Emily Assiran/Getty

Dave Coulierhas the support of hisFull Housefamily amid his cancer diagnosis.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor, 65, reveals he first learned he hadstage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphomain October when an upper respiratory infection caused major swelling in his lymph nodes.

After going in for more testing, the results gave him some shocking news that has since changed his life.

“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.”

While Coulier has had the support ofhis wife Melissa Bringand son Luc amid his cancer journey, he has also been leaning on hisFull Housecostars.

Coulier tells PEOPLE that he first revealed the news to his castmates in a group message, which includedJohn Stamos,Candace Cameron Bure,Andrea Barber,Jodie Sweetin,Lori Loughlin,Scott Weingerand series creatorJeff Franklin.

“I didn’t want them to hear it from someone else, so I sent a text message out,” he says, noting that the response from everyone “was immediate.”“It was just this outpouring of, ‘I will be there. You just name the time, and I know you’re in great hands with Mel, but what can we do?’ It really is overwhelming the love that we have for each other. We’ve been there for so many years for each other and it’s pretty remarkable.”

Full House cast with Bob Saget.Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

The past few years have been very emotional for the cast, especially following the death of the show’s patriarchBob Saget in January 2022, though Coulier notes those trying times have made them appreciate their time together even more.

“I think we value not only our lives together, but we value our lives,” he says. “We value those good times and the positive moments that we’ve gotten to share. And I think that that spills over to other people, and it’s just positive. There’s not many negatives when I’m with that group of people. It’s really just laughter and positivity, and we appreciate so much what we have in our lives and the people around us.”

He adds that Stamos, 61, is coming to visit him amid his chemo treatments. “I can’t wait for him to visit, Nov. 15, I get a chemo treatment. Nov. 16, John’s going to be here,” he says, adding that Stamos is leaving the itinerary for his visit up to Coulier.

John Stamos and Dave Coulier.Kelly Lee Barrett/Getty

Kelly Lee Barrett/Getty

Coulier further opens up about his diagnosis on hisFull House Rewindpodcast, which he says has been a kind of “video comfort food” as he watches his beloved show all the way through for the first time.

“I never watchedFull House,” he admits, adding that watching each episode has given him a new appreciation for the show. “I understand it. I get it. I understand why kids loved it so much, why families loved it so much, and why it’s become so cross-generational. It’s really got wonderful elements for kids and families.”

Full House.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

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With all the pivotal lessons on the show, one thing he’s taken away from the series is the importance of treating people with “love and respect” and always trying your best.

”I didn’t understand that so much when we were actually doing the show because it was so intense doing 192 episodes, but I get it now,” he adds. “I can actually be so much more objective having a son going through family moments, going through raising a child. It just all makes sense to me. Now, I’m like, ‘Oh, now I see what was in the Kool-Aid. I get it.”

source: people.com