Full House alum Dave Coulier shared how his recent stage 3 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis has affected his outlook on life.
Dave Coulier has lived a full life.
The Full House alum opened up about how his recent stage 3 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis has impacted his outlook on life, sharing a revelation that he’d discussed with wife Melissa Coulier.
“I told Melissa I don’t know why, but I [am] OK with whatever the news [is] going to be no matter how devastating,” Coulier told Today.com in an interview published Nov. 13. “I can’t explain where that came from.”
“I’ve had an incredible life,” he continued. “I’ve had the most amazing people in my life. This has been an extraordinary journey, and I’m OK if this is the end of the journey.”
The 65-year-old recounted first finding out about his diagnosis over the phone about five weeks prior to sharing it publicly.
“The first thing I said to them was, ‘Wait a minute — cancer?'” he recalled. “I was feeling like I got punched in the stomach because it never happens to you. You always hear about it happening to someone else.”
The Fuller House star’s mind then jumped to his wife of 10 years.
“I was just contemplating, ‘How do I tell her?'” he explained. “When I told her, of course, she thought I was joking.”
Coulier added that his wife “has been so incredible from when [they] first got the news” and has “organized [his] entire life, from nutrition to the doctor’s appointments to the pills,” even going so far as having his supplies “color-coded.”
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesIn the time since his diagnosis, the actor has undergone three surgeries, finished his first of an expected six rounds of chemotherapy and started losing his hair, joking with Today host Hoda Kotb during his Nov. 13 appearance that he looks “like a little baby bird now.”
While Coulier’s cancer is “very aggressive”—he had a “golf ball”-sized growth in his groin that was growing “very quickly”—the actor noted that his doctors expect him to be in “total remission” by the time he’s finished with chemo in February 2025.
That’s4Entertainment/Kristin Locurto“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster,” he reflected. “There [are] days where I feel unbelievable. Then there’s other days where … I’m just going to lay down and let this be what it’s going to be.”
Ultimately, Coulier hopes that by sharing his story, he can encourage others to get checked to hopefully avoid an even more serious diagnosis.
“I’m treating this as a journey,” he said. “And if I can help someone who’s watching today get an early screening, a breast exam, a colonoscopy, a prostate exam, go do it. Because, you know, for me, early detection meant everything.”
Read on for more celebs who have opened up about their cancer journeys.
(E! and Today are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Albert L. Ortega/Getty ImagesThe actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo“I had to have a lil bit o’cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied,” the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. “(In the clear now!)”
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicThe Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. “After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me,” she shared on Instagram.
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesThe two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman “surgically cured.”
J.H. SAUNDERS/LandovThe X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman’s rep told E! News that he’s “all good” now.
In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, “If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen.”
Adam Olszweski/Bravo/NBCU Photo BankCamille Grammer
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/APThe Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.
Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesTV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesThe Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, “Thx for all the twitter love. I’m [home] recovering & resting.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesThe Up All Night star was declared “100-percent clear” of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty ImagesThe Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesThe Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DisneyEwan McGregor
The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.
Brad Barket/Getty Images for Happy Hearts FundThe singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Grant Lamos IV/Getty ImagesThe Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesThe Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.
Doug Meszler / Splash NewsSurely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he’s braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImageThe Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty ImagesThe 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease when he was only 28. He’s 37 now and looking good!
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesThe ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.
CBSThe America’s Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film FestivalThe Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesThe Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.
Robert Laberge/Getty ImagesThe champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/APThe Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for LA TimesThe former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha!, her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesThe Sex and the City star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and after surgery and radiation treatments, she was given the clear.
Mike FANOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesSamantha Harris
Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesThe Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star sports a scar on her back where doctors successfully removed a melanoma.
