Dave Coulier has reflected on having led an “incredible life” thus far. Though he’s recently been diagnosed with cancer, a disease that has already claimed some of his loved ones and currently affects his sibling, the star remains optimistic about what life has to offer.
Dave Coulier rose to fame as a beloved character on the iconic 1980s sitcom “Full House.” Now, many years after the show’s end, the 65-year-old faces a serious health battle even as he prepares for the joy of becoming a grandparent.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1987 | Source: Getty Images
As Dave navigates the challenges of his health and anticipates the joys of grandparenthood, he once reflected on a passion that had grounded him for decades: aviation.
Long before his career in entertainment, the actor was captivated by flying, a fascination that began at a young age.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1987 | Source: Getty Images
He recalled in a March 2012 interview, “My dad had a friend who flew a Cessna 180 at a small uncontrolled field near our home in St. Clair Shores, Mich. When I was just five years old, my father took me along. That first flight on a cold winter day got me hooked on aviation for a lifetime.”
This early love led him to earn his private pilot’s license as a teenager. When asked about his decision to pursue piloting in another interview, Dave credited his father.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1988 | Source: Getty Images
“When I was a kid, he would take me flying and to air shows, and buy me model airplanes to build. So when I was 17 I’d saved enough money to start flight training.” said the Hollywood star. By then, his commitment had come full circle, and he obtained his license at McKinley Airport, the very place of his first flight with his dad.
Dave’s passion for flying even wove its way into his work life later on. At one point, he decided to skip the notorious Los Angeles traffic by flying his plane from Santa Monica to the “Full House” set in Burbank. He recounted, “It took 12 minutes. […] But when the studio heard about it, that was the last time.”
Known for his role as Joey Gladstone, Dave starred in the beloved series from 1987 to 1995. Reflecting on its lasting legacy in a 2020 interview, he shared, “‘Full House’ has never been off the air since 1987 and we’ve aired in over 100 countries. It is also streaming, so it’s hard to get away from.”
He added, “I’ve never wanted to get away from ‘Full House.’ I adore the show.” This affection brought him back as Uncle Joey in the reboot “Fuller House,” which concluded its five-season run on Netflix in 2019. Looking back on the experience, Dave remarked, “They say you can’t go home again, but we got to go back home.”
The television star’s love for “Full House” extended beyond the screen. He has built lifelong friendships with castmates like Bob Saget and John Stamos, who were present when he wed photographer Melissa Bring in Monata in 2014.
The intimate wedding saw Dave’s son, Luc Coulier, who is also a pilot, stand as his best man. Melissa handled most of the wedding details, from handmade gift bags to activity guides.
The couple kept the ceremony short. “It was probably six minutes,” Dave recalled, wanting to have enough time with family and friends. This included Bob and John, with whom he shed “tears of joy” after the ceremony.
Dave’s wife, Melissa, often captures the attention of her social media followers with her vibrant posts, drawing plenty of admiration. In January 2022, she shared a video that had one fan saying, “You Are Truly AMAZING.”
By May 2024, Melissa posted another clip featuring a series of outfit changes, sparking more compliments. One follower wrote, “You can make a trash bag look good. Miss you,” while another added, “You’re the cutest.”
In June, she continued to charm her audience with a cheerful snapshot, sitting and smiling warmly, and prompting one admirer to comment, “Lovely smile.”
Just as Melissa’s posts light up social media, Dave’s son has also become a favorite with followers. In September 2022, Dave shared a photo of them dressed in suits and smiling at the camera.
The picture drew a wave of praise, with one person commenting, “Great picture of a father and son,” while another remarked, “Luc looks just like you.” Another echoed the sentiment, “So handsome like you Dave.”
Beyond the heartwarming father-son moments shared online, Dave has even more to look forward to as Luc and his wife, Alex, are expecting their first child. The baby is due in March 2025.
But amid this joy of anticipating his first grandchild, Dave had difficult news to share on the “Today” show recently. According to the actor, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, in October 2024.
His first sign was an unusually large lump in his groin that appeared after a cold, prompting him to think, “I’m either really sick, or my body’s really reacting to something.”
After extensive testing, initial results looked normal, but a biopsy confirmed he had B-cell lymphoma, which is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While he described the news as “a shock,” Dave remains determined to find joy in life.
Set on staying optimistic, the veteran actor is focusing on strength and resilience for his loved ones, especially his wife, Melissa, and his son, Luc.
Reflecting on the impact of his diagnosis, he said, “I looked at how those words affected [Melissa] and I thought, you know what, I’m going to be strong throughout this, not just for me, but I’m going to be strong for her.”
Finding strength in the bravery of family members who faced cancer, including his late mother, sister, and niece, Dave is inspired to stay strong. Now, with his sister Karen undergoing cancer treatment as well, he relies on her support and humor.
He shared, “In four short weeks I’ve gone from a Virgo to a Cancer,” adding with a laugh, “I’m a huge hockey fan. So when they said ‘You’ve got NHL,’ I thought, ‘I finally made it to the NHL.'”
Dave experiences both tough and uplifting days, balancing moments of nausea with bursts of energy. On a good day, he enjoys skating with friends, appreciating the chance to focus on what he loves.
With his first grandson on the way, he’s especially excited, saying, “I’ve got to teach him how to play hockey. There’s a lot to look forward to.”
Through both the challenges and joys, Dave Coulier remains focused on living each day with strength and gratitude. With family by his side and a grandchild on the way, he continues to look forward with optimism and hope.
