LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Stamos, the beloved actor known for his role as Uncle Jesse in the iconic television series 'Full House', has recently released his memoir 'If You Would Have Told Me', offering readers a fascinating glimpse into his life both in front of and behind the cameras.
In the tell-all book, Stamos shares some truly surprising revelations. Here are the eight biggest bombshells from Stamos' memoir.
Bob Saget's death inspired John Stamos' memoir
One of the most emotional chapters of Stamos' memoir is his heartfelt tribute to his dear friend and co-star, Bob Saget. The 'Secrets of Eden' star shared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' that it was Saget's untimely passing that spurred him to put pen to paper.
His book reflects the treasured memories of their friendship and the grief he experienced upon learning of Saget's death. "It's got to be pretty tough to write a memoir in some way. -I didn't -- I didn't -- I never thought I'd write a book. It was the last thing on my mind. And, you know, they just kept asking. And then I was a father at 55," the actor penned. "And then, you know, Bob Saget died. And so I thought, well, maybe I do have something to say. And so I started writing it. And as I was writing it, I discovered my story."
John Stamos' initial dislike of the Olsen Twins
In a surprising revelation, Stamos confessed that he wasn't initially fond of the Olsen twins, who played Michelle on 'Full House'. In fact, he attempted to have them removed from the show when they were only 11 months old after making an ultimatum with the show's creator, “It’s either me or them. They’re not going to work out. They’ll ruin this show and my career.”
Consequently, an alternative pair of twins was introduced to the series, characterized as "quiet, calm, and homely as hell." However, Stamos soon reconsidered his ultimatum, going as far as to request the Olsen twins' return.
His relationship with Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen took an unexpected turn, and he eventually formed a deep bond with them, even commending their acting prowess. “Mary-Kate is stronger in the emotional scenes, Ashley scores in the comedic ones,” he said.
John Stamos' complex on-screen relationship with Bob Saget
Furthermore, Stamos disclosed that Saget, his late co-star, held a sense of envy regarding his on-screen connection with the Olsen twins and Dave Coulier. Stamos even expressed reservations about Saget's suitability for the role of the patriarch, Danny Tanner, given his stand-up comedy background.
“Bob is the humblest egomaniac I’ve ever met, but he undercuts his narcissism by being so damn lovable. A walking contradiction, he makes up for his self-inflicted insecurity by being a self-inflicted aggrandizer,” he claimed. “I know Bob is wickedly talented. I just don’t tell it to his face at this point. But If I want to learn anything about comedy, I need to study Bob . . . Bob and I tolerate each other and attempt to avoid interfering with each other’s creative processes, though it can be challenging.”
John Stamos was sexually abused by his babysitter
In a deeply emotional revelation, Stamos disclosed that when he was approximately 10 or 11 years old, he experienced sexual abuse at the hands of his babysitter, who was around 18 or 19 years old at the time.
He shared that this female babysitter allegedly took advantage of him, and at the time, he did not confide in anyone about the experience, attempting to dismiss it as something normal.
He explained, "I think I told myself, like, 'Ah, it's girls, man.' It was like you're playing dead so they'll stop. But it wasn't totally aggressive," adding, "I don't know, it was not a good situation." Stamos acknowledged that he always had an underlying sense that something was amiss but he “packed it away as people do."
John Stamos' near-miss encounter with Scientology
In an intriguing episode, Stamos recalled his brief brush with the Church of Scientology in the 1980s. His former acting teacher's assistant handed him Scientology books and encouraged him to visit the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood.
Stamos' experience at the Celebrity Centre was, however, unsettling. He described it as "grand, ornate, and creepy as f–k — a cross between Chateau Marmont, Disney’s Haunted Mansion, and a mental hospital."
Furthermore, he recounted his "auditing" session taking a peculiar turn when the Scientology practitioner questioned him about "committing crimes.. if I have negative thoughts about Scientology or L Ron Hubbard and probes into some strange sex inquiries.” “Apparently, I’m not Scientology material. Darn it,” Stamos joked.
John Stamos' attempt to quit 'Full House'
Before embarking on the iconic character of Uncle Jesse, known for his lady's man charm, Stamos was cast as Uncle Adam. Dissatisfied with the role, he attempted to quit the show after a lackluster table reading during the first season.
This particular reading required the cast "to gather around a baby’s crib and sing the theme song to ‘The Flintstones.’ By the time we get to ‘Have a Yabba-Dabba-Doo Time,’ I’m having a Yabba-Dabba-Don’t Time."
"The reading ends, thank God, and I head to the lobby as fast as I can, avoiding everyone babbling how great the reading went. Stamos then confided in his agent and requested, "Get me the f**k off this show!" Fortunately, the series found its audience and went on to become a cultural classic.
John Stamos walked in on his then-girlfriend Teri Copley in bed with Tony Danza
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping revelation in Stamos' memoir was the moment he discovered his then-girlfriend, Teri Copley, in bed with Tony Danza. This shocking incident transpired approximately a year into their relationship, as Stamos began noticing significant shifts in their dynamic.
"I call her from the road, but the girl who breathlessly picked up the phone after one ring is now giving me busy signals and dial tones," Stamos penned. Growing increasingly concerned, Stamos learned that Copley's ex-husband, Chip Mayer, was in town for the weekend. Fearing the worst, he hurried to her Valley residence, only to find it shrouded in darkness. A vintage 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster parked in her driveway piqued his curiosity, prompting him to investigate further.
Stamos recounted the heartbreaking moment when his world seemed to crumble, "There's a hairbrush, keys, boxing gloves, and a half-unrolled poster of my girlfriend, naked, barely covered by a white sheet. Half of her butt is showing. I've never seen this poster before."
The house was locked, but he remembered the guesthouse where they occasionally spent the night. There, Stamos was met with a heart-wrenching sight. "My Tiny Dancer was in bed with Mr. Porsche Speedster. They lay there sleeping, and though I couldn't identify him, I recognized Teri's silhouette barely covered by the sheets. It looks like her new poster," he wrote.
Overwhelmed by the betrayal, Stamos reflected on the moment with a heavy heart, admitting, "I try to hold back tears. Time slows until I'm frozen. I can't breathe. A few tears roll down my face, and it pisses me off. They snap me out of my daze, and I feel angry and confused."
Uncertain about how to deal with the situation, Stamos chose to exit without a confrontation, leaving with a poster bearing the words, "My Dearest Tony, I will love you forever. XO, Teri." This left him pondering, "Tony? Who the hell is Tony?" It wasn't until he was driving back home, with the melodies of Elton John's music filling the car, that Stamos had an epiphany regarding the identity of his romantic rival.
John Stamos was warned he would never work after leaving 'General Hospital'
Stamos' decision to leave 'General Hospital' after a decade on the soap opera was met with a dire warning from the show's producer, Gloria Monty. “You know, if you leave, dear, you’ll never work in this town again," she said. Stamos defied this prophecy and embarked on the journey that would lead to his role in the superhit 'Full House'.
