Bob Saget is being remembered by his TV family following his untimely passing.
Saget, at age 65, was found unresponsive on Sunday in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida, and pronounced dead on the scene, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. Detectives have found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case, and the Orange County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
The actor and comedian was mourned by the comedy world, with many of his Hollywood peers expressing shock and sadness. Among them were his former cast, who shared a joint statement to social media on Monday.
“Thirty-five years ago, we came together as a TV family, but we became a real family. And now we grieve as a family,” read the statement, which was signed by John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron-Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, Andrea Barber, Scott Weinger, creator Jeff Franklin, and Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen.
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The stand-up comedian rose to worldwide fame after stepping into the iconic role of Danny Tanner on Full House when the beloved ABC family sitcom ran from 1987-95. He later reprised his role as the wholesome Tanner family patriarch when Netflix rebooted the series with Fuller House, which ran for four seasons and wrapped in 2020. The series reunited most of the cast, including Tanner, who returned in a recurring role.
“Bob made us laugh until we cried. Now our tears flow in sadness, but also with gratitude for all the beautiful memories of our sweet, kind, hilarious, cherished Bob,” continued the cast tribute. “He was a brother to us guys, a father to us girls and a friend to all of us. Bob, we love you dearly. We ask in Bob’s honor, hug the people you love. No one gave better hugs than Bob.”
His co-stars also shared their own tributes upon hearing the news.
John Stamos, Saget’s friend and co-star who played Uncle Jesse, Danny’s brother-in-law, took to Twitter to say he was in “utter shock” on Sunday night. “I am broken. I am gutted,” he wrote. “I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby.”
I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby.
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) January 10, 2022
Bure, who played Saget’s oldest onscreen daughter, D.J. Tanner, was similarly at a loss for words. “Bob was one of the best human beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much,” she wrote, in part, while sharing a series of photos.
I don’t know what to say 💔. I have no words. Bob was one of the best humans beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much.
— Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) January 10, 2022
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who split the role of youngest daughter Michelle Tanner in the original show, said in a statement sent to THR: “Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has. We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences.”
Sweetin, who played middle daughter Stephanie Tanner, wrote a lengthy tribute sharing anecdotes of her years growing up with Saget as her TV father. “I would always say ‘you’re the best TV dad ever.’ And he was,” she said to end her post, with a nod to Michelle Tanner’s famous line. “I’ll miss you, Bob. I’ll make sure and tell an inappropriate joke at your funeral. In your honor. I know you would’ve wanted that. But you were supposed to be here longer… How Rude.”
Loughlin, who played Jesse’s wife and aunt to the girls, Rebecca, said in a statement to THR: “Words cannot begin to express how devastated I am. Bob was more than my friend, he was my family. I will miss his kind heart and quick wit. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful memories and laughter. I love you Bobby.”
Coulier, who played Danny’s friend Joey Gladstone, posted a photo of the pair holding hands. “I’ll never let go, brother. Love you,” he wrote.
Barber, who played neighbor Kimmy Gibbler, also referenced Saget’s affection. She wrote, in part, “He had the biggest heart of anyone in Hollywood. He gave the biggest hugs. I am gutted that I will never be able to hug him again. Bob ended every text, every interaction with ‘Love you.’ Didn’t matter how long or short we’d been apart. He loved so deeply and so fiercely. And he never hesitated to tell you just how much you meant to him.”
And Weinger, who played D.J.’s high school sweetheart Steve, encouraged donations in Saget’s memory to Scleroderma Research Foundation, the disease that took his sister and a cause in which he was an active supporter. “Bob Saget was more than a friend. He was a big brother to me. Nobody ever made me laugh harder, the kind of laughter where your ribs are sore the next day,” he wrote.
Saget, born Robert Lane Saget in Philadelphia, was also the longtime host for America’s Funniest Home Videos and was currently on a comedy tour. To a later generation of sitcom fans, he was known for being the voice of the adult Ted Mosby on CBS’ long-running How I Met Your Mother. Amid his huge success on television, Saget remained one of the biggest names in stand-up comedy and was famous for his notorious version of the Aristocrats joke, which helped to shed his wholesome TV dad persona for raunchy onstage routines and reveal his comedy legacy.
He is survived by his wife, TV host Kelly Rizzo, and his daughters — Aubrey, Lara Melanie and Jennifer Belle — he shared with his first wife, Sherri Kramer.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, Bob Saget, who will always be a member of the ABC family,” ABC Entertainment said in a statement. “Whether playing a loving father on Full House or hosting the early years of America’s Funniest Home Videos with his signature wit and charm, Bob always knew how to connect with families through heart and humor. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn the passing of such an incredibly gifted comedian and talent.”
Warner Bros. TV, producers of both Full House and Fuller House, added in a statement, “Bob was a father figure to many worldwide in his role as Danny Tanner on Full House. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.”
This story was originally published at 5:40 a.m.
