Dave Coulier Revealed Cancer Diagnosis to "Full House" Cast in Group Text: 'Didn't Want Them to Hear It from Someone Else' (Exclusive)

11/13/2024 05:00 PM

The actor tells PEOPLE how he told his 'Full House' castmates that he has stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Dave Coulier has the support of his Full House family amid his cancer diagnosis. 

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor, 65, reveals he first learned he had stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 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 of his wife Melissa Bring and son Luc amid his cancer journey, he has also been leaning on his Full House costars. 

Related: Dave Coulier Reveals He Has Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: 'I'm Going to Be Strong Throughout This' (Exclusive)

Coulier tells PEOPLE that he first revealed the news to his castmates in a group message, which included John Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, Scott Weinger and series creator Jeff 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." 

The past few years have been very emotional for the cast, especially following the death of the show's patriarch Bob 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." 

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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. 

"He goes, 'If you want to just sleep, I'll just sit by you or if you want to listen to music or just talk, whatever.' And I'm just like, 'Wow. That's like a brother. That's just truly a brother.'" 

Coulier further opens up about his diagnosis on his Full House Rewind podcast, 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 watched Full 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." 

Related: The 'Full House' Cast Could Not Be Closer: Some of Their Most Memorable Reunions Through the Years

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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."