How Old Full House’s Main Cast Were Compared To Fuller House
Nearly 30 years after the Tanner family first appeared on television in Full House in 1987, its sequel hit Netflix, showing how much the Fuller House cast and characters had grown up from the original. When it first premiered, Full House was a hit for ABC, introducing one of the most beloved families in sitcom history and launching cast members into stardom. The original series followed a newly-widowed father of three young girls and his attempts to raise them alongside his brother-in-law and their best friend. Fuller House kept the same premise, this time centering around DJ, the oldest of the three Tanner daughters, and her three sons.
As a family show, Full House had cast members of all ages, who, along with the audiences, were able to grow up with the series during its 8 seasons. A new generation was able to do the same when Fuller House premiered in 2016 and ran for 5 seasons, introducing a new cast of young stars while bringing back familiar faces. While not everyone from Full House returned for Fuller House, viewers were able to see most of the main cast and how they had grown, aged, and changed since the late 80s and early 90s when the sitcom was airing.
After a few minor television and movie roles, comedian and actor Bob Saget had his breakthrough with the premiere of Full House when he was 31 years old. In Full House season 1, episode 11, “The Big Three-O,” Danny turns 30, meaning Saget was just a year older than his character. Saget was born on May 17, 1956, while Danny was born in 1957, making the character around the age of 59 and Saget almost 60 when Fuller House season 1 first hit Netflix.
Fuller House ended in June 2020, shortly after Saget’s 64th birthday, with Danny having been around the age of 63. Sadly, Saget died in his sleep not long after on January 9, 2022 at 65 years old due to blunt head trauma. He is remembered for his comedy, playing Danny Tanner in Full House and Fuller House, being the narrator/voice of older Ted in How I Met Your Mother, and as the original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Candace Cameron Bure was born on April 6, 1976, making her 11 when she first began playing 10-year-old D.J. Tanner in Full House. Full House season 3, episode 13, “13 Candles,” which aired on February 9, 1990, saw DJ turning 13, confirming that she was born in 1977. A nearly 40-year-old Cameron Bure took the leading role in Fuller House, with D.J.’s tragedy mirroring that of Danny’s in Full House.Fuller House season 2 dropped at the end of 2016 and featured D.J.’s 39th birthday, keeping the actress and character about one year apart in age.
Stephanie Tanner was 5 years old during Full House season 1, placed perfectly in the middle between her 10-year-old big sister and baby sister. Jodie Sweetin was born on January 19, 1982, making her the same age as her character when Full House premiered on September 22, 1987. In Full House season 5, episode 16, which aired on January 14, 1992, pop singer Tommy Page performed at Stephanie’s 10th birthday party, making her just barely older than Sweetin. When Full House ended in 1995, the character and actress were just 13, and during Fuller House season 1, both Sweetin and Stephanie were 34.
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, famously known as the Olsen twins, were born on June 13, 1986, and were only six months old when they were cast as baby Michelle Tanner in Full House. Though not identical twins, they shared the role of Michelle for 8 seasons to keep the production in compliance with child labor laws. The Olsen twins grew up with Michelle, making them the same age as their character. After 8 years on Full House and spending their whole childhoods acting in their own projects, they left acting behind in adulthood.
In 2006, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launched The Row, a luxury fashion label, and became full-time designers. Due to this, Michelle does not appear in the sequel series, though Mary-Kate almost returned to acting for Fuller House. At the time of Fuller House season 1, the Olsen twins were almost 30, placing Michelle around that age as well.