Hollywood star John Stamos recently took to Instagram to stand in solidarity with his friend and “Full House” co-star Dave Coulier, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Although John — who also gave a shoutout to Dave’s loving wife Melissa Coulier in his post — attempted to show support by rocking a bald look, some netizens found it distasteful.
User comment about John Stamos’s gesture of support, posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: Instagram/people
The “Scream Queens” talent’s Instagram carousel consisted of three images. One showed Dave, who is bald, sitting in the middle of John and Melissa, who both planted kisses on his head while all three looked at the camera.
John Stamos posing for a picture with with Dave and Melissa Coulier, posted on November 19, 2024 | Source: Instagram/johnstamos
Another depicted John shaving the back of Dave’s head with an electric razor, as Dave looked at something outside the camera’s view with a smile on his face.
John Stamos shaving Dave Coulier’s head. | Source: Instagram/johnstamos
The first image captured the two men side-by-side as they posed for the camera. “Nothing like throwing on a bald cap and flexing some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my bro @dcoulier You’re handling this with so much strength and positivity—it’s inspiring,” captioned John alongside the photo carousel.
He continued, “I know you’re going to get through this, and I’m proud to stand with you every step of the way. I love you (p.s. – @melissacoulier is the most wonderfulest – your true life line!) [sic].”
Upon seeing John’s post, which clarified that his bald look is fake, social media users flooded comment sections with their reactions, with some finding fault in the actor’s actions. “So he’s not really supporting him. He’s posing for a photo op,” observed an Instagrammer.
John Stamos and Dave Coulier on an episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Another opined, “Too vain to shave his head…no solidarity there,” which was reiterated by another netizen. Someone else chimed in with, “A bald cap…uh. That’s weird. Shave your head or don’t but don’t act like a bald cap is solidarity.”
John Stamos at the Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine Benefitting The Scleroderma Research Foundation event in Los Angeles, California on October 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Such comments continued, with yet another spectator remarking, “The bald cap almost makes it a mockery. I know that wasn’t his intention, but it would have been better for him to have done nothing:-/.”
John Stamos and Dave Coulier at the Cinespia’s screening of “Some Like It Hot” in Hollywood, California on August 19, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
“So being a cancer patient is a costume now? Virtue signaling at its finest. News flash – you can support someone going through cancer without making a grandiose statement like shaving your head or wearing a bald mask. Also, it’s so insulting to think wearing a costume as a cancer patient equates to support,” added a particularly vehement commenter.
John Stamos spotted outside “Good Morning America” in New York City on July 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
An Instagrammer sarcastically noted, “Wow so big of him to put on a bald cap!” before penning, “That is more of a slap in the face then [sic] a sign of solidarity.”
“This is not solidarity, as a cancer survivor this is insulting. Just shave your head. You’re a man & your hair grows insanely fast. My husband and children shaved their heads with me & I have never felt more supported,” shared a Facebooker.
John Stamos at the premiere of “Inside Out 2” in Los Angeles, California on June 10, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
However, some people supported John’s gesture. “I love this, way to show your love and support, that is what matters in times like this! Laughter is [sic] best medicine 😂I am currently battling cancer myself and I have lost all my hair, I would never expect those going through this journey with me to do the same,” praised a fan.
John Stamos | Source: Getty Images
A fellow admirer complimented, “You look amazing bald,” while another came to John’s defense, explaining, “The hair is a big part of his thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is contractually obligated to keep it as it as [sic] for his work. I’m sure he did his best by his friend.”
John Stamos and Dave Coulier posing for a picture, posted on November 14, 2024 | Source: Instagram/johnstamos
The “Big Shot” actor’s gesture of support follows another post he dedicated to Dave. This Instagram post featured a carousel of photos showing heartwarming memories John and Dave have shared.
Dave Coulier and John Stamos posing with goofy expressions. | Source: Instagram/johnamos
Standout pictures include John Stamos capturing Dave shaving his face in a bathroom and a photo of the two friends posing for the camera with goofy expressions on their faces.
John Stamos taking a photo of Dave Culier shaving. | Source: Instagram/johnamos
Another shows Dave, who looked cozy in a onesie, and John, dressed in a snazzy suit, cuddling as they lay down on a tiny single bed.
John Stamos cuddling with Dave Coulier. | Source: Instagram/johnstamos
“My brother from day 1. Love you @dcoulier and I’ll be by your side through it all,” wrote the supportive friend. John’s caption refers to the cancer battle Dave is currently facing, which he spoke about with broadcaster Hoda Kotb during an episode of “Today.”
In a clip from the interview that was shared on YouTube on November 13, Dave, who still had some of his hair at the time, disclosed, “Five weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and in that time I’ve had three surgeries. I’ve had chemo.”
Dave Coulier discussing his cancer diagnosis with Hoda Kotb on an episode of “Today,” posted on November 13, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Today
He also shared how he started to lose hair, quipping about how he sort of looked like “a little baby bird” before dubbing the ordeal a “rollercoaster ride.”
Hoda then asked about Dave’s prognosis, to which he responded, “Well, this is B-cell lymphoma that I have. It’s a very aggressive type of lymphoma, and it happened very quickly. The onset of this growing lymphoma in my groin area was very quick.”
Dave Coulier | Source: YouTube/Today
Dave divulged how alarm bells went off when he discovered the growth, which he said was the size of a golf ball that grew within about five days.
“So, we biopsied it, we took it out, and they said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have B-cell lymphoma. We need to get you into chemotherapy right away,'” shared the “Fuller House” star.
Dave Coulier | Source: YouTube/Today
He said he then informed his wife, Melissa, who initially thought her husband had to be joking. As if the cancer news wasn’t enough, Dave said he still had to go in for a bone marrow procedure that would determine which stage he was in.
However, doctors informed him that, luckily, his cancer hadn’t spread, which increased the curability rate to 90% or higher, making Dave’s type of cancer “very treatable.”
Before doctors determined that the growth in Dave’s groin area was cancer, he said that he had undergone various tests like bloodwork, PET, and CT scans, which highlighted “two hotspots” in his body (his groin and neck).
Dave Coulier spotted out in Manhattan, New York on July 11, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
At the time the interview was conducted, Dave had undergone one round of chemotherapy and said he had another scheduled for that same week. An additional topic discussed during the interview included how Dave navigates his busy schedule amid his cancer.
“You know, I’m still really, really busy with life stuff. So, when I have to rest, I listen to my body, and when I need to step on the gas pedal, I do that,” clarified Dave.
It was also revealed that Dave’s doctors confirmed he should be done with chemotherapy by February next year (2025). “Should be total remission by that time, which, you know, fingers crossed […] I’m treating this as a journey,” mentioned the determined actor.
Dave Coulier on an episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” on June 7, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Dave also emphasized his hope to encourage people to get screened and examined for early detection, which plays a crucial part in being able to treat cancer. Hoda then veered the conversation toward Dave’s “other half,” Melissa.
“She has been so incredible from when we first got the news. The timing of this is incredible as well because about a year ago, Melissa and Melanie Samuels started a wellness company that’s all about a holistic approach to wellness […] and so, my refrigerator at home has color-coded foods and nutritions [sic],” revealed Dave.
He also joked about having an “old man plastic pill” case that stores all his medications. “She has been there every step of the way, and she’s been incredible,” gushed the husband who chooses to remain strong and optimistic about life despite his health challenges.
As Dave Coulier battles his cancer, he’s found a lot of support and solace in his producer wife, with whom he has built a strong relationship over the years.
Before becoming each other’s biggest support system, Dave and Melissa shared a strong friendship that began nearly a decade before they tied the knot.
Their story started in Montana during a guys’ trip. Dave was sitting at a booth telling a story when he accidentally tripped Melissa as she walked by. Instead of being upset, she laughed it off, and the two hit it off instantly, marking the beginning of a close friendship.
Although their bond grew strong, Dave was initially reluctant about marriage. “When I first met her, I said, ‘Look, I don’t think I’m marriage material,'” he admitted in an interview. Melissa never pressured him, allowing their relationship to develop naturally.
Dave Coulier at an event in Hollywood, California on August 5, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
By June 2014, the couple announced their engagement, and Dave expressed his joy, “I get to marry my best friend.” He also gushed about feeling like “the luckiest man on the planet.”
The wedding took place on July 2, 2014, at O’Hair Ranch Lodge in Paradise Valley, Montana. The event was intimate and low-key, with Melissa handling most of the planning herself.
From handmade gift bags for the guests to detailed activity pamphlets, Melissa’s personal touches were evident throughout the celebration. Dave’s son, Luc Coulier, served as his best man.
The couple exchanged non-traditional rings, with Dave opting for a black titanium band and Melissa wearing a piece from XIV Karats. They also chose to skip traditional wedding vows, instead keeping the ceremony short and sweet.
“It was probably six minutes,” Dave recalled with a smile. The couple kept things light and playful. Before the ceremony, Dave caught a glimpse of a dolled-up Melissa and hesitantly asked, “Am I allowed to be seeing you right now?”
With a laugh, she responded, “Yeah, let’s have a beer!” It was a fitting moment for the laid-back pair whose easygoing friendship had been at the core of their relationship from the start. This bond has helped them face life’s toughest challenges together over the years.
Melissa has proven to be more than just a loving wife and friend. She’s been an unshakeable pillar of strength for Dave during his most challenging times. Years back, Dave faced a battle with alcohol addiction.
In a candid post from March 2020, the actor opened up about his struggle, “I was a drunk. Yes, an alcoholic.” He credited Melissa for standing by his side throughout the journey, offering unwavering support as he fought to regain control of his life.
“The mental and physical withdrawal were big challenges for me,” he shared, “but I was supported by @melissacoulier and friends who had already made the journey.”
This is mirrored in how she immediately stepped into action upon learning his cancer diagnosis. Dave described how she “organized [his] entire life,” handling everything from medical appointments and pills to nutrition plans.
Aside from noting her meticulous color-coding system, Dave acknowledged that her proactive involvement brought a sense of order and calm during an overwhelming time.
Dave’s friends and former “Full House” co-stars have also acknowledged Melissa’s vital role in his care. They’ve expressed their admiration, telling him, “You’re in great hands with Mel.”
Dave couldn’t agree more. In one of his social media posts, he wrote, “She’s the rock of our family. Everyone loves her so much.” Her unwavering dedication has brought a sense of stability and comfort, even during the most uncertain moments of his health journey.
While the diagnosis was a shock, having Melissa by his side gave him the strength and confidence to face the road ahead. Her efforts have gone beyond typical caregiving, blending her expertise in wellness with a deep commitment to his well-being.