TV star and comedian Dave Coulier says he is now cancer-free four months after he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to multiple media outlets.
Coulier, 65, co-star of the ABC-TV sitcom “Full House” and a resident of St. Clair Shores, said he was diagnosed in October.
In a statement to USA Today on Tuesday, Coulier confirmed he has recovered.
“I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to family, friends and fans for their continued prayers, love and support throughout my emotional roller coaster ride through cancer,” he said. “I’d like to add that throughout my cancer journey, I’ve become very aware of the ingredients, chemicals and materials that are in our foods, clothing and products that are available to consumers.
“I will continue to encourage others to check in with doctors to get early screenings like breast exams, colonoscopies and prostate exams,” he added.
In the statement, Coulier said he launched a startup company called AWEAR that is designing an entire line of natural and sustainable clothing, foods and personal hygiene products. Distribution begins later this year. He has also been appointed ambassador for the V Foundation for cancer research and Hockey Fights Cancer.
He grew up in St. Clair Shores where he played on youth hockey leagues and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods in 1977 before he began a career in standup comedy. He soon transitioned to doing voice-overs for dozens of shows and cartoons and landed various TV roles, including “Full House” and its sequel “Fuller House.”
Coulier was diagnosed in October after an upper respiratory infection which caused major swelling in his lymph nodes, People magazine reported. The swelling increased rapidly, with one area growing to the size of a golf ball.
Coulier has been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a “highly aggressive” type of cancer that develops in B-lymphocytes, according to the American Cancer Society. B-cell lymphomas account for the vast majority of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Every year, more than 80,000 Americans are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
News of Coulier’s health status was first revealed by the “Full House” alum’s former co-star Candace Cameron Bure on social media Monday. Bure played D.J. Tanner opposite Coulier’s fun-loving Joey Gladstone on the ABC sitcom from 1987-95.
“DAVE IS CANCER FREE!!!!”, Bure wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself with Coulier and his wife, Melissa Coulier. “Join me in celebrating this AMAZING news — let’s shower him with all the love in the world! ❤️❤️❤️”
A representative for Coulier confirmed his cancer status to People magazine.
The news comes after Coulier, 65, opened up about his condition in an interview with Parade published Monday. The comedian told the outlet he had undergone a biopsy for a lymph node in his neck, which came back with “no sign of cancer.” He jokingly added, “One of the few times in my life when ‘zero’ has been a great number to hear.”
Coulier lost his mother and a sister to breast cancer as well as a niece. All were young women when they died.
Coulier’s improved health also means he’ll be able to be a loving grandfather.
According to Parade, the “Full House” alum’s son Luc, who lives in California, welcomed his first child with wife Alex on Thursday. “We’ll be making multiple trips to see that little boy,” Coulier told the outlet.
Dave Coulier was ‘prepared’ to die amid stage 3 cancer treatment
