Dave Coulier defends John Stamos over bald cap cancer backlash: ‘This is how we are handling a very tough time’
Dave Coulier is sticking up for his pal John Stamos.
Coulier, 65, spoke out on social media Tuesday in defense of his former “Full House” co-star, who is receiving backlash for wearing a bald cap as a way of supporting Coulier amid his stage 3 cancer battle.
“I’m sorry to see a bunch of negative comments as I’ve just begun my cancer journey,” Coulier wrote in an Instagram statement.
“It’s our friendship (me and John) and this is how we are handling a very tough time,” the actor continued. “I’m a comedian and humor is what drives me. John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap — being a true loving friend and brother.”
Coulier, who has stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, went on, “I’ve heard from so many people who have been inspired enough by my words and actions to say that they are going to check in with their doctors and get mammograms, a colonoscopy or a prostate exam. I’m still laughing in the face of adversity.”
“I lost my sister, Sharon, my mother, Arlen and my niece, Shannon to cancer, we tried to stay positive, and we made each other laugh through the worst of it,” he explained. “So, I’m choosing to spread the word about early cancer detective to help people. That’s just who I am.”
“I wish nothing but love for all of you,” Coulier concluded his message.
One week after Coulier announced his cancer diagnosis, Stamos posted an Instagram where he showed off his bald cap and Coulier’s shaved head. Stamos said he put on the bald cap and Photoshopped himself to show “solidarity” with Coulier.
However, Stamos’ well-intentioned post sparked negative comments from fans online.
“Seriously just couldn’t shave your head bro ?? lol,” one person wrote in Stamos’ Instagram comments.
“Is this really appropriate? A bald cap is showing solidarity? You can just take your cap off and be ‘normal’ again,” another follower said.
A third person told Stamos wearing the bald cap was “a shallow gesture.”
Stamos and Coulier have been close friends since the 1980s, when they began their roles as Uncle Jesse and Uncle Joey, respectively, on “Full House.”
When Coulier publicly announced he had cancer, Stamos immediately showed support for his longtime pal on Instagram.
“My brother from day 1. Love you @dcoulier and I’ll be by your side through it all,” Stamos wrote alongside various photos of the pair from over the years.
Coulier confirmed last Wednesday that he’s undergoing chemo for his “very aggressive form of cancer.” He said he learned of his diagnosis five weeks ago after suffering a bad cold and noticing swelling in his groin area.
In an interview with People, Coulier revealed that he told his “Full House” castmates — including Stamos, Jodie Sweetin, Lori Loughlin, Candace Cameron Bure and Andrea Barber — about his diagnosis before he shared it publicly.
“I didn’t want them to hear it from someone else, so I sent a text message out,” he said, noting that he got an “immediate” response from everyone who showed him “overwhelming” support.
