John Stamos marked a bittersweet milestone on Sunday, May 17, sharing an emotional tribute to his former Full House co-star Bob Saget on what would have been the comedian's 70th birthday.
The 62-year-old actor posted a carousel of photographs and video footage to Instagram, offering fans a glimpse into the final moments he shared with Saget before the comedian's death at age 65 in January 2022. The collection concluded with a particularly meaningful image that Stamos labeled simply as "Last pic."
The final photograph captured Saget standing alongside his widow, Kelly Rizzo, Stamos, and Stamos' wife, Caitlin McHugh. The group posed together against a scenic sunset backdrop in front of the ocean, creating what would become a treasured final memory of their time together.
Accompanying the images, Stamos wrote a heartfelt caption that reflected on their tradition of celebrating together. "We used to throw each other great birthday parties," he shared. "Your 70th today would've been epic! I miss you and love you."
Saget died on January 9, 2022, inside the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Orlando, Florida. An autopsy conducted one month later determined the cause of death, with the Saget family releasing a statement to Us Weekly explaining the circumstances. "The authorities have determined that Bob passed from head trauma," the family stated. "They have concluded that he accidentally hit the back of his head on something, thought nothing of it and went to sleep. No drugs or alcohol were involved."
The news devastated Stamos, who expressed his grief publicly on Twitter, now known as X. "I am broken. I am gutted," the actor wrote at the time. "I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby."
The loss reverberated throughout the Full House family. Dave Coulier, 66, shared his own tribute via Instagram, writing, "I'll never let go, brother. Love you." In a subsequent post, Coulier reflected on the depth of their friendship, stating, "I met Bob when I was 18 years old. I didn't know then that two, struggling standup comics would end up being brothers forever. I wish I could lean on you right now through all these tears. I love you."
Candace Cameron Bure, who portrayed D.J. Tanner on the beloved sitcom, also took to Twitter to express her sorrow. "I don't know what to say," she wrote. "I have no words. Bob was one of the best humans [sic] beings I've ever known in my life. I loved him so much."
In July 2024, Stamos revealed how he coped with the profound loss during an appearance on Coulier's "Full House Rewind" podcast. He disclosed an unexpected source of comfort: listening to the audiobook of Saget's 2014 memoir, Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian.
"Do you remember when his book came out? It was very dirty and weird," Stamos told Coulier. "And so for whatever reason, the night [Saget] died, I put on his audio tape and it gave me such comfort. I don't know why. I listened to it every night when I went to sleep."
The tribute serves as a reminder of the enduring bonds formed during the show's original run from 1987 to 1995, and the lasting impact Saget had on those who knew him best. Through his Instagram post, Stamos continues to honor that friendship, ensuring that Saget's memory remains alive in the hearts of fans and loved ones alike.
