To millions of fans around the world, Bob Saget was Danny Tanner—the lovable, neat-freak dad on Full House. He was the man who delivered life lessons with a warm smile and a heartfelt hug. But outside the Tanner home, Bob Saget was something else entirely: a sharp, often raunchy stand-up comedian, a respected director, and a deeply compassionate human being. His life was full of contrasts, and that’s exactly what made him unforgettable.
Early Life and The Comedy Bug
Robert Lane Saget was born on May 17, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The son of a supermarket executive and a hospital administrator, Bob was raised in a Jewish household and spent part of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to Philly.
From an early age, Bob showed signs of creative talent. He initially planned to become a doctor, but a high school English teacher recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue the arts. He later enrolled in Temple University’s film school, where he won awards for his student films and honed his comedic sensibilities.
After graduating, Bob moved to Los Angeles to pursue stand-up comedy and acting. He struggled for years, performing in comedy clubs and working odd jobs. But his darkly clever, adult-oriented humor began to attract attention in the underground comedy scene.
Full House: America’s Cleanest Dad
In 1987, Saget was cast as Danny Tanner in Full House—a role that would define his public image. Danny was a recently widowed father of three young girls, and the show followed his unconventional parenting journey with help from his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier).
Danny was known for his obsessive cleaning habits, cheesy dad jokes, and tear-jerking emotional monologues. For many viewers, Danny Tanner became the ideal TV dad—gentle, reliable, loving, and always available with a shoulder to cry on.
The irony? Bob Saget’s real-life sense of humor was the complete opposite.
The Two Sides of Bob Saget
While Full House portrayed Saget as a squeaky-clean father figure, his stand-up act was anything but G-rated. He was known for being one of the dirtiest comedians in Hollywood, using dark, irreverent, and often explicit humor in his live shows.
This contrast confused—and intrigued—many fans. But for Bob, it wasn’t about contradiction; it was about versatility. He was an actor playing a role on TV, and a comedian expressing himself on stage.
In fact, this duality became part of his brand. His 2007 stand-up special That Ain’t Right leaned into his reputation as the “filthiest TV dad alive,” while lovingly poking fun at Full House and his squeaky-clean image.
Saget often said that the Danny Tanner character was inspired by his own father, who had a similarly twisted sense of humor behind a respectable exterior.
More Than Full House: Expanding His Career
Bob Saget didn’t just stop at Full House. In 1989, he became the original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, where he narrated home clips with silly voices and over-the-top reactions. This gig lasted until 1997 and made him a Sunday-night staple in millions of American homes.
He also dabbled in directing and filmmaking. In 1998, he directed the cult favorite Dirty Work, starring Norm Macdonald and Artie Lange. Though it flopped at the box office, the film later gained a strong following.
Saget also lent his voice to the narrator role in How I Met Your Mother, where he played the older version of Ted Mosby. His voice guided the entire series, which became a defining sitcom of the 2000s.
Personal Struggles and Tragedy
Bob’s life wasn’t all laughter and success. He faced tremendous personal loss, especially with the deaths of his sisters. One of them, Gay Saget, died from scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. Her death deeply affected Bob and became a driving force behind his later philanthropy.
He became a board member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation, raising millions of dollars and using his celebrity to bring attention to the disease. His efforts were deeply personal and continued for decades.
In interviews, Bob often revealed that behind the comedy was a man shaped by grief. Comedy, he said, was his way of processing life’s most painful moments.
Fuller House and a Warm Homecoming
In 2016, Bob returned to the role of Danny Tanner in the Netflix reboot Fuller House. Though his appearances were more limited than the original series, he brought the same heartfelt energy to the character.
Saget was proud of the reboot and thrilled to reunite with his former co-stars. He often expressed gratitude for the chance to revisit the Tanner family and reconnect with the fanbase.
Friendship and Love: Bob Offscreen
Bob Saget was known as one of the kindest and most genuine people in the industry. His friendships were deep and lasting—especially with his Full House co-stars. His bond with John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, and Jodie Sweetin was real and enduring.
He was married twice—first to Sherri Kramer, with whom he had three daughters: Lara, Aubrey, and Jennifer. In 2018, he married Kelly Rizzo, a travel and food blogger, and the two frequently appeared together at events and on social media.
Saget’s Instagram was filled with posts of his family, dogs, charity work, and jokes—often crude, always funny, and undeniably sincere.
A Sudden Goodbye
On January 9, 2022, Bob Saget passed away unexpectedly at age 65 while on tour in Florida. The news shocked fans around the world. His death was ruled as an accidental head injury, with no drugs or foul play involved.
Tributes poured in from celebrities, comedians, friends, and fans alike. John Stamos called him “my brother” and “the sweetest man alive.” Candace Cameron Bure called him “forever family.” Jimmy Kimmel, Jim Carrey, and many others delivered tearful tributes.
It was clear that Bob’s kindness touched everyone he met.
A Legacy of Laughter and Love
Bob Saget’s legacy is far bigger than any single role. He broke stereotypes by being both a wholesome dad on television and a boundary-pushing comic on stage. He used his platform to raise awareness for diseases, support young comedians, and comfort grieving families.
Despite the contrasts in his life, there was one constant: Bob Saget cared. He cared about laughter. He cared about his friends. He cared about helping others. And he cared about staying real—even if that meant being messy, complicated, and a little filthy.
FAQs About Bob Saget
Q1: Was Bob Saget really like Danny Tanner in real life?
A: In some ways, yes—he was kind, thoughtful, and deeply caring. But his sense of humor was much darker and more adult-oriented than the character he played.
Q2: Why was his stand-up comedy so different from his TV roles?
A: Bob always said that acting and stand-up were different outlets. Full House was a scripted show; comedy was his personal expression and way of processing life’s pain.
Q3: What was his cause of death?
A: He died from accidental head trauma. Authorities believe he hit his head, went to sleep, and never woke up. No foul play or drugs were involved.
Q4: Did Bob Saget have children?
A: Yes, he had three daughters—Lara, Aubrey, and Jennifer—with his first wife, Sherri Kramer.
Q5: What is his most important charity work?
A: He worked extensively with the Scleroderma Research Foundation, raising awareness and funds after losing his sister to the disease.
Q6: Was he close to the Full House cast in real life?
A: Yes, incredibly close. They considered each other family and frequently supported each other during major life events.
Final Thoughts
Bob Saget was not just a comedian or a sitcom star—he was a complex, compassionate, and endlessly talented man. His life reminds us that we don’t have to fit into one box. We can be funny and serious, irreverent and kind, messy and deeply loving—all at once.
To the world, he was Danny Tanner. To the comedy scene, he was a fearless performer. To his family and friends, he was simply Bob—and that was more than enough.
