Every iconic TV show has behind-the-scenes drama—but few stories are as jaw-dropping as the one involving Full House, John Stamos, and the Olsen twins. Before Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen became household names, they were almost gone from the Tanner family forever. Why? Because, at just 11 months old, they wouldn’t stop crying.
The Day It All Went Down
In the late 1980s, Full House was just beginning production. The show’s pilot episode had everything—a heartfelt concept, a charming cast, and one major problem: the baby actors.
John Stamos, who played the cool and lovable Uncle Jesse, later revealed that during filming, the baby twins—Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen—cried uncontrollably on set. Exhausted and frustrated, he told the producers, “Get rid of them.”
That moment could have changed TV history forever.
Meet the Tiny Stars: The Olsen Twins at 11 Months Old
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were barely a year old when they were cast as Michelle Tanner. The decision to hire twins wasn’t random—child labor laws restricted how long infants could be on camera. Using twins allowed production to film longer without violating rules.
But that double casting came with double the chaos. Two babies, one role, and a very noisy set.
John Stamos’s Honest Confession
“They Were Crying, and It Wasn’t Working”
Decades later, Stamos opened up about that infamous day on the Good Guys podcast. He recalled trying to film a scene where Uncle Jesse was supposed to change Michelle’s diaper. The problem? The babies were screaming so loudly that nobody could even hear the dialogue.
“I couldn’t deal with it,” Stamos admitted. “I said, ‘This is not gonna work. Get rid of them.’”
It wasn’t personal—he was just overwhelmed. Still, the words stuck, and for a brief time, the Olsen twins were fired.
The Temporary Replacement
After Stamos’s complaint, the production actually replaced the twins. Two new babies were brought in to take over the role of Michelle Tanner.
But as soon as filming resumed, something felt… off.
The chemistry wasn’t the same. The new babies didn’t have the same spark on camera. The producers quickly realized they had made a mistake. Within days, the Olsen twins were brought back—and the rest, as they say, is sitcom history.
How the Olsen Twins Won Everyone Over
The Silent Charm of Two Tiny Stars
Despite the rocky start, Mary-Kate and Ashley grew into their roles naturally. They had that rare mix of innocence, humor, and screen presence that drew audiences in. As they grew older, their comedic timing and adorable one-liners became a central part of the show’s heart.
Fans Couldn’t Get Enough of Michelle Tanner
By the early 1990s, Michelle Tanner had become the breakout character. Her catchphrases—“You got it, dude!” and “No way, José!”—were repeated in playgrounds across America.
It’s wild to think that the same babies who almost got fired became the faces of one of television’s most beloved characters.
John Stamos Later Admitted His Regret
Years later, Stamos looked back on that day with a laugh—and a bit of guilt.
“I couldn’t imagine Full House without the Olsens,” he said. “They brought so much magic to the show.”
It’s easy to understand why Stamos, a young actor under pressure, lost his patience with two crying infants. But he’s the first to admit that the Olsen twins turned out to be an essential piece of Full House’s charm and success.
Behind-the-Scenes Struggles on a Family Set
Working with Babies on Set Wasn’t Easy
Babies don’t follow call sheets or cues. They cry, they nap, and sometimes, they just refuse to perform. The Full House crew had to build their shooting schedule around the twins’ moods.
Scenes were filmed quickly, and when one twin got cranky, the other would be swapped in. It was chaos, but it worked.
A Tight-Knit Cast That Grew Together
Despite the early hiccups, Stamos developed a close bond with the Olsen twins. They were like family to him. Over the years, he became a loving “Uncle Jesse” both on-screen and off, attending their birthdays and watching them grow into fashion moguls.
The Olsen Twins’ Meteoric Rise
From Full House to Global Fame
After Full House, Mary-Kate and Ashley became international sensations. Their faces were on VHS covers, lunchboxes, dolls, and even perfume bottles. They starred in movies like It Takes Two and Passport to Paris and built an empire that would eventually lead to their billion-dollar fashion brand, The Row.
Elizabeth Olsen: The Quiet Observer
Ironically, their younger sister, Elizabeth Olsen—now known worldwide as Marvel’s Scarlet Witch—was just a baby during their Full House years. She once admitted she grew up watching her sisters’ fame with curiosity but wanted to carve out her own acting path.
“Get Rid of Them” Becomes an Iconic Hollywood Anecdote
Today, John Stamos’s comment is more of a funny Hollywood story than a scandal. Fans laugh about it, and even Stamos himself jokes about how close he came to rewriting TV history.
The irony? The very babies he almost “got rid of” turned Full House into a cultural phenomenon.
Why This Story Still Fascinates Fans
A Peek Behind the Curtain
People love seeing the human side of Hollywood. The story of Stamos and the Olsen twins reminds us that even legendary shows have imperfect beginnings. It’s raw, real, and relatable.
A Lesson in Patience—and Fate
Sometimes, the things that frustrate us the most turn out to be blessings in disguise. If Stamos hadn’t had a moment of frustration, we might never have gotten the Michelle Tanner we all know and love.
The Reunion That Never Happened
When Fuller House premiered on Netflix in 2016, fans hoped the Olsen twins would make a cameo. They declined, choosing to stay out of acting.
Stamos, however, publicly said he understood their decision and still holds affection for them. It’s proof that the bonds forged in those chaotic early days have endured, even without on-screen reunions.
What John Stamos and the Olsens Think Today
Both sides have reflected with warmth and humor. Stamos has admitted he’s “proud of those girls” and “forever grateful” they came back to the show.
Meanwhile, the twins have acknowledged Full House as a meaningful part of their lives, even if they prefer to keep their privacy now.
Their relationship may not be as visible as it once was, but the mutual respect remains strong.
The Ironic Twist of Fate
The very moment that almost ended their careers became the foundation for one of the most successful child acting stories in Hollywood.
It’s a reminder that destiny has a sense of humor—and sometimes, even a crying baby can change television forever.
Conclusion
What started as a frustrating day on set turned into a pivotal moment in entertainment history. John Stamos’s heat-of-the-moment comment—“Get rid of them”—nearly cost Full House its most iconic character.
But fate had other plans. The Olsen twins came back, stole the show, and eventually became two of the most powerful women in Hollywood.
Sometimes, life’s loudest cries lead to the sweetest success.
FAQs
1. Did John Stamos really fire the Olsen twins from Full House?
Yes, but only temporarily. After a stressful day of shooting, he asked producers to replace them. They were brought back shortly after when replacements didn’t work out.
2. How old were the Olsen twins when they started on Full House?
They were just 11 months old when they began filming the pilot episode.
3. Did John Stamos regret firing them?
Absolutely. He’s publicly joked and reflected that it was one of his funniest and biggest lessons in patience.
4. Why did the Olsen twins not return for Fuller House?
They chose to focus on their fashion careers and private lives, staying out of the spotlight.
5. Are John Stamos and the Olsen twins still close today?
While they don’t see each other often, Stamos has said he’ll “always love those girls” and appreciates their place in his life story.
