From 1987 to 1995, Dave Coulier became a household name as Joey Gladstone on the iconic sitcom Full House. His comedic timing and charm made him a fan favorite, but did you know that this legendary role almost never happened? Believe it or not, Dave’s career path almost took a completely different turn in the early '80s.

From Voice Work to SNL: Dave's Big Break

Before becoming a TV star, Dave Coulier was already making waves in the entertainment industry. He started out doing voice work for animated shows like Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo. But in the early '80s, he was ready for a new challenge. When the opportunity to join Saturday Night Live came knocking, Dave was thrilled. This wasn’t just any gig—it was Saturday Night Live, the holy grail for many comedians.

During a July 13 interview on SiriusXM’s “Jim Norton & Sam Roberts,” Dave recalled the excitement of getting the call. “I told everybody in my life, of course,” he said. “All the comics were like, ‘Wow, you’re on SNL?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, can you believe it?’”

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The SNL Rejection That Changed Everything

Dave Coulier Almost Missed ‘Full House’ Role: Cast Secrets — Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Back then, Dave was living in Michigan, but he was ready to pack up and move to New York after learning that legendary producer Lorne Michaels wanted him on the show. But as fate would have it, things didn’t go as planned. “I boxed up everything in my apartment and then 10 days go by, and I don’t hear anything,” Dave explained. “I’m trying to find an apartment in New York. I’m ready to go. Then I get a call that says, ‘I’ve got some bad news.’ I said, ‘What could be bad — I couldn’t find an apartment?’ He said, ‘No, you’re not going.’”

Enter Dana Carvey: The Comedy Legend Who Stole the Spotlight

At the same time, another comedy legend, Dana Carvey, was also trying to make his mark in Hollywood. The producers of Saturday Night Live felt that Dave and Dana were too similar in style, so they ultimately chose Dana for the role. Dana went on to make his Saturday Night Live debut in 1986, becoming a beloved figure on the show.

But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. A year later, Dave received the script for Full House. He landed the role of Joey Gladstone, the lovable and hilarious uncle of D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle Tanner. This role not only defined his career but also became a cherished part of pop culture history. In 2016, Dave reprised his role in the Netflix sequel Fuller House, which ran for five seasons until its conclusion in June 2020.

Grateful for the Rejection

Looking back, Dave is incredibly grateful for the Saturday Night Live rejection. It may have been tough at the time, but it ultimately led him to the role of a lifetime. “You’re always kind of shaking something like that off,” he explained. “But had I never gone to New York that year, I never would have been on Full House.”