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Dave Coulier

American actor (born 1959)


American actor (born 1959)

FieldValue
nameDave Coulier
imageWikicoulier.png
alt
captionCoulier in 2010
birth_nameDavid Alan Coulier
birth_date
birth_placeDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
educationUniversity of Michigan
occupation
years_active1979–present
spouse{{ubl
{{marriageJayne Modean19901992enddivorced}}
children1
website

| | David Alan Coulier ( ; born September 21, 1959) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his roles as Joey Gladstone on the ABC sitcom Full House, Peter Venkman on The Real Ghostbusters, and Animal and Bunsen Honeydew on Muppet Babies. He was also in the 2007 Christmas movie The Family Holiday.

Early life

David Alan Coulier was born on September 21, 1959, to David L. Coulier and Arlen Coulier in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised Catholic in nearby St. Clair Shores. He has three siblings. His mother's side of the family is from Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada, and his paternal grandmother was a Jewish immigrant from Germany.

Coulier got his start in stand-up comedy in high school by impersonating his principal and other staff over his high school's public-address system. He graduated in 1977 from Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, Michigan, where he was a member of the varsity ice hockey team, playing defense alongside future NHL player John Blum. Coulier also attended high school with Mark Cendrowski, who became friends with him in the third grade and they often made 8mm films together during high school.

Coulier attended the University of Michigan but dropped out after his freshman year to pursue comedy full time.

Career

Coulier met future Full House co-star Bob Saget for the first time at a comedy club in Detroit. The two became good friends and Coulier briefly lived with Saget and his then-wife Sherri on their couch in the early 1980s as he struggled to get his career started. At age 19, he moved to Los Angeles, California and began performing at The Comedy Store, alongside other comedians including Jay Leno, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, and Robin Williams.

Coulier was initially cast as a player for Saturday Night Live ahead of the show's 1986 season. However, shortly before the season started, he was let go as producers determined he was too similar to another cast member, Dana Carvey.

Coulier has done extensive voice work for shows including Scooby and Scrappy-Doo, The Real Ghostbusters, Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters (taking over the character of Peter Venkman after Lorenzo Music's departure from the role), Extreme Ghostbusters, *Muppet Babies *after Howie Mandel left (Baby Animal, Baby Bunsen, Bean Bunny, and Uncle Statler and Waldorf, and a preteen Janice for one episode), The Jetsons, Rude Dog and the Dweebs, and Detention. From 1984 to 1985, he was also the host of a comedy series on Nickelodeon known as Out of Control.

Coulier is best known for playing Joey Gladstone on the ABC sitcom Full House. He stayed on the show from 1987 until its cancellation in 1995. He was famous for doing voices and impersonations. In addition to Full House, Coulier appeared on George and Leo and Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. He has also hosted America's Funniest People (first with Arleen Sorkin and later with Tawny Kitaen) and Opportunity Knocks. Additionally, he was also a voice actor in Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose and has voiced Felix the Cat on a few occasions. He also put out a solo album called Cut It Out, a self-proclaimed tribute to "tank tops and short shorts."

In addition to his voice work, Coulier has also taken a few acting parts, appearing in the Disney Channel Original Movie's The Thirteenth Year and The Even Stevens Movie (where he had a cameo as a reality show host), as well as the Nickelodeon original film Shredderman Rules. He wrote and starred in an unaired pilot for FX called Whispers and Balls.

He also founded his own children's entertainment company, F3 Entertainment, in 2000. In 2003, Coulier appeared on season three of The Surreal Life. In 2006, he appeared on the TV reality show Skating with Celebrities on FOX, where he was paired with Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan. They were eliminated in episode four.

He is a member of Duck's Breath Mystery Theater touring comedy troupe (which he claims is clean comedy but "not quite as creepy" as Full House) as well as the host of the series Animal Kidding.

On June 2, 2008, Chikara, a professional wrestling promotion based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, announced that Coulier was elected by the Chikara Board of Directors as the new commissioner of the company, a position that he held for two years until the next election (which took place on May 25, 2010). Coulier is the successor to former Commissioner and fellow Full House cast member Bob Saget.

In 2009, Coulier provided the voice for Bob McKenzie on the Canadian animated series Bob & Doug, based on the SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie. Coulier became the first person other than Rick Moranis to portray the character, as Moranis (who serves as executive producer) was not interested in resuming the part. Coulier says he understands that longtime fans might be skeptical of his take on the role, but he could not help jumping at the chance to portray one of his favorite comic characters. "It's huge shoes to fill, stepping into Rick Moranis' shoes. It's such an established, great character and I guess the only thing I have going for me is that it kind of sounds alike and that half of my family is from Canada." His mother's family is from Bathurst, New Brunswick.

Coulier continued to make regular television appearances as the host of shows such as America's Funniest People and America's Most Talented Kid. He continues to tour the U.S. and Canada as a stand-up comedian.

Coulier reprised his role as Joey Gladstone for the Full House spin-off Fuller House. The show premiered on February 26, 2016 and ran for five seasons, ending on June 5, 2020. He was also the director for some of the episodes. In 2023, Coulier began hosting Full House Rewind, an episode-by-episode rewatch podcast.

Personal life

In the early 1990s, Coulier was married for two years to Jayne Modean. They have a son, Luc, born in 1990. Having divorced, he dated Alanis Morissette for two years, but they broke up shortly before she recorded her album Jagged Little Pill. He was rumored to be the subject of Morissette's song "You Oughta Know" and, in a 2008 interview with the Calgary Herald, Coulier indicated he thinks the rumor is true, as he appeared to receive confirmation of it when reaching out to Morissette. However, in the 2021 documentary Jagged, Morissette denied the song is about Coulier, despite the coincidental timing. In 2005, Coulier began dating photographer and producer Melissa Bring. They married on July 2, 2014, in Montana.

Coulier is a private pilot who owns and flies a B35 Bonanza. His first general aviation flight was at the age of five in Michigan. He earned his private pilot certificate at the same airport in 1979 and is now instrument rated. In 2012, he did more flight training in a Cirrus SR20 to "keep current." He is part of the Hat in the Ring Society to support the AOPA foundation, an organization that promotes safe flying.

Coulier is an ice hockey fan and participates in charity events with the Detroit Red Wings. He is also a fan of the Detroit Tigers and has played in celebrity softball games.

In October 2024, Coulier was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and began chemotherapy. On December 2, 2025, Coulier announced he was diagnosed with p16 squamous carcinoma on the base of his tongue. He said the new cancer was discovered when he went for a checkup and PET Scan and has been going through radiation treatment.

In November 2024, Coulier announced he was going to be a grandfather, as Luc and his wife were expecting their first child. His grandson was born on March 27, 2025.

Animation

In January of 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Animation Magazine had reported that Coulier and animation producer Bob Harper were to launch Grilled Cheese Media for the development and production of animated and live-action content "across multiple platforms, including television, streaming platforms, and film".

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982Things Are Tough All OverMan with Tongue in RestaurantCredited as David Couwlier
1987Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce GooseFirkinVoice, television film
2006Farce of the PenguinsThere's No Snow PenguinVoice, direct-to-video
2017Pup Star: Better 2GetherJimmy Kibbletitle=Dave Coulier (visual voices guide)url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Dave-Coulier/access-date=November 29, 2023publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979Scooby and Scrappy-DooMuscles Malone, additional voices
1981An Evening at the ImprovHimselfSeason 1, Episode 6
1984Out of ControlDave, Ha Ha20 episodes
Detroit Comedy JamHimselfSpecial
1985NewhartEpisode "The prodigal Daryl"
The JetsonsAdditional voicesNew version of the 1962 TV series
1986–1991Muppet BabiesAnimal, Bean Bunny, Janice, Bunsen, Statler and WaldorfVoice, 81 episodes
1987–1995Full HouseJoey GladstoneMain role
1987–1991The Real GhostbustersPeter VenkmanVoice, seasons 3–7 (replaced Lorenzo Music)
1989Rude Dog and the DweebsDaneVoice
It's Garry Shandling's ShowGarry's Voice BoxEpisode: "Garry Acts Like a Moron"
Free SpiritKevin WenceslasEpisode: "Blast from the Past"
1990–1994America's Funniest PeopleHimself/host
1992–1993The Little MermaidDudley / Moray the EelVoice, 8 episodes
1994Burke's LawEddie BartlettEpisode: "Who Killed the Legal Eagle?"
1995Freakazoid!Teenage BoyVoice, episode: "Freak-a-Panel"
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanThe Real AnonymousEpisode: "Chip Off the Old Clark"
The Sylvester & Tweety MysteriesCaptain, PC VoiceVoice, 2 episodes
1996Pinky and the BrainTom HanksVoice, episode: "Brain's Song"
World's Funniest VideosHimself/hostDirect-to-video
1997Extreme GhostbustersPeter VenkmanVoice, episode: "Back in the Saddle"
1999The Thirteenth YearWhit GriffinTelevision film
2002The Zeta ProjectDelivery BotVoice, episode: "Resume Mission"
Dexter's LaboratoryCoachVoice, episode: "Oh, Brother/Another Dad Cartoon/Bar Exam"
2003The Even Stevens MovieLance LeBowTelevision film
Teen TitansCaptainVoice, episode: "Deep Six"
America's Most Talented KidHimself/host
2003–2004The Surreal LifeHimself20 episodes
2004Felix the Cat Saves ChristmasFelix, Rock BottomVoice, television film
2005–2019Robot ChickenScooby-Doo, Fred Flintstone, Popeye, Bluto, Michelangelo, Barney Rubble,Voice, 9 episodes
2006Skating with CelebritiesHimself3 episodes
Plastic Man in Puddle TroubleArchieVoice, short film
2007Shredderman Rules!Steven ByrdTelevision film
The GradeSchool GameHimself/host
The Family HolidayDonald "Doc" HolidayDirect-to-DVD
2009–2011Bob & DougBob McKenzieVoice, 15 episodes
2011–2015China, ILRonald Reagan, additional voices4 episodes
2013How I Met Your MotherHimselfEpisode: "P.S. I Love You"
2015GrandfatheredTherapy PatientEpisode: "My Amal"
2016–2020Fuller HouseJoey GladstoneRecurring role; also directed 5 episodes
2016Dream Corp, LLCHimselfEpisode: "Pilot"
2017Funny You Should AskHimself2 episodes
2017–2018Voltron: Legendary DefenderBi Boh BiVoice, 2 episodes
Mighty MagiswordsGalactonian Player #3, Murray Williams, Average Pumpkin Magisword, Evil Tree #5Voice, 3 episodes
2019DollfaceHimselfEpisode: "Guy's Girl"
2020Worst Cooks in AmericaHimselfContestant - Celebrity Edition
2022Live & Local Pure FlixTommy MurphyDJ - Radio Show Host

Awards

GLAAD Award nomination for the episode on Fuller House that he had directed titled, The Prom.

References

References

  1. "Say How: C". National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
  2. (November 21, 2012). "Dave Coulier from 'Full House'". AOL.
  3. (October 26, 2016). "The Muppets are returning to TV, but they'll look a little different". [[Mashable]].
  4. "Dave Coulier". [[TV Guide.
  5. "David L. Coulier Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information".
  6. "Dave Coulier on Instagram: "My Dad passed away today. He joins his dog, Ben, who was always by his side. My dad, also named, Dave, was funny. He loved to laugh. When I was a kid, he never missed one of my hockey or baseball games. He would get home from his job at Chrysler, exhausted. I'd be waiting for him on our front porch holding our baseball gloves and a ball. He'd walk by and say, "Hey, Babo (My nickname), you ready for a knuckleball?" and we'd play catch for an hour. I don't know how he ever afforded to put all four of us kids through private schools, but he did. I'll miss his smile and, at times, his crabby viewpoint about our world. As I held his hand, and with him looking in to my eyes, I got to say goodbye to him and say all the thankful things that a son can say to a father. I will miss him. I love you Dad. RIP❤️"".
  7. McCarty, India. (2022-09-26). "Dave Coulier Reflects on Faith and Sobriety: '[Christianity Has] Always Been in My Life'".
  8. Pollak, Kevin. (January 10, 2010 }}{{dead link). "Kevin Pollak Chat Show".
  9. Borri, Joe. (April 8, 2009). "Q&A: Detroit celebrity and Red Wings' fan, Dave Coulier '77 (NDHS)". motorcitysports.net.
  10. (August 23, 2015). "Did Dave Coulier & Bob Saget Know Each Other Before 'Full House'? Lifetime Tells The Origin Of Danny & Uncle Joey".
  11. Powills, Nick. "Mettez un peu de lumière dans votre habitation". Lumino Magazine.
  12. Spiegelman, Ian. (2022-07-12). "Dave Coulier Says Dana Carvey Cost Him 'Saturday Night Live' Gig".
  13. Anderson, Cheryl. (October 7, 2009). "Coulier on ABC's Full House". pqasb.pqarchiver.com.
  14. (Oct 25, 2017). "Dave Coulier, 'Uncle Joey' on Full House, to visit Oakland University".
  15. Rahal, Sarah. "Cut it out: Dave Coulier moving back home to Michigan".
  16. (December 2016). "TELUS, news, headlines, stories, breaking, entertainment, music, movies". Beta.mytelus.com.
  17. Friedlander, Whitney. (May 7, 2015). "'Full House' Reboot: Dave Coulier Joins 'Fuller House' on Netflix". [[Variety (magazine).
  18. "ABOUT US {{!}} Grilled Cheese Media".
  19. Hailu, Selome. (2023-07-10). "'Full House Rewind' Podcast With Dave Coulier Sets Guests Including John Stamos, Premiere Date and Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)".
  20. Chiu, Melody. (July 10, 2014). "Inside Dave Coulier and Melissa Bring's Montana Wedding". People.
  21. (June 7, 2010). "Alanis Morissette marries rapper boyfriend". CBC News.
  22. Silverman, Stephen M.. (August 9, 2008). "Olsens, Alanis part of Coulier's house". [[Calgary Herald]].
  23. Rife, Katie. (September 15, 2021). "Why has Alanis Morissette denounced this documentary about her life?".
  24. (June 11, 2014). "Full House's Dave Coulier Is Engaged to Melissa Bring". People.
  25. (July 2, 2014). "Dave Coulier of Full House Is Married!". People.
  26. (December 10, 2012). "AOPA Summit - 10 Questions for Dave Coulier".
  27. (March 20, 2012). "Uncle Joey is a pilot". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
  28. (2024-11-13). "EXCLUSIVE: Dave Coulier of 'Full House' reveals he has non-Hodgkin lymphoma: 'I'm OK if this is the end'".
  29. Gibson, Katie. (November 13, 2024). "Dave Coulier Reveals He Has Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: 'I'm Going to Be Strong Throughout This' (Exclusive)".
  30. (December 2, 2025). "Dave Coulier Reveals New Cancer Diagnosis Months After Beating Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma".
  31. (November 13, 2024). "Dave Coulier Reveals He's Going to Be a Grandfather amid Cancer Diagnosis: 'There's a Lot to Look Forward to' (Exclusive)". [[People (magazine).
  32. (March 31, 2025). "Dave Coulier Is a Grandfather! The 'Full House' Alum's Son Luc Welcomes Baby Boy with His Wife Alex: 'So Excited'".
  33. Milligan, Mercedes. (2021-01-14). "Dave Coulier & Animation Vet Bob Harper Launch Grilled Cheese Media".
  34. "Tumblr Today, the Tate Tomorrow".
  35. Karenina, Kristen. (2018-06-16). "The Same Picture of Dave Coulier Every Day: Ironic joke, or something more?".
  36. (May 27, 2015). "Meet the man who posts the same photo of Dave Coulier online every day".
  37. (January 30, 2015). "Why Are People Obsessed with This 71-Year-Old Italian Man's Picture?".
  38. (February 2, 2015). "Everyday the Same Picture: Popularity and Content Diversity".
  39. "My Favorite New Chart Tumblr".
  40. (12 February 2015). "Why are some people posting the same picture every day?". BBC News.
  41. Club, The A. V.. (November 8, 2019). "The 100 best, worst, and weirdest things we saw on the internet in the 2010s".
  42. "Best Thing on the Internet Today: The Same Picture of Dave Coulier Every Day".
  43. [https://books.google.com/books?id=aBVjDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22The+Same+Picture+of+Dave+Coulier+Every+Day%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT262 ''The Same Picture of Dave Coulier Every Day'']; google.com online website;
  44. "Dave Coulier (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  45. (February 6, 1981). "An Evening at the Improv".
  46. "ABOUT US {{!}} Grilled Cheese Media".
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