Dave Coulier, best known for his role as Uncle Joey on Full House, recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. The actor shared the news during an interview on Today with co-anchor Hoda Kotb, explaining that he received his diagnosis about five weeks ago.
Since then, Coulier has undergone three surgeries, started chemotherapy, and experienced some hair loss. He joked about his new look, saying he now resembles a “baby bird.” Despite the challenging journey, he described the experience as a “rollercoaster ride.”
Coulier was diagnosed with an aggressive type of lymphoma called B cell lymphoma. He explained that he noticed a sudden growth in his groin area that felt like a “golf ball.” After a biopsy, doctors confirmed the cancer and immediately began his chemotherapy treatment.
Dave Coulier, the actor famous for his role as Uncle Joey on Full House, shared more details about his battle with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He explained that he was alone at home when he received the cancer diagnosis. When he told his wife, Melissa, about it, she responded by telling him to “quit making jokes” — a sign of how serious the news was.
The next challenge was determining the staging of the cancer. Fortunately, tests showed that the lymphoma had not spread to his bone marrow, which significantly improved his prognosis. Coulier said that with this positive result, his chances of recovery rose to over 90%, making the cancer “very treatable.”
Coulier recalled that the swelling in his groin grew quickly after he fought off a cold. Although his blood work was normal, scans revealed “hot spots” in his neck and groin. He has already completed one round of chemotherapy and is scheduled for another session later this week.
In his typically lighthearted manner, Coulier joked about shaving his head in advance, which he said not only helps him fit better in his hockey helmet but also makes him “more aerodynamic on the ice.”
A passionate hockey player, Coulier is staying as active as possible and maintaining a positive outlook. He remains hopeful that he will be in full remission by the time he finishes his treatment in February.