John Stamos is showing support for “Full House” co-star Dave Coulier after Coulier revealed he has cancer, but it’s coming with controversy.
On Nov. 18, Stamos and Coulier each posted a trio of photos on Instagram, featuring Stamos wearing a bald cap. There is also a shot of Stamos shaving Coulier’s head and another one of Stamos and Coulier’s wife, Melissa Coulier, kissing the top of his head.
“Nothing like throwing on a bald cap and flexing some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my bro @dcoulier,” Stamos captioned the pictures.
“You’re handling this with so much strength and positivity—it’s inspiring. I know you’re going to get through this, and I’m proud to stand with you every step of the way. I love you (p.s. — @melissacoulier is the most wonderfulest — your true life line!).”
Several commenters took issue with Stamos not actually shaving his head.
“What a shallow gesture! Couldn’t even cut your hair off for your friend. And you made sure to post it on Instagram to get those likes too,” one person commented.
“Uncle Jessie could never cut his hair,” another person wrote.
“God bless Dave 🙏🏻 but is this really appropriate?” someone else pointed out. “A bald cap is showing solidarity? You can just take your cap off and be ‘normal’ again. When people take this route they actually shave their head. I can’t help but feel that you’re using Dave’s diagnoses as a way to make yourself more likeable.”
Coulier responded hours later to the negative comments with a post of his own on his Instagram page.
“I’m sorry to see a bunch of negative comments as I’ve just begun my cancer journey,” he wrote.
“It’s our friendship (me and John) and this is how we are handling a very tough time,” he continued. “I’m a comedian and humor is what drives me. John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap – being a true loving friend and brother.”
He went on to highlight “so many people” who were inspired by his story to check in with their doctors about health concerns.
“I’m choosing to spread the word about early cancer detection to help people. That’s just who I am,” he wrote, concluding with: “I wish nothing but love for all of you.”
There were also plenty of people who had no problem with Stamos.
“Awwww this is so cute … also, to anyone in the comments.. if Dave isn’t offended by this, you shouldn’t be either ☺️ and remember .. John is an actor and may need his hair for his JOB. This should be a space filled with positivity and hope.. take the negativity elsewhere,” one person commented.
“This is fantastic ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” wrote “Full House” star Candace Cameron Bure.
“You’re a good friend Charlie Brown. Dave is a trooper. All three of you will get through this!” someone else commented.
“You guys look great!” another person raved.
On Nov. 13, Coulier announced exclusively on TODAY that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The actor remains optimistic about his prognosis, though.
“(Stage 3) doesn’t sound great,” he told TODAY.com in an interview about his diagnosis, noting during his broadcast segment that his curability rate is upwards of 90% since the cancer hadn’t spread to his bone marrow.
“It’s very treatable,” he added.
Coulier also said he was planning to get together with Stamos after his second round of chemotherapy.
“We’re going to have so many laughs. We’re going to have so much fun,” Coulier said. “I said, ‘It could be ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ if I’m just out of it.’ And (Stamos) said, ‘That’s OK. I’ll carry you around.’”
