From Uncle Jesse to Dad: John Stamos on Balancing Career and Fatherhood

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John Stamos has finally achieved his biggest dream of becoming a father. After decades of practice as Uncle Jesse, it just seems right that he’s stepped into the role of raising his own little one. Here’s how the Full House heartbreaker came to be the proud papa of little Billy, and how he balances his career with fatherhood.

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John Stamos’ Career Success Came at a Young Age

John Stamos was born on August 19, 1963, in Orange County’s Cypress, California. His father William “Bill” Stamos was a Greek-American restaurateur and his son’s namesake, and his mother Loretta was a former swimsuit model of Irish and English descent. No wonder John Stamos is as hunky as he is!

John had a talent for music at a young age and began playing drums when he was only 4. He plays guitar and started a band called Destiny when he was 13. He also played in the John F. Kennedy High School marching band.

After attending a Beach Boys concert as a teen, John Stamos became set on pursuing his musical aspirations. He enrolled at Cypress College but deferred for a semester to pursue acting instead. Three weeks later, John was cast as Blackie Parrish in General Hospital, shooting him to immediate fame. The show earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination and a Soapy Award for Most Exciting New Actor.

John Stamos Is Practically Synonymous with Uncle Jesse from Full House

John Stamos played Jesse Katsopolis, aka Uncle Jesse, on Full house from 1987 to 1995. From 2016 to 2020, Stamos reprised the Uncle Jesse character while also serving as executive producer on the Netflix spin-off Fuller House. He has 14 producer credits to date and over 80 acting credits, many of which were voice roles. Stamos also played Jimmy Martino on the show Grandfathered, winning a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a New TV series.

Despite his fame on the small and silver screens, Stamos never held himself back in pursuing all that he was capable of. He’s starred in several on- and off-Broadway productions over the years, including Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie, and Hairspray. Stamos’ talent as a performer seems to have no bounds, as his vocal pipes, dancing, stage presence, and all-around ability to read and play music speaks for itself. He’s notably also performed, toured, and recorded with The Beach Boys — a dream come true as a formerly young fan of the band.

Stamos Was Once Married to Rebecca Romijn But They Weren’t Ready for Kids

Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and John Stamos during Dinah, The Christmas Whore by David Sedaris: A Benefit for Everybody Wins Children’s Literacy Fund at Lot 61 in New York City, New York, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

Stamos has had a few high-profile relationships and used to be romantically linked to Paula Abdul, singer Vanity, and model Julie Anderson. He met his first wife, supermodel Rebecca Romijn in 1994 at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. They tied the knot in 1998 but filed for divorce in 2004, finalizing the separation the next year. Stamos once told People in 1999 that although he “love[s] kids,” Romijn was focusing on her career, and they didn’t have plans to expand their family.

Stamos Married Caitlin McHugh in 2018

John Stamos began dating actress, model, and writer Caitlin McHugh in 2016. The following year, he popped the question to her at Disneyland. He would later tell Extra that he still had a lot of growing to do before the time was right to become a father. “That’s certainly the plan” he said about having kids with his new fiancé. “I finally found the right woman — the perfect woman,” he told Entertainment Tonight (via Us Weekly).

John and Caitlin Welcomed Son Billy Stamos in April 2018

Just a couple of months after proposing, the couple announced that they were expecting a child. Their son Billy Stamos (named after John’s father) was born in April 2018. At the time, John was 54 and Caitlin was 32. “From now on, the best part of me will always be my wife and my son.” Stamos captioned a black and white photo of their newborn. He added the hashtags #NotJustAnUncleAnymore and #Overjoyed.

Billy was introduced to the cast of Fuller House when he was only weeks old. These days, little Billy is practically the spitting image of his dad. He’s often seen out and about with his gorgeous parents, looking dapper at red carpet events, bonding with his pappa in New York City, or twinning with the famous actor (can you say swoon). Importantly, John and Caitlin have kept the love alive even throughout the COVID pandemic. The lockdown of course was known to test many couples around the world.

“The marriage has been … it feels right. It just feels good. I tell you, I’m just so grateful that I’m married at this age and that I have a kid and a family,” Stamos told Us Weekly in 2021. “But if any marriage, whatever years you’re at, can make it through this pandemic, then you got a good shot.” He added that his wife was spending 10-12 hours a day volunteering her time to make masks in the height of the shortage.

Caitlin and John Are Teaching Billy About Community Service

And as Billy has gotten older, Caitlin has been teaching him about giving back to communities while bringing him with her to help feed the homeless in Orange County. “I just have to lay the foundation of being loving and kind, and teach him to be that… We try to show him it’s about service and giving back,” Stamos told E! News. In February 2021, he revealed that Billy wanted a younger sibling, but that quarantine was making a Baby #2 plan difficult to carry out.

While John Stamos maintains his busy Hollywood career, he’s also realized the importance of making sacrifices as a father. On Father’s Day 2021, the proud dad shared a selfie with his son Billy and quoted Coach Korn about what it means to be a dad.

“For the longest time, I never really knew what it meant to be a dad. I thought maybe it was about providing. And it is, or can be. But that’s just a small part. Later, I thought being a parent was about spending time together. And it’s that, too… It took me a lot longer then it should have to finally realize that being a parent, is about sacrifice. Giving up some of your needs and desires for the sake of your child. It’s a… lifetime commitment… The win, and it’s one worth any sacrifice, is in raising a kid strong enough, capable enough, loving enough to become a better echo of you.”

John Stamos, Quoting Coach Korn on Fatherhood

John Calls Caitlin an “Incredible Mom”

Stamos has also thanked his wife for spending so much time with Billy and being such an “incredible mom.”

“You can’t really leave him alone ever… I cover as much as I can, but it’s been a lot,” he told Us Weekly. “But it’s also the most, hands-down, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever, ever experienced.”

He likes to do bits. ‘Let’s do a bit, dad.’ Then he walks into a wall. He loves this. I swing him on the swing set, and I’ll say, ‘I’m just a dad. Not paying attention.’ And then, not paying attention, the swing hits me in the butt. He just laughs,” Stamos added. “He is the most joyful kid I’ve ever been around; he just loves to laugh, wants to laugh.”

Stamos knows that he and his wife have been doing a good job with Billy. “He’s a very happy kid and he should be, cause he’s got good parents,” he said.

Read More: John Stamos Is Killing It As A Dad, Shares Awesome Images With Wife, Son

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