Show summary Hide summary
- Behind the scenes: How Full House almost had a different Danny Tanner
- Why the pilot was reshot and Bob Saget’s arrival
- John Posey’s version: what we know
- Cast reaction and the kids’ experience
- Bob Saget’s run as Danny and his legacy
- The Full House ensemble and ongoing ties
- John Posey’s broader career and comments on the change
- What the recast meant for the series’ future
- Cast relationships after the switch
When fans picture the Tanner household, Bob Saget’s warm, dad-next-door persona often comes to mind. Few know that the sitcom’s path to that image included a different actor, a costly reshoot and a casting twist that only became public years later.
Behind the scenes: How Full House almost had a different Danny Tanner
Jodie Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner, recently revealed on Taboo’s “Taboo’s Comics & Kicks” podcast that the very first pilot filmed for Full House featured a different father. Veteran actor John Posey portrayed Danny in that initial, unaired version.
Sophia Laforteza of Katseye announces hiatus: comes months after Manon Bannerman’s exit
Delta to return to Tokyo Narita hub in 2027: 7-year comeback
The production did not release that first pilot. Producers later went back into production after ABC secured its preferred lead. Sweetin recalled the expensive decision to reshoot the pilot once the network could hire its top choice.
Why the pilot was reshot and Bob Saget’s arrival
Network timing opened the door for a recast. Bob Saget was originally unavailable due to another job. When his schedule cleared, the show’s creator pushed to bring him aboard.
Sweetin described the change as more than a simple casting swap. According to her account, the creator felt strongly that Saget was the right fit and fought to redo the pilot. The entire episode was re-shot with Saget as Danny Tanner.
John Posey’s version: what we know
Posey, who stepped in during the early casting search, later described his casting as surprising. He said producers had tried many options before landing on him. Posey acknowledged that other names were considered first.
- Posey filmed the original pilot and worked with the young cast.
- He learned later that ABC had tested and then chosen another actor.
- Posey told interviewers he never had the chance to speak with Saget about the role.
Posey has a long resume in television. His credits include guest roles and recurring parts on notable series. He is also known to many as the father of actor Tyler Posey.
Cast reaction and the kids’ experience
Recasting a lead after a completed pilot can be jarring, especially for child actors. Posey recalled that the young cast members were upset by the change.
Candace Cameron Bure, who played D.J., was reportedly especially affected. Posey said redoing scenes with a new father figure required emotional adjustment from the children on set.
Bob Saget’s run as Danny and his legacy
Once cast, Bob Saget portrayed the widowed patriarch across all eight seasons of Full House. His portrayal anchored the show and became its most recognizable element.
Saget passed away on Jan. 9, 2022, at 65. He was found in a Ritz-Carlton hotel room in Orlando. An autopsy later attributed his death to blunt head trauma after brain bleeding and contusions were discovered.
The Full House ensemble and ongoing ties
Full House also featured Candace Cameron Bure and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen as Saget’s on-screen daughters, plus John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Lori Loughlin and Andrea Barber in major roles.
- Candace Cameron Bure — D.J. Tanner
- Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen — Michelle Tanner
- John Stamos — Jesse Katsopolis
- Dave Coulier — Joey Gladstone
- Lori Loughlin — Rebecca Donaldson
- Andrea Barber — Kimmy Gibbler
The cast kept in touch after the show ended in 1995. They reunited publicly and privately over the years and were together to mourn Saget in 2022.
John Posey’s broader career and comments on the change
Outside of that pilot, John Posey has appeared on many television series. His credits include Cheers, ER, Boston Legal, Criminal Minds, How to Get Away With Murder and Better Call Saul.
In a 2014 interview, Posey explained the audition process for Full House. He said the show had initially sought other actors and that his casting felt unexpected given the original targets. He also noted the emotional impact the recast had on the young performers.
Notable credits and recent appearances
- Posey appeared in Teen Wolf alongside his son, Tyler Posey.
- He continued to take guest and recurring roles across drama and comedy series.
What the recast meant for the series’ future
Recasting the patriarch proved pivotal. Producers believed a different energy was needed to carry the family dynamics and long-term storytelling.
With Saget in place, Full House went on to become a cultural touchstone, airing for eight seasons and later inspiring a sequel series that revisited the Tanner family years later.
Cast relationships after the switch
Despite the early turbulence, relationships among the cast endured. Stamos and Coulier remained friends with Posey. The entire ensemble supported one another during Saget’s passing and in subsequent years.
