Bob Saget, the comedian and actor best known for his starring role in “Full House” and hosting the original “America’s Funniest Home Videos” in the 1980s and ’90s, died Sunday at age 65. According to the sheriff’s office in Orange County, Fla., he was found in a hotel room in Orlando.
“Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room,” the sheriff’s office account posted on Twitter. “The man was identified as Robert Saget & pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case.”
TMZ first reported that Saget was found in his room by hotel security on Sunday afternoon. The comedian had recently launched a stand-up tour with the first two dates in Florida over the weekend, and performed in Ponte Vedra Beach on Saturday night. “Loved tonight’s show,” he tweeted after his set. “Appreciative audience.”
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As soon as the news broke, there was a flood of tributes from fellow actors and comedians. Longtime friend and former “Full House” co-star John Stamos tweeted, “I am broken. I am gutted. I am in complete and utter shock. I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby.” Candace Cameron Bure, who starred as one of his daughters on the show, wrote, “I have no words. Bob was one of the best humans beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much.” Co-star Dave Coulier called Saget his “forever brother” and tweeted, “My heart is broken. I love you, Bob.”
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who both played the role of Saget’s youngest daughter, released a statement through People magazine: “Bob was the most loving, compassionate and generous man. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has. We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences."
Norman Lear, who said he was “close friends” with Saget, wrote that “Saget was as lovely a human as he was funny. And to my mind, he was hilarious … I could not have loved him more.”
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“I’ll miss Bob Saget so much. He was as kind as he was funny,” Nikki Glaser tweeted.
“Oh god. Bob Saget!!! The loveliest man,” wrote Kat Dennings. “I was his TV daughter for one season and he was always so kind and protective. So so sorry for his family.”
“Beloved by millions as America’s Dad, he was a regular presence in our living rooms, bringing to us the funniest videos and countless belly laughs,” George Takei tweeted. “Gone too soon, like so many of the brightest souls.”
Saget, originally from Philadelphia, got his big break in Hollywood in 1987 when he was cast in the ABC sitcom “Full House” as Danny Tanner, a local TV news personality and recently widowed dad to three young daughters (Bure, Jodie Sweetin and the Olsens). The show was a hit, and millions tuned in every week to see him dispense kindhearted fatherly wisdom and get into wacky situations with his brother-in-law, Jesse (Stamos), and good friend Joey (Coulier) who moved in to help him raise his kids.
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He segued that role into a gig as host on the popular “America’s Funniest Home Videos” in 1989, spending nearly a decade narrating goofy home movies and handing out prize money.
To the amusement of many fans, Saget’s G-rated “Full House” and AFHV persona was in stark contrast to his incredibly raunchy stand-up act in real life, not to mention his famously dirty “Aristocrats” joke and stint directing “Dirty Work.” (His explicit jokes didn’t stop him from getting a Grammy nomination for best comedy album in 2014.)
Saget, who toured the comedy circuit for years, was one of those celebrities who were always in on the joke: He had no problem being roasted on Comedy Central, and he seemed to take great delight in playing a parody of himself on “Entourage.” In November 2020, he showed up to compete on “The Masked Singer” as a character known as “the Squiggly Monster.”
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While he loved stand-up comedy, he also continued to show up on network television, including more patriarch roles in “Raising Dad” in 2001 and “Surviving Suburbia” in 2009. He narrated the voice-over for the entirety of CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” playing the older version of the title character. And, of course, he returned with many of his cast mates to “Fuller House,” the Netflix revival of the sitcom that debuted in 2016.
Share this articleShareSaget is the father of three daughters — Aubrey, Lara and Jennifer — with his first wife, Sherri Kramer, whom he divorced in 1987. He married TV host Kelly Rizzo in 2018.
Just over a week ago, Saget penned an emotional tribute to Betty White, who died at age 99 on New Year’s Eve.
“She always said the love of her life was her husband, Allen Ludden, who she lost in 1981. Well, if things work out by Betty’s design — in the afterlife, they are reunited,” Saget wrote. “I don’t know what happens when we die, but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this.”
Here were more reactions from around Hollywood:
I’m shocked and saddened to learn that Bob Saget is gone. A great friend and one of the funniest and sweetest people I have ever known. My love to his beautiful family.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) January 10, 2022Bob Saget was the kindest, warmest male comic there was. I loved it whenever I saw him, or heard from him. He was the guy that everyone loved. Love you, Bob Saget. You will be missed and loved for a long time.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) January 10, 2022Still in shock. I just spoke with Bob a few days ago. We stayed on the phone as usual making each other laugh. RIP to friend, comedian & fellow Aristocrat Bob Saget. pic.twitter.com/TDKT8JoULq
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) January 10, 2022Beautiful Bob Saget passed away today at 65. He had a big, big heart and a wonderfully warped comic mind. He gave the world a lot of joy and lived his life for goodness’ sake. :’^} pic.twitter.com/QVSITsfaVj
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) January 10, 2022I had the pleasure of a once in a lifetime candid interaction with Bob Saget and Norman Lear a few months ago that had a warmth generally reserved for long time friends. Every story I heard about Bob was confirmed that night. His dark humor, generosity, and love for ppl. RIP xx pic.twitter.com/zwWF1FWPsb
— NYT Least Relevant Notable of 2021 Jeremy O Harris (@jeremyoharris) January 10, 2022Bob Saget…
Just the funniest and nicest…
Oh no. RIP Bob Saget. Truly one of the nicest guys and so funny. Very sad.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) January 10, 2022Man, rest well Bob Saget. Philiadelphian, Temple alum, and incredible comedian.
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) January 10, 2022Bob Saget was so kind and when you spent time with him he made you laugh hard. He loved to be funny and he was hysterical. He was also there for everyone. A beautiful soul. pic.twitter.com/jQuv5cAkuT
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) January 10, 2022I’m so shocked at @bobsaget’s passing. One of the most kind & thoughtful people I’ve ever come across & he just happened to be one of the funniest on the planet. I will miss you so much Bob. Love you dear friend. I’m so sorry @kellyrizzo. And so sorry to the rest of the family.
— Joel McHale (@joelmchale) January 10, 2022Sail on my friend Bob Saget With your huge heart and abject lunacy,my condolences to his daughters & other family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 10, 2022Seeing this tweet from B.J. six days ago and I agree. You couldn’t find a nicer or sharper wit than Bob Saget. Shocked and devastated. 💔💔💔 https://t.co/QgiYCW5H92
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 10, 2022Bob Saget. A good hang, a good chat. Kind, funny, generous. RIP.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 10, 2022It’s always disheartening when we lose entertainers that touched us thru their work, often doubly so when they were universally known for being kind, caring and funny. RIP to Bob Saget, and my heart goes out to all who knew and loved him. X
— Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) January 10, 2022I know that people lose loved ones, good people, every day. No one gets a pass. But the loss of Bob Saget hits deep. If you didn’t know him, he was kind and dear and cared about people deeply. He was the definition of “a good egg”. Too soon he leaves. #RipBobSaget
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) January 10, 2022Bob Saget was an amazing comedian and a really warm and generous man. It doesn’t seem real to me yet, I just saw him last week and it’s hard to even imagine him not being here. He was the best. pic.twitter.com/kaYuqgp7QN
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) January 10, 2022Damn it @bobsaget you left your body
I’ll forever celebrate your genius, your giant heart, and joy for life.
Thank you for helping me through the inevitable sadness of life with comedy. At least now you can hang with Rodney & Don again
Love you forever
One of the funniest nights of my life was in the early 90's in a limo heading downtown with @TheRichardLewis @DaveCoulier and Saget. Blue and brutal and funny AF!
Wherever he's gone, people will be laughing!
A friend. Everybody’s favorite TV dad. You will be so missed, Bob. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest easy ❤️ sending love to his whole family pic.twitter.com/T26VtYTTSl
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) January 10, 2022ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZK6zwNJmnKeslafBorXNppynrF9nfXN%2BjmloaGhpZK%2BwroysmKCdpGKxqrHSZm1uZw%3D%3D