In a candid interview with Parade, actor and comedian Dave Coulier detailed his recent battle with cancer, describing the emotional and physical toll it has taken on him and his family.

At the age of 65, Coulier was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2024. Recently, a common cold required him to spend time in the hospital, which added to the concerns surrounding his health.

Facing a Serious Diagnosis

Following his diagnosis, Coulier shared his initial fears about the gravity of his condition. “I think everybody’s mind goes there,” he reflected, speaking about the reality of confronting death and thinking about the worst possible outcomes. “It’s part of the reality of life. Like, ‘Wow, this is really serious’ and ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ I’ve seen it so often in my family.”

His wife, Melissa, also a warrior in her own right fighting lupus, expressed the weight of their situation. She recounted a moment during Coulier’s chemotherapy, where he expressed doubt about continuing treatment saying, “I don’t know if I could do this again,” while also showing a readiness to accept any outcome, whether it be recovery or loss.

The Path Ahead

As of February 2025, Coulier completed his last round of chemotherapy and is awaiting results from a forthcoming test that will help guide his future health decisions. He remains hopeful about ringing the bell—a significant milestone for cancer patients indicating the end of treatment.

Amid these challenges, Coulier also celebrated a joyful moment in his life with the arrival of his grandson, whom he welcomed with his first wife, Jayne Modean.

The Cancer Diagnosis

Coulier first revealed his cancer diagnosis to the public last November, explaining that his symptoms started with an upper respiratory infection, which led to troubling swelling in his lymph nodes. After further medical examination, he learned of his condition, which he described as “very aggressive” and categorized as B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Understanding Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

As defined by the American Cancer Society, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that initiates in lymphocytes, crucial components of the body’s immune system. Stage III indicates that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm or has reached other regions such as the spleen.