Dave Coulier has reflected on having led an “incredible life” thus far. Though he’s recently been diagnosed with cancer, a disease that has already claimed some of his loved ones and currently affects his sibling, the star remains optimistic about what life has to offer.
Dave Coulier rose to fame as a beloved character on the iconic 1980s sitcom “Full House.” Now, many years after the show’s end, the 65-year-old faces a serious health battle even as he prepares for the joy of becoming a grandparent.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1987 | Source: Getty Images
As Dave navigates the challenges of his health and anticipated the joys of grandparenthood, he once reflected on a passion that had grounded him for decades: aviation.
Long before his career in entertainment, the actor was captivated by flying, a fascination that began at a young age.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1987 | Source: Getty Images
He recalled in a March 2012 interview, “My dad had a friend who flew a Cessna 180 at a small uncontrolled field near our home in St. Clair Shores, Mich. When I was just five years old, my father took me along. That first flight on a cold winter day got me hooked on aviation for a lifetime.”
This early love led him to earn his private pilot’s license as a teenager. When asked about his decision to pursue piloting in another interview, Dave credited his father.
Dave Coulier on the set of “Full House,” 1988 | Source: Getty Images
“My dad had a big influence on me. […] When I was 17 I’d saved enough money to start flight training,” said the Hollywood star. By then, his commitment had come full circle, and he obtained his license at McKinley Airport, the very place of his first flight with his dad.
Dave’s passion for flying even wove its way into his work life. At one point, he decided to skip the notorious Los Angeles traffic by flying his plane from Santa Monica to the “Full House” set in Burbank. He recounted, “It took 12 minutes. […] But when the studio heard about it, that was the last time.”