It’s been over thirty years since we first heard "How rude!" echo through that iconic San Francisco townhouse.
Honestly, it’s a lot to process. For most of us, Stephanie Tanner is frozen in time—a spunky kid with side-ponytails and a stuffed dog named Mr. Bear. But for the woman behind the character, the reality of being Stephanie from Full House now is a far more complex, gritty, and ultimately triumphant story than anything ever written for a sitcom.
Jodie Sweetin isn't that kid anymore. Obviously. She’s 43 now.
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She’s a mother of two. She’s a survivor. And, in a twist that would probably make Danny Tanner proud, she’s become one of the most vocal advocates for mental health and sobriety in Hollywood. But the road from 1995 to 2026 wasn't exactly paved with gold and "A-plus" parenting.
The Stephanie Tanner Box: A Blessing and a Brutal Curse
When Full House wrapped in 1995, Jodie Sweetin was just thirteen. Imagine being the most famous middle child in America and then suddenly... the cameras just stop. The transition was brutal. Most people don't realize that Jodie didn't just walk away from a job; she walked away from her entire support system.
She's been incredibly open about this lately on her podcast, How Rude, Tanneritos!, which she co-hosts with Andrea Barber (yes, Kimmy Gibbler).
They spend hours dissecting old episodes, many of which Jodie is seeing for the first time. It’s wild—she has almost no memory of filming some of the show’s most famous moments. That disconnect is common for child stars, but for Jodie, it led to a decade-long spiral into addiction. We're talking meth, cocaine, and alcohol.
She hit rock bottom. Hard.
There was a time when the world only wanted to talk about her "salacious story." You know the vibe: the "fallen child star" trope that the tabloids love so much. But if you look at Stephanie from Full House now, you’ll see someone who took those broken pieces and built something real.
Beyond the Laugh Track: Activism and Real Life in 2026
If you follow Jodie on Instagram or catch her at a convention in 2026, you'll notice she's not just doing the nostalgia circuit. Though she still loves her fans—and she’s often seen at events like Steel City Con with Dave Coulier and Candace Cameron Bure—her "day job" has shifted significantly.
Jodie is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor.
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She actually did the work. She didn't just go to rehab; she studied the science of it. In 2026, she’s a frequent keynote speaker at major events like the Behavioral Health Tech Conference. She’s not there to tell "funny stories from the set." She’s there to talk about the opioid crisis, the fentanyl epidemic, and the neurobiology of addiction.
What Jodie Sweetin is actually doing right now:
- Podcasting Her Truth: Between How Rude, Tanneritos! and her parenting podcast Never Thought I'd Say This, she’s basically on a permanent mic. She’s unfiltered. She talks about the "awkward conversations" parents have to have today about social media and substance use.
- The Lifetime/Hallmark Queen: She’s carved out a massive niche in TV movies. Most recently, she starred in Dateless to Dangerous: My Son's Secret Life (2025), where she played a mother dealing with a radicalized teen. It was a dark, gritty departure from her usual fare.
- Audiobook Revival: She recently re-recorded her 2009 memoir, unSweetined, adding a new introduction that reflects on her 15+ years of sobriety.
The "Fuller House" Effect and the Bond with Bob Saget
People always ask: do they actually like each other? The answer is a resounding yes.
The death of Bob Saget in 2022 was a massive turning point for the cast. Jodie has often credited Bob and Dave Coulier for giving her the confidence to find her voice. She even started doing stand-up comedy again after Bob passed, almost as a tribute to the man who treated her like a real daughter.
It’s interesting to watch the dynamic between Stephanie from Full House now and her "older sister" Candace Cameron Bure. They are politically very different. Like, polar opposites. While Candace has moved toward faith-based media at Great American Family, Jodie is a fierce progressive activist.
But they still show up for each other.
That’s the thing people miss. In a world of "cancel culture," the Tanner sisters have managed to stay family despite the friction. It’s probably the most "real world" thing about them.
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How to Follow Jodie Sweetin's Journey Today
If you’re looking to connect with what Jodie is doing now, don't just wait for a Full House rerun. Her work in the "real world" is far more interesting.
- Listen to the Podcasts: How Rude, Tanneritos! is a must for the nostalgia, but Awkward Conversations (partnered with the DEA) is where you see her expert-level advocacy.
- Watch the New Stuff: Check out The Jane Mysteries on Hallmark or her more dramatic Lifetime roles. She’s finally breaking out of the "sassy middle child" typecasting.
- Check Out the Book: If you haven't read unSweetined, the new 2025/2026 audiobook version is the definitive way to experience it. It’s raw, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s deeply human.
Jodie Sweetin has essentially lived three different lives before the age of 45. She was the child star, the cautionary tale, and now, the expert. She’s made it clear: she’s okay with being Stephanie Tanner forever. She’s just not letting that be the only thing she is.
Basically, she’s proved that you can have a "full house" and still find room to grow into your own person.
Your next step: To see the shift in Jodie's acting firsthand, track down her latest Lifetime film Dateless to Dangerous. It’s the best evidence of how much she’s evolved beyond the sitcom laugh track.