On the latest episode of his podcast Full House Rewind, Dave Coulier shared a memorable story about working with Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney on Full House. The late Rooney, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 93, appeared as Mr. Dreghorn, a grouchy character with a hidden soft side, in the 1994 episode “Arrest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
Reflecting on Rooney’s storied career, Coulier explained just how famous the actor once was. “From 15 to 25, he starred in 43 films,” Coulier said, marveling at Rooney’s early success. “At one point, he was the biggest name in Hollywood.”
While Rooney brought a touch of old Hollywood to the set, Coulier, along with co-stars John Stamos and Bob Saget, couldn’t help but notice an amusing quirk: Rooney always had a bigger, better story for any topic of conversation. “Every time we mentioned a subject, Mickey Rooney had a topper story,” he said. “So we started calling him ‘Topper.’ “
“We would talk about something and John would go, ‘I’m drumming with the Beach Boys’ and Mickey was like, ‘Oh man, the Beach Boys, I hung out with them.’ ”
Coulier recalled putting Rooney’s hockey claim to the test. “I asked if he shot left or right, and he said, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ And I told him, ‘Yes, it does!’” he laughed, noting that someone playing semi-pro would specify the league.
Despite the playful teasing, Rooney’s appearance on the show left an impression. In the episode, his character dons a Santa suit to bring joy to the kids, a role Rooney had mastered in classic holiday specials like Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Years later, Coulier reflected on what made Full House special. Speaking at 90s Con in 2024, he admitted that the cast wasn’t sure how the show would be received at first. “But seeing how funny everyone was—especially Jodie [Sweetin] and Candace [Cameron Bure]—made me realize we had something great,” he said.
Coulier’s stories highlight both the humor and heart that defined the Full House experience, with legends like Rooney adding their own unique flair to the show’s legacy.
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