John Phillip Stamos (pronounced /ˈsteɪmoʊs/ STAY-mohs; born August 19, 1963) is an American actor best known for his work in television, especially as Jesse Katsopolis on the ABC sitcom Full House. Since the cancellation of that show in 1995, Stamos has appeared in numerous television films and series. From 2006 to 2009, Stamos had a starring role on the NBC medical drama ER as Dr. Tony Gates. In September 2009, he began playing the role of Albert in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.[1][2]Contents [hide] 1 Early life and career 2 Full House 3 Post Full House 4 Music and theater 5 Personal life 6 Music 7 Filmography 7.1 Television 8 Awards and nominations 9 References 10 External links
[edit] Early life and career
Stamos was born in Cypress, California, the son of Loretta (née Phillips), a model who was an Irish immigrant, and Bill Stamos, an immigrant from Greece.[3][4] Stamos began his acting career with a role on the television show General Hospital as Blackie Parrish, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1984. Then General Hospital casting director Gary Price noted that Stamos did not read for any particular parts.[citation needed] His stint on General Hospital got him noticed with daytime viewers, but by 1984 Stamos decided to move on when he auditioned for, and got the lead role, in a short-lived CBS sitcom called Dreams, in which he played an aspiring American musician. [edit] Full House
Stamos in February 1990 This section requires expansion.
ABC's Full House gradually became a hit, and the show solidified Stamos's career. In the first season, his character's full name was credited as Jesse Cochran. During the second season he then changed his character's last name to Katsopolis to highlight his Greek heritage, according to Jeff Franklin. He played Jesse who lived with his brother in-law Danny (Bob Saget), whose deceased wife was Jesse's sister. He helped raise his young nieces DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle. He was known to be the "bad boy" at first, until he fell in love with and married Rebecca Donaldson-Katsopolis and had twin boys Nicholas and Alexander, better known as Nicky and Alex. Although the series was canceled after eight seasons, he still maintains a close relationship with his co-stars Bob Saget, Jodie Sweetin, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The show is still shown on ABC Family today in re-runs. [edit] Post Full House
Since the show's cancellation, Stamos has appeared in numerous made-for-television films, stage productions, television series and commercials. He had starring roles in the television series Thieves (2001), and Jake in Progress (2005). Both shows ran for several episodes before cancellation. In 2003, Stamos guest-starred in Friends, appearing in the episode The One with the Donor, playing a man who went to Chandler and Monica's apartment for dinner, not knowing he was actually being interviewed to be a sperm donor.
In the controversial A&E television movie Wedding Wars (2006), he starred as Shel, a gay wedding planner. He stated that his performance reflected his support for same-sex marriages.[5] He has made several voice acting appearances such as in the MTV animated series Clone High in the episode, Changes: The Big Prom: The Sex Romp: The Season Finale, where he played himself, and as the What's Global Warming Penguin in Bob Saget's parody film Farce of the Penguins.
In 2006, Stamos guest starred in 2 episodes in season 12 of ER as paramedic-turned-intern Tony Gates. In 2006, at the start of ER's thirteenth season, he joined the cast of ER as a series regular. Executive producer John Wells reported[citation needed] how he wanted him earlier the season before but Stamos was contracted with Jake in Progress. Shortly after that show was canceled, Stamos was brought aboard as a series regular.
In February 2008, Stamos appeared in the television adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun. In August 2008, Stamos was announced as Roastmaster of The Roast of Bob Saget on Comedy Central.[6]
His most current work is an appearance on the hit show Entourage as himself .
On June 8, 2010, it was announced that John Stamos will portray Carl Howell, a new love interest for Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), in the second season on the popular television show Glee.[7][8] [edit] Music and theater
Stamos also has an active music career, having appeared on Broadway as the Emcee in Cabaret, and also in Nine and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. He is also proficient at the drums, keyboards, guitar, bass and various percussion instruments. In 1990, he played drums and recorded with The Beach Boys on the title track of the comedy Problem Child. Stamos had appeared in the music video for The Beach Boys's 1988 hit "Kokomo", playing the conga. He later appeared singing lead vocals on the song "Forever" (written by Dennis Wilson) on their 1992 album Summer in Paradise. Stamos also played in the band The Signals. He continues to tour with The Beach Boys (usually as a drummer), appearing with them on the March 30, 2010 episode of ABC's Dancing With The Stars. In that appearance, Stamos played drums, congos, and guitar. Stamos toured with the Beach Boys in the spring of 2010, including an appearance at Fort Myers, Florida.[9]
Stamos performed the Billy Joel song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" on the 2006 charity album Unexpected Dreams – Songs From the Stars.
On March 30, 2009, he announced that he would participate in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.[10] Stamos won the 2009-2010 Golden Icon Award for best actor in a musical for his performance in the 2009 Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.[11] [edit] Personal life
Stamos in November 2009
In 1994, he met Rebecca Romijn at a Victoria's Secret fashion show, where she was modeling. Two months later, the pair began dating.[12] On September 19, 1998, the couple married. The couple separated in April 2004 and divorced on March 1, 2005.
In 2007, Stamos arrived in Australia for a promotional tour. He appeared on a sketch on The Nation and an interview on Mornings with Kerri-Anne during which his behavior was erratic, at one point blaming a reporter's bad review of his acting on his "small penis." A spokesperson for the network initially told reporters that it was due to jet-lag, but Stamos later states that it was in fact due to Ambien, a prescription sleeping medication.[13] In an interview with Brandon Voss of The Advocate in October 2009, Stamos finally admitted that he had been "plastered" during the Mornings with Kerri-Anne interview, blaming his previous excuses on publicists.[14]
When Stamos was a kid, he was told mistakenly by his family doctor that he had a hernia. He underwent surgery, but it turned out that there was no hernia present. The procedure left Stamos with an odd looking belly button, which he showed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien after pressure from Conan and Tom Selleck. Selleck and O'Brien both showed their belly buttons to make Stamos feel better.
Stamos was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 16, 2009.[15]
On November 28, 2009 Stamos was the target in an alleged extortion plot by Marquette, Michigan residents Allison Lenore Coss and Scott Edward Sippola.[16] According to an FBI affidavit, Coss had photos from 2004 of Stamos at a party in Florida that Sippola claimed showed Stamos using cocaine in 2004 and performing statutory rape.[17] The pair then allegedly demanded Stamos purchase the pictures for $680,000 or they would sell them to the tabloids. FBI agent Leslie Hahn, acting as a friend of Stamos who agreed to meet with the pair, arrested the two on December 7, 2009 at Sawyer International Airport. Sippola is the co-owner/manager of the nightclub The Mixx (formerly known as The Matrixx) and the adjoining Skyboxx, where Coss also worked. An extortion trial was held in Marquette, Michigan where Stamos testified. The FBI has also testified that no photos were ever found. [18]
On July 15, 2010, Coss and Sippola were convicted on all charges of extortion and conspiracy and will face sentencing in early October, 2010, facing a possibility of a maximum nine years in federal prison.
Stamos, who was not in the courtroom when the verdicts were read, but arrived shortly afterward, released a statement.
"I would like to thank the court, the FBI and the US Attorney's office for their swift and efficient dealings in connection with this case," Stamos said. "I am shocked and perplexed how individuals could fabricate so many false stories in an effort to defend a crime. I agreed to be a witness for a federal criminal prosecution and endured countless false accusations about my behavior and appropriateness."
Stamos said the allegations made during the trial regarding an inappropriate relationship with Coss in 2004 are completely untrue.
"These slanderous allegations to smear my reputation were part of their defense to redirect attention away from the federal crime of extortion. There was no hot tub, no drugs, no nudity and nothing sexual in nature involved in my friendship with this woman. They lied about everything from a pregnancy to compromising photos," Stamos said. "I'm grateful these two criminals have been found guilty and I plan to go home to be with my family and friends and prepare to get back to work." [19]
Stamos frequently drums for The Beach Boys when they tour during the summer. He usually sings Dennis Wilson's "Forever" during the set. "Forever" was also featured on a Full House as a video in which Stamos sings to Becky at their wedding.
His family's last name was originally Stamatopoulos (Greek: Σταματόπουλος) but his grandparents shortened the name to Stamos after they moved to the United States from Greece.[20] ('-opoulos' is a common Greek suffix in surnames, meaning "child of"; 'Stamos' is the root.) [edit] Music
Forever The music was made for the Stamos character in the TV series, Full House. John performed the song in the episode where Jesse Katsopolis, his character, demonstrates the video clip of the song to the family.
Stamos performed with John Fogerty on April 24, 2010 during one of the Tampa Bay Rays Post-Game Concerts. Stamos rotated between the drums & bass guitar through out the concert. [edit] FilmographyYear Title Role Other notes 1986 Never Too Young to Die Lance Stargrove 1991 Born to Ride Cpl. Grady Westfall 1997 Private Parts Himself Cameo appearance 2000 Dropping Out Ronny 2001 My Best Friend's Wife Steve Richards 2002 Femme Fatale Cheesy Agent Cameo appearance Run Ronnie Run Himself 2003 Party Monster Talk Show Host 2004 I Am Stamos Himself Short film Knots Cal Scoppa 2007 Farce of the Penguins What's Global Warming Penguin Voice role Direct-to-DVD release 2010 Father of Invention post-production
[edit] TelevisionYear Title Role Other notes 1982 General Hospital Blackie Parrish 1982–1984 1984 Dreams Gino Minnelli 12 episodes 1985 Alice in Wonderland Messenger TV movie 1986 You Again? Matt Willows 26 episodes 1987 Full House Jesse Katsopolis 192 episodes, 1987–1995 1989 The New Mickey Mouse Club 1 episode: "Guest Day" 1990 Daughter of the Streets Joey TV movie 1991 Captive Robert Knott TV movie 1992 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Jesse Katsopolis 1 episode: "Hangin' with Michelle" 1993 The Disappearance of Christina Joe Seldon TV movie Tales from the Crypt Johnny 1 episode: "Till Death Do We Part" 1994 Fatal Vows: The Alexandra O'Hara Story Nick Pagan TV movie 1997 Tracey Takes On... Rob Trasca 1 episode: "Movies" A Match Made in Heaven Tom Rosner TV movie 1998 The Marriage Fool Robert Walsh TV movie 1999 Sealed with a Kiss Bennett Blake TV movie 2000 Fortunate Son Unsold TV pilot The Beach Boys: An American Family Drummer TV miniseries Uncredited role/Executive producer Emmy Award nomination - "Outstanding Miniseries" How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale Tom Nathan TV movie 2001 Thieves Johnny 10 episodes 2003 Friends Zach 1 episode: "The One With the Donor" The Reagans John Sears TV movie 2005 The Andy Milonakis Show Himself 1 episode: Season 1, Episode 3 Jake in Progress Jake Phillips 21 episodes, 2005–2006 ER Dr. Tony Gates 65 episodes, 2005–2009 2006 Wedding Wars Shel Grandy TV movie 2008 A Raisin in the Sun Karl Lindner TV movie The Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget Himself TV special The Two Mr.Kissels Andrew Kissel TV movie 2010 Entourage Himself Season 7 Glee Carl Howell Season 2
[edit] Awards and nominations
Daytime Emmy Awards 1983: Nominated, "Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series" - General Hospital
Emmy Awards 2000: Nominated, "Outstanding Miniseries" - The Beach Boys: An American Family (shared w/producers)
Golden Icon Awards 2009-2010: Won, "Best Actor, Musical" - Bye Bye Birdie
Soapy Awards 1983: Won, "Most Exciting New Actor" - General Hospital
TV Land Awards 2004: Nominated, "Quintessential Non-Traditional Family" - Full House (shared w/castmembers) 2007: Won, "Favorite Elvis Impersonation" - Full House
Young Artist Awards 1983: Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Daytime Series" - General Hospital 1984: Won, "Best Young Actor in a Daytime Series" - General Hospital 1985: Nominated, "Best Young Actor in a Television Comedy Series" - Dreams
