In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jodie Sweetin was known to millions of viewers as Stephanie Tanner, the sassy middle child on the hit sitcom Full House. Alongside co-stars like John Stamos, Bob Saget, and the Olsen twins, Sweetin grew up on camera over the show’s 8 season run.
Now 40 years old, Jodie Sweetin has gone through extraordinary highs and lows in the public eye. As she continues acting and raising her two daughters, her Full House days are clearly not forgotten by fans who grew up with her memorable character Stephanie Tanner. This article will look at the former child star’s journey since leaving her iconic sitcom role behind.
Background Information
Born on January 19, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, Sweetin’s early life was marked by challenges.
Jodie was born in Los Angeles at the USC County Hospital. Her biological mother, Barbara, was incarcerated at the time of her birth.
Jodie’s biological father was also in prison for bad checks and drugs. Tragically, he was killed in a prison riot when Jodie was about nine months old. Jodie’s early life was marked by challenges, but she was adopted by her uncle Sam and his wife Janice, who provided her with a loving home. Jodie acknowledges the fortunate turn her life took, avoiding the potential pitfalls of the foster care system.
By the age of three, Jodie was already reading books, memorizing things, and showing a keen interest in performing. She recalls telling her mother she wanted to be a “modeler.” Jodie’s passion for entertainment was evident from a young age, and she often sought the spotlight during family gatherings.
Jodie’s first paid job was at the age of four, where she did commercials for brands like Sizzler and Oscar Meyer.
One particular Sizzler commercial was so successful that the ad company gifted her a dog, which she named Lacey.
By the age of five, Jodie landed a guest appearance on the show “Valerie,” where she played Pamela Poole. This role caught the attention of the producers of “Full House,” who cast her as Stephanie Tanner without an audition.
Full House
Jodie spent eight years on the show, from ages five to thirteen. During this period, she experienced the highs and lows of fame.
For instance, she recalls an overwhelming mall appearance in Des Moines, Iowa, where she had to be disguised as a boy and escorted out in a police car due to the massive turnout.
Despite her busy filming schedule, Jodie attended public school. Initially, she did schooling on set, but as the seasons progressed, she attended school in the morning and went to the set in the afternoon.
This balance allowed her to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Jodie credits her parents, especially her mother, for keeping her grounded. They weren’t interested in the Hollywood lifestyle and ensured Jodie had a regular existence.
Jodie speaks highly of her “Full House” co-stars and the environment on set. Everyone, from the cast members like Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, John Stamos, and Lori Loughlin to the directors and producers, was kind. This positive atmosphere played a significant role in ensuring she had a healthy experience as a child actor.
Life After Full House
After “Full House” ended when Jodie was 13, she began high school. She attended the Orange County High School for the Arts, where she was involved in a theater program. Despite her fame, Jodie yearned for a sense of normalcy and struggled to fit in.
Exposure to Drugs and Alcohol
Jodie’s first exposure to drugs and alcohol came during her high school years, away from the entertainment industry.
She recalls that addiction runs in her biological family, which made her more susceptible.
By the age of 15, she had already identified herself as an alcoholic. Jodie emphasizes that her struggles with addiction would have occurred regardless of her fame, but being in the public eye made it more noticeable.
High School Experiences
In high school, Jodie would drink alcohol even during class, often disguising her drink in a coffee mug. Despite this, she maintained good grades and was well-liked by teachers.
Jodie’s rebellious nature often led her to challenge rules and boundaries. She recalls the challenges of being famous in school, with students constantly whispering about her.
This made it difficult for her to discern who her genuine friends were. However, Jodie approached people with an open heart, even if it meant getting hurt.
Struggle with Self-Harm
Jodie opens up about her struggles with self-harm during her college years. She began cutting, which she later understood through therapy was an outward physical expression of internal pain.
When overwhelmed with emotions, she would resort to self-harm as a way to feel and process her pain.
First Attempt at Sobriety
At 18, after a particularly challenging night, Jodie’s then-boyfriend handed her the phone to speak to her mother.
This was the turning point where she realized she needed help. She took a short break, attempting to detox and re-evaluate her life.
During her return to college, she attended a class on Western mysticism and spirituality. That night, two members from Alcoholics Anonymous shared their stories, resonating deeply with Jodie.
She approached them after the class, seeking help, and attended her first 12-step meeting the next day.
Relapses and Challenges
Jodie’s journey to sobriety was marked by relapses. She recalls her time in treatment, where she would excel and then sabotage herself.
During her 20s, she relapsed multiple times, experimenting with various drugs, including speed, ecstasy, and cocaine.
Despite being married to a police officer, she managed to hide her drug use for a while. Her addiction and behavior strained her relationships, leading to confrontations and interventions from loved ones.
Marriage and Motherhood
At 24 or 25, Jodie met someone and impulsively decided to get married in Vegas after knowing him for only six weeks.
This marriage resulted in the birth of her older daughter. The responsibility of motherhood made her re-evaluate her life.
She realized the pain and resentment she held towards her biological mother and felt a deep desire to break the cycle.
This realization was a significant turning point for Jodie, pushing her towards genuine sobriety.
Life’s Challenges and Resilience
Jodie reflects on the challenges she faced in her early 30s. She lost her job, her place of residence, and was in the midst of a divorce. With two kids to care for, she found herself in a dire situation.
Despite these hardships, she managed to find a temporary place to stay, thanks to a friend who was away for three months.
Eventually, she moved into an apartment across the way, marking the first time she lived on her own without a partner.
Financial Struggles
Jodie candidly discusses her financial struggles during this period. She had significant debt, owing around $100,000 to the government in back taxes, which severely impacted her credit score.
Despite her fame, she faced real-world challenges like having to put items back while shopping at Target due to budget constraints.
Work in Treatment Centers
Jodie found work in treatment centers, helping those battling addiction. She emphasizes that she started at the bottom, earning around $10 or $12 an hour, performing tasks like taking out the trash and assisting detoxing clients.
People often recognized her from TV and were surprised to see her working in such a setting.
However, Jodie was determined to rebuild her life and was willing to start from scratch.
Where is Jodie Sweetin Today?
In recent years Sweetin has turned her life around. She starred in the Netflix Full House revival series Fuller House from 2016-2020, reprised her role as Stephanie Tanner.
She has also hosted several television specials and web series, competed on Dancing with the Stars, hosted her own podcast, and become an advocate for addiction and mental health awareness.
Fuller House
In a surprising turn of events, Jodie received a call about the potential revival of “Full House” as “Fuller House.”
The idea was to focus on the three girls from the original series, with John Stamos expressing interest in producing.
Jodie, along with Candace Cameron Bure and Andrea Barber, were on board with the idea. This pitch marked a significant shift in Jodie’s life, transitioning her back into the world of television.
After the pitch for “Fuller House,” she found herself back on the set that had been her childhood home. The experience was surreal, like walking into a childhood home that had been slightly remodeled.
The emotions were overwhelming, and she cherished the moments of reuniting with the cast. Jodie’s return to television was juxtaposed with her “normal” life. She recalls having to miss work to attend meetings related to “Fuller House.”
Jodie also ventured into other projects, including “Dancing with the Stars” and “Hollywood Darlings,” a show she produced, wrote for, and starred in. This period marked her exploration into adult comedy and finding her voice beyond the “Full House” persona.
Podcast
Jodie Sweetin has a podcast titled “Never Thought I’d Say This.” In the interview, she briefly promotes this podcast.
“Never Thought I’d Say This” is a podcast where Jodie Sweetin and her co-host, Celia Behar, discuss the challenges and hilarities of parenting.
They often share their own experiences as mothers, discussing topics that many parents can relate to, all while adding a touch of humor and candidness.
Marriage
Jodie touches upon her recent marriage in July to addiction therapist, Mescal Wasilewski and expressing immense love for her partner.
She believes she’s finally understood what she wants in a relationship and acknowledges her worthiness of a loving relationship.
Discovering Her Roots
Jodie’s journey of self-discovery led her to explore her biological roots. She learned about her biological father’s tragic death in prison from her adoptive parents.
They were honest with her, a fact she appreciates as it prevented additional layers of betrayal or confusion. Jodie’s biological mother remained a mystery for a long time.
Through DNA testing services like 23andMe, she discovered her mother had passed away in 2013. This revelation brought mixed emotions, but Jodie was determined to understand more about her lineage.
Jodie’s biological mother had other children, making Jodie a sibling to several individuals she had never met. Recently, she connected with one of her siblings from the East Coast.
This newfound connection offers a chance for Jodie to understand more about her family history and perhaps find a sense of closure.
Understanding and Forgiveness
Jodie’s journey to sobriety was also a journey of understanding and forgiveness. She began to understand the struggles her biological mother faced and forgave her for the pain she had caused.
This understanding allowed Jodie to break free from the resentment she held and focus on her healing and her daughter’s well-being.
She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and growth, noting that she’s been working on herself, especially in her late 30s and now at 40.
She’s been unraveling the complexities of her past and understanding her actions and motivations.
Gratitude and Reflection
Jodie expresses gratitude for the life she has today, attributing her success and well-being to her biological mother’s selfless decision to give her up for adoption.
This act allowed Jodie to have a life beyond her wildest dreams. She emphasizes the strength and courage it took for her mother to walk away, ensuring a better life for her child.
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