An empty house

Lauren Runde, Assistant A&E Editor

Unexpected. This is the word that best describes the loss of American stand-up comedian, actor and television host Bob Saget. On Sunday January 9, 2022, Saget, 65, was found unresponsive by hotel staff members at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida while in the midst of a stand-up tour. Saget was most famously known for his role as Danny Tanner on Full House, as well as his role as television host for America’s Funniest Home Videos. “Thirty-five years ago, we came together as a TV family, but we became a real family. And now we grieve as a family. Bob made us laugh until we cried. Now our tears flow in sadness, but also with gratitude for all the beautiful memories of our sweet, kind, hilarious, cherished Bob,” the cast of Full House said in a joint statement. Many people grew up with Saget, as Full House ran from the 1980s through the 1990s. Many were drawn to the show because of his character’s witty personality, as well as the family-friendly content that was entertaining and relatable. From 2016 to 2020, Saget reprised his role as Danny Tanner in a reboot of the show called Fuller House. Not only did Saget’s acting roles aid in his success but his career in comedy also helped him become more successful. However, in 2020 when the Covid-19 broke out, Saget was forced to go online and thus turned to podcasts to continue on with his comedy. Saget launched his own podcast called “Bob Saget’s Here For You” in order to fill people’s lives with laughter during the tough quarantine period. It is said by many that Saget was the sweetest guy and was always there for all his friends. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel said in a tribute to Saget that while his son was in the hospital for a serious heart issue, Saget was calling to make sure everything was alright and Kimmel was doing well. Similarly, “Saturday Night Live” star Pete Davidson also grieved. “Bob Saget was one of the nicest men on the planet. When I was younger and several times throughout our friendship he helped me get through some rough mental health stuff. He stayed on the phone with my mom for hours trying to help in any way he could…He would check in on me and make sure I was okay,” Davidson said. It is not uncommon these days to see celebrities stirring up controversy or getting into feuds with one another. However, Bob Saget was known to lift others up and had never been caught up in any drama with other celebrities. “I have no words. Bob was one of the best human beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much,” Candace Cameron Bure, who played the role of Saget’s daughter on Full House, said. Many feel sad and empty with Saget’s passing but there are also many who have reflected on his kindness, generosity, and humor and have decided to look at the positive impact he has made, as well as the amazing legacy he left behind.