Jodie Sweetin has been a Hollywood staple for decades, with one role standing out above all others. Yes, her portrayal of the lovable Stephanie Tanner on “Full House.” But instead of shying away from the iconic role, the Hallmark favorite has grown to embrace it. She revealed she’s come to terms with the fact that she will forever be known as the middle Tanner sister.
In an exclusive interview with People, Sweetin reflected on her journey from childhood star to adult actress. Admitting that while the fame that came with the popular 90s show had its challenges, she’s now at peace with it and what it represents to others. “I will be Stephanie Tanner forever,” she shared. “And I’ve come to be really okay with that over the last 20 years.”
Jodie Sweetin & Her Iconic Stephanie Tanner Role
It’s safe to say that Stephanie Tanner became a pop culture staple since her introduction on the show. For many fans, she’ll always be that quirky, lovable girl trying to figure out life’s lessons. For Sweetin, however, it took time to embrace the enduring association with the role. “I kind of walked away from the business at some point in my late 20s and was working in other fields,” she reveals. “I was totally fine, I was happy.”
But everything changed when the opportunity to reprise her role in “Fuller House” came about. The Netflix reboot ran from 2016 to 2020, gaining new fans along the way. The show went on to star the original cast, bringing back the beloved family on screen. “Getting the chance to come back and do “Fuller” and bring Stephanie back to life was amazing and wonderful,” Sweetin reflected. She noted that the show helped her reignite her career as well as helped her rediscover her passion for acting.
Moving Beyond the ‘Child Star’ Label
While many former child stars have struggled with being typecast or defined by their early roles, Sweetin notes that it’s a common challenge in Hollywood. For Sweetin, it was a matter of letting people see her as an adult. This despite being the same character for nearly four decades.
That being said, she made it known she wasn’t bitter about the situation, rather she learned to evolve. She added, “For a while, people only think that you’re capable of the thing that they’ve come to see you as….It also gave me the opportunity to do other things because I think finally people were like, ‘Oh, you’re an adult now.’”
In fact, Sweetin says she has no resentment toward being forever associated with her iconic character. On the “Barely Famous” podcast, she shared that fans still call her “Stephanie,” and she’s completely fine with it. “I get to do what I do and continue to do it 37, 38 years later because people fell in love with Stephanie,” Sweetin says. “Like, I’m not mad at that.”
Despite her being known for the iconic show, Jodie Sweetin has built a successful career starring in numerous films. This including Hallmark’s “The Jane Mysteries: A Deadly Prescription,” “Love’s Second Act,” “A Cozy Christmas Inn,” “Love’s Second Act,” and more.
A New Chapter & Embracing Her Truth
Beyond her acting roles, Sweetin has also been pretty open when it comes to her personal journey. This includes her struggles with addiction and her road to recovery, especially in the public eye. The 43-year-old recently announced a new project in the works, which is the official audiobook version of her 2009 memoir “unSweetined.”
Revisiting those painful but pivotal years, Sweetin is said to include a new introduction that reflects her growth and life changes throughout the years. Recording the audiobook was a deeply personal experience for Sweetin, one in which she hopes listeners connect with her vulnerability. “I was really vulnerable in the process of recording and I hope listeners feel that connection with every word,” she told People.
Since her sobriety in 2008, Sweetin has used her platform to advocate for addiction recovery. Throughout her career, she has shared her story in hopes of helping others. “I think coming out and talking about it honestly…gives such an understanding to it that it becomes a little bit demystified,” she said in a 2022 interview with Jezebel.
From starring in heartwarming 90s TV shows and Hallmark films, to sharing her dedicated journey, the actress has embraced the twists and turns of her path with full grace. Her journey courageously serves as a testament to her resilience and talent. She’s proved that you can celebrate the past without being defined by it. Sometimes, the most iconic roles come with the biggest life lessons.
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Hallmark’s Jodie Sweetin Says She’s Grown to Accept Her Reputation as a Former Child Star