So many critics just ripped the show," says Loughlin (at home in L.A.). "But we brought joy and happiness to a lot of children." PHOTO BY: Dorothy Low |
Rebecca Donaldson
She was hired for a six-episode guest spot in 1988 as Uncle Jesse's girlfriend, but Lori Loughlin stayed for seven years. "I kind of knew the first day that I was going to be there for a long time," says Loughlin, 35. "I felt I fit in immediately." The rest of the cast thought so too. "There was never a formal announcement," says castmate Dave Coulier, "but Lori brought a female perspective, which brought a nice balance to a show with three guys." The girls in the cast idolized their older female costar. "I had my first-ever kiss on the show," recalls Candace Cameron Bure. "I asked Lori, 'Am I supposed to keep my eyes open or closed?' She said closed. You wouldn't really want to ask anyone, but you knew you could ask her." After Full House folded, Loughlin starred with Tony Danza in the short-lived sitcom Hudson Street. "To have a show that ran as long as Full House is rare," she says. Lately she has been focusing on her family: husband Mossimo Giannulli, 37 (a designer whose once high-flying sportswear company is now being sued in bankruptcy court), and daughters Isabella, 21 months, and Olivia, 9 months. "I love acting, and I won't give it up," says Loughlin, "but right now, raising my kids is a full-time job." |