Death of actor and comedian Bob Saget shakes entertainment community – Guilfordian
Colin Smith, Staff WriterJanuary 22, 2022
Wikimedia.org
“Full House” star Bob Saget pictured in 2005 // Animalparty via Wikimedia
On Jan. 9, comedian and actor Bob Saget was found dead in his Orlando hotel room while he was on tour, the New York Times reported. He was 65 years old.
As of Jan. 21, an official cause of death has not yet been determined. The U.S. Sun, an American online version of the U.K.-published Sun, reported that a preliminary autopsy conducted on Jan. 10 showed no signs of drug use or foul play. According to TMZ, the actor died in his sleep.
Saget was best known for his role as Danny Tanner, father to D.J., Stephanie and Michelle Tanner, on the late 1980s-1990s sitcom “Full House,” and was also the host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”
According to the New York Times, Saget was born on May 17,1956, in Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University in 1978 before finding his way into comedy clubs. Although he may have had a clean image on the show “Full House,” he was known for his off-color and profane stand-up comedy.
Elizabeth Ritson-Lavender, a visiting professor of theater at Guilford College, provided her thoughts on the late actor.
“Saget found the perfect bridge to connect people from a variety of differences: humor. Most people remember watching ‘America’s Home Videos’ with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or whomever and having the joy of laughing together…no matter…their age,” Ritson said.
Guilford junior Clay Dilday expressed his feelings on Saget’s death.
“It was very sad to see that he passed…his legacy will be how he brought joy and laughter to many people’s lives through doing what he loves to do,” Dilday said.
Dilday also commented on Saget’s role on “Full House,” saying: “He was a caring father on the show and always tried to put his kids first as a single parent.”
Many of Saget’s friends and former co-stars have started to open up about his death.
According to People Magazine, Saget’s “Full House” co-star John Stamos shared his grief on Twitter, saying: “Mornings are hard…I miss getting a text from him in the morning.”
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” which aired Jan. 20, Saget’s widow, Kelly Rizzo, said “he had the biggest heart of anyone I’d ever known.”
According to WABC-TV in New York City, Rizzo said that their love story began when Saget direct messaged her on social media. They married in 2018 after dating for three years.
“Oh gosh. Bob did a minute of stand-up during our vows,” she said, laughing.
The Today Show reported that Saget’s closest friends and family gathered for a private funeral in Los Angeles on Friday, January 14 to pay their respects and say their goodbyes to the actor. Some of his co-stars in attendance were Lori Loughlin, John Stamos and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
The entertainment world has been shaken by Saget’s loss, but Saget’s caring personality and ability to bring people together through his comedy and roles on “Full House” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will be remembered for years to come.
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