Jodie Sweetin, best known for her role as the lovable Stephanie Tanner on Full House, has made peace with, and even grown to appreciate, the lasting connection people have with her iconic character.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Sweetin shared that she’s “totally okay” with being associated with the role for the rest of her life, proudly declaring, “I will be Stephanie Tanner forever.”
Reflecting on her 43 years, Sweetin admitted that it took time to accept this association. “Over the last 20 years, I’ve come to be really okay with that,” she said, acknowledging how her character from Full House has stayed with fans for decades. Sweetin has not only embraced this legacy but sees it as a vital part of her career’s ongoing success.
The actress, who recently starred in the Lifetime movie Dateless to Dangerous: My Son’s Secret Life, revealed that returning as Stephanie in the Fuller House Netflix sequel reignited her career after she had stepped away from acting in her late 20s.
“I kind of walked away from the business…and was working in other fields, and I was totally fine. I was happy,” Sweetin recalled. “But getting the chance to come back and do Fuller House and bring Stephanie back to life was amazing and wonderful.”
Sweetin’s return to her famous role was also a turning point, as it allowed her to show a different side of herself to fans and industry professionals.
“It gave me the opportunity to do other things because I think finally people were like, ‘Oh, you’re an adult now,’” she added, explaining that being a former child star can sometimes lead to typecasting, where people only associate you with the roles that made you famous.
Sweetin pointed out that this is a common struggle for many actors, citing examples like Dakota Fanning, Jodie Foster, and Ron Howard, who all faced similar challenges.
“For a while, people only think that you’re capable of the thing that they’ve come to see you as,” she said, sharing that it often takes time for audiences to see beyond a specific character or role.
Despite the challenge of being permanently linked to Stephanie Tanner, Sweetin expressed gratitude for the connection. In fact, she doesn’t mind being called “Stephanie” by fans.
In a recent episode of Barely Famous, Sweetin told host Kailyn Lowry that she feels no resentment about it, recognizing that it’s part of what has allowed her to continue her career. “I get to do what I do and continue to do it 37, 38 years later because people fell in love with Stephanie,” Sweetin explained. “Like, I’m not mad at that.”
Since Full House ended in 1995, Sweetin has built a successful career, starring in multiple Hallmark movies like Finding Santa (2017), A Cozy Christmas Inn (2022), and The Heiress and the Handyman (2024). She credits her loyal fan base for supporting her throughout her career.
“Our fans have been so wonderful and followed us through our whole careers,” she said. “I have a really incredible fan base that’s excited to see me do something different.”
Jodie Sweetin’s journey from child star to accomplished actress is a testament to her resilience and appreciation for the role that made her a household name. While she may forever be Stephanie Tanner to many, Sweetin has proven she’s so much more than just the middle Tanner daughter.
