Jodie Sweetin ‘Never Connected’ With Her Birth Parents But Accepts Their ‘Healthiest Decision’ Of Giving Her Up

May 06, 2022

“Full House” was a highly loved American sitcom that was on television from 1987 to 1995. Over the course of the series, fans were able to watch the characters – and many of the stars who played them – grow up. The show followed widowed father Danny Tanner, played by the late Bob Saget, seeking help from his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and Joey Gladstone, played by John Stamos and Dave Coulier respectively. 

Together, they raised Danny’s three daughters: D.J., Stephanie and Michelle Tanner. While Candace Cameron took on the role of the eldest daughter, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen teamed up to play Michelle together and Jodie Sweetin played the role of Stephanie.

The series was a massive success and helped show families ways to cope with grief, learn from their mistakes and find new and fun ways to bond together. It was such a success that it even launched a sequel series more than 20 years later called “Fuller House,” with the majority of the main cast members returning. The sequel series ended in 2020.

While “Full House” showed many of the wonderful moments families have together, it also helped people learn how to work through tough situations. This is something that came in handy for Sweetin, as she went through some hardships following her time after the end of “Full House.” Fortunately, Sweetin is in a better place now and is continuing to regain her footing in the acting world. She has also opened up more about what it was like having an inter-family adoption.

Sweetin was born on Jan. 19, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. When she was still extremely young, Sweetin began appearing in several television commercials and small guest roles. In 1987, she was cast as Stephanie Tanner on “Full House.”

However, life wasn’t always as amazing as one might think it would be for such a popular actress. Sweetin encountered several hardships following her time on “Full House,” including three failed marriages and substance abuse issues. According to E! News, she was out of work for many years following her time on the sitcom aside from a few jobs here and there, and the actress fell into a downward spiral, resulting in her going in and out of rehab many times.

“From a very early age, I learned to balance work, life and responsibilities,” Sweetin said. “I lost that ability at around 20, and I had no idea how to balance anything, but when I was 5, I was great at it.”

Fortunately, Sweetin worked hard at overcoming addiction and got sober for good in late 2008. She then went on to work at a drug rehab center and earned her degree as a drug and alcohol counselor, and is now an advocate for recovery.

The actress later reprised her role as Stephanie on “Fuller House.” Although the show starred many of its original cast members, including Saget, Stamos, Coulier and Cameron, it received mixed reviews. In 2019, Sweetin started a parenting podcast called “Never Thought I’d Say This,” alongside her friend Celia Behar, who is also a licensed mental health counselor.

Sweetin has also started to open up more about what it was like being adopted by her uncle and his wife when she was just 9 months old. According to TODAY, Sweetin opened up about her adoption more on the podcast, “Conversations with Olivia Jade.”

Sam, the man who Sweetin considers her father, first saw Sweetin at his ex-wife’s home. At the time, he and his wife Janice were hoping to start a family of their own. Sweetin explained:

“My parents really wanted to have kids and they were having some struggles, so it wound up that they were able to adopt me sort of through that chain. It’s an interesting story, and actually, I think it’s a story that happens a lot. People don’t really talk about it, because I think there’s this weird sense of shame if there’s an inter-family adoption. But I think that inter-family adoption happens a lot, so I like sharing my story now.”

According to TODAY, Sweetin’s biological parents had not been able to care for her, thus she was adopted. She also revealed she “never connected” with her birth parents at any point. However, she doesn’t hold any resentment toward them. “They actually made the healthiest decision for me by allowing me to be adopted by another family that could provide better,” Sweetin explained.

Nowadays, Sweetin is continuing to find work as an actress and is showing just how far she’s come. According to TODAY, Sweetin has a happy love story in her real life as well, as she became engaged to her partner Mescal Wasilewski in Jan. 2022.

“It’s wonderful,” the actress said about her recent engagement. Sweetin’s family also approves. She explained: “My kids love him. My parents love him. We have a really great little family dynamic here.”

What do you think about Jodie Sweetin’s life and career? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to any “Full House” fan you know!