Who is Joey Gladstone in Full House?

Show

Full House

Played by

Dave Coulier

First episode

“Our Very First Show”Season 1, Episode 1, aired September 22, 1987

Role

Main cast

Network

ABC

Occupation

Stand-up comedian and kids' TV host

Show run

1987 to 1995

Also known as

Uncle Joey, Ranger Joe

Joey Gladstone is the class clown of the Full House household, a comedian who moves into the Tanners' garage room to help his best friend Danny raise three daughters. Played by Dave Coulier, he wins the girls over with impressions, puppets, and a big, soft heart.

On Full House, Joey Gladstone's story runs through Danny Tanner (Best Friend), Jesse Katsopolis (Radio Partner), Michelle Tanner (Honorary Niece), D.J. Tanner (Honorary Niece), and Stephanie Tanner (Honorary Niece).

Who is Joey Gladstone?

Joey has been Danny's best friend since childhood. When Danny's wife dies, Joey moves in alongside Jesse to share the work of raising D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle. The family even builds him his own room in the garage so he has a place to practice his act.

He spends most of the series trying to make it as a comedian. Along the way he and Jesse start their own business together, co-host an afternoon radio show, and Joey lands a job as Ranger Joe, the host of a local children's TV show, which suits him perfectly.

Personality and comedy

Joey is the kid among the grown-ups. He does cartoon voices and celebrity impressions, talks through a woodchuck puppet, and is happiest when he is making a child laugh. His big comic gesture, two fingers chopping the air while he says "Cut it out!", became a signature of the show.

Under the jokes, he is insecure about not having a family or a steady career of his own, and several episodes dig into that. He can be childish about money and chores, but when one of the girls needs a friend who will listen, Joey is usually the first one there.

Key storylines

Many of Joey's best episodes are about his career and his past. On a trip to perform in Las Vegas he comes face to face with his strict, estranged father, who never supported his comedy. In season five he auditions to replace the retiring host of a children's show and rescues the broadcast when it goes off the rails, becoming Ranger Joe.

He and Jesse also become partners on the radio, a pairing that tests their friendship when Joey starts making jokes at Jesse's expense. In season six he gives D.J. a used Pontiac Firebird for her sixteenth birthday, and when police suspect he stole it, the family's doubts hurt him so much that he thinks about moving out.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Dave Coulier, a stand-up comedian and voice actor himself, played Joey for all eight seasons, a natural fit for a character built around impressions and funny voices. He was one of the seven original cast members, counting both Olsen twins, who stayed for the full run.

Coulier returned as Joey in the Netflix sequel Fuller House, where Joey has moved to Las Vegas, married, and become the father of four kids before the family heads back to San Francisco.

Joey Gladstone: frequently asked questions

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