Cast members from the beloved sitcom reunited in Beverly Hills to celebrate the actor's philanthropic honor, which raised more than $1 million for scleroderma research.
John Stamos accepted the Bob Saget Legacy Award on Tuesday evening during the annual Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine gala at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The benefit evening raised more than $1 million to support the Scleroderma Research Foundation, continuing a decades-long charitable tradition established by the late comedian. While several former castmates gathered in person to celebrate Stamos, longtime friend Dave Coulier could not attend the Los Angeles event and sent a pre-taped video congratulating his longtime co-star. Coulier, who played Joey Gladstone on the popular sitcom Full House, expressed deep affection and admiration for Stamos, celebrating their enduring friendship and mutual dedication to honoring their departed castmate.
The charity event brought together key members of the Tanner household on the red carpet. Candace Cameron Bure, Lori Loughlin, and Jodie Sweetin posed alongside Stamos before heading into the gala ballroom. Their joint appearance marked a visible display of unity for an ensemble that has remained interconnected across multiple decades. Kelly Rizzo, Saget's widow, served as a co-chair for the fundraiser alongside musician John Mayer and comedian Jeff Ross, while Saget's adult daughters, Aubrey and Lara, also attended to support the foundation's clinical and scientific initiatives.
Speaking with reporters prior to the dinner, Bure reflected on the enduring connection shared among the former cast members. She emphasized that their gathering was driven by love for Saget and an ongoing desire to sustain the advocacy work he championed throughout his life. The event featured performances and appearances by prominent entertainers, all directing donor attention toward advancing therapies for scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disorder that causes progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs.
Coulier's absence from the ballroom came amid positive personal news regarding his health. During red carpet conversations, Sweetin provided an encouraging update about the comedian, telling journalists that Coulier is doing great following intensive medical treatment. Coulier previously shared that he had entered remission after confronting back-to-back cancer diagnoses, having undergone extensive therapies for stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma and subsequent tongue cancer before receiving clear scans in early 2026.
Although Coulier remained at home, his pre-taped tribute delivered humor and warmth to the audience. In the video played during the program, Coulier congratulated Stamos on receiving the legacy distinction and reaffirmed the profound bond forged over their years of working and grieving together. The tribute drew warm applause from attendees, reinforcing the sentiment that the extended cast continues to operate as an interconnected family circle. That mutual devotion was evident during Coulier's chemotherapy in late 2024, when Stamos wore a bald cap to visit his ailing friend, an affectionate gesture of solidarity that Coulier publicly defended as an expression of their brotherhood.
Saget became an active champion for the Scleroderma Research Foundation after his older sister, Gay Saget, died from complications of the disease in 1994 at age 47. He joined the foundation's board of directors and spearheaded the Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine benefit for decades, blending stand-up performances with fine dining curated by chef Susan Feniger to generate millions of dollars for scientific research. Following Saget's sudden death in January 2022 at age 65, foundation leaders established the Bob Saget Legacy Award in 2023 to acknowledge individuals who employ their public reach to sustain the cause. Past honorees of the distinction include Ross.
When accepting the honor, Stamos offered an emotional tribute to Saget's generosity and personal loyalty. Recalling how Saget offered steady guidance without judgment or lecture following Stamos' 2015 arrest for driving under the influence, the actor credited his late colleague with providing unconditional encouragement during difficult periods. Stamos highlighted his friend's enduring impact on everyone around him. "Bob had the biggest heart, and he used it to make a real difference in people's lives," Stamos told the audience, emphasizing that Saget went out of his way to show genuine affection. "I know that sounds simple, but he didn't just love people. He made sure you felt it." Organizers concluded the night by celebrating more than $1,007,000 in new donations to expand clinical trials and patient care.
Source:
People Dave Coulier Sends Video Congratulating John Stamos on Being Awarded the Bob Saget Legacy Award: October 14, 2026
Scleroderma Research Foundation / PR Newswire August 21, 2026 / October 13, 2026
WFAA / TEGNA / AP Wire October 15, 2026