You might know Bob Saget as the iconic Danny Tanner from the beloved sitcom “Full House,” but did you know another actor, John Posey, originally played the role in the unaired pilot? For Actor John Posey, an Atlanta-based comedian at the time, landing the part of Danny Tanner was a dream come true, marking his first starring role in a potentially huge network TV show. However, his dream was short-lived, turning into a memorable anecdote in Hollywood’s casting history. This is the story of actor John Posey and how he almost became America’s favorite TV dad.
Posey recounts the pivotal moment that changed his career trajectory during an interview with Yahoo TV. “It made for a long drive, as you can imagine,” he recalls, detailing his journey from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 1987. Fresh from a successful stint with the comedy group Comedia, Posey caught the eye of an ABC executive who scouted him after seeing their show. This led to an audition and, surprisingly quickly, the lead role in the pilot for “Full House.”
Initially, Posey wasn’t the network’s first choice. He later discovered that Bob Saget and Paul Reiser were the preferred candidates, but both were tied to other commitments. “How you go from those guys to me is kind of a mystery, because we couldn’t be more different,” Posey humorously admits, acknowledging the contrasting comedic styles and personas. Posey’s background was rooted in “Saturday Night Live”-style, physical comedy, vastly different from the wholesome, family-oriented tone of “Full House.”
Despite the stylistic shift, Posey filmed the pilot. Reflecting on his performance, he remains uncertain about its quality. “In all honesty, if somebody were to ask me now, I have no idea whether I was good in that pilot or not,” Posey confesses. The show’s saccharine nature was a departure from the cynical sitcoms he grew up watching, such as “All in the Family” and “Welcome Back, Kotter.” Adding to the challenge was the novelty of handling infants throughout the shoot. Nevertheless, the pilot was greenlit by ABC with Posey in the lead role.
However, the initial success was fleeting. About a month later, Posey received the news that would change everything. The call came while he was driving back to Los Angeles, filled with anticipation for the upcoming series. His agent delivered the unexpected blow: Bob Saget was being tested for the role of Danny Tanner.
Posey vividly recalls the moment: “I was in Mississippi. My pager went off… I get a phone call, go to the phone booth… and it was my agent saying, ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but for some reason they’re testing Bob Saget.'” Unbeknownst to Posey, Saget had become available after his previous commitments shifted, and the executive producer convinced ABC to allow him to reshoot the pilot. Just like that, John Posey’s tenure as Danny Tanner was over.
The irony wasn’t lost on Posey when he learned that the reshoot was an almost carbon copy of the original. “Exact same pilot, with [Saget wearing] the exact same outfit, which is weird,” Posey marvels. He humorously points out the physical and stylistic differences between him and Saget: “I’m this stocky, ex-football player, ex-wrestler… and Saget’s like 6′ 3″, 110 soaking wet. He’s an urban Jewish guy, and I’m this Irish guy from Florida and Georgia. And somehow we’ve got the same exact outfit on, playing the same role [laughing].”
Following the abrupt dismissal, Posey, initially bewildered by the industry’s cold realities, sought answers. “Being an inexperienced actor, I go, ‘Wait a minute… and suddenly they pretend they don’t know you… I get curious and go, “Well, what happened?”‘” he explains. He learned firsthand the often impersonal nature of show business, where replacements and firings occur without elaborate explanations. “They just say, ‘Hey, thanks for being here. It didn’t work out. Sorry.'”
Instead of dwelling on the setback, Posey channeled his energy into creative endeavors. He moved to New York and wrote a play, “Father, Son & Holy Coach,” which achieved considerable success, touring nationally and even being sold as a screenplay to Sony. This marked a turning point, reigniting his career and bringing him back to Los Angeles. Since then, actor John Posey has built a steady and versatile career in television, film, voiceover work, and commercials. He’s also a successful screenwriter, having sold numerous screenplays.
Despite missing out on the “Full House” phenomenon, Posey has appeared in many hit series over the years, including “Seinfeld,” “Cheers,” “Bones,” “24,” “NCIS,” and “Criminal Minds.” He fondly recalls his time on “Seinfeld,” particularly an encounter with Jerry Seinfeld years later, showcasing the camaraderie within the industry. He also mentions working with Tom Hanks on “From the Earth to the Moon,” highlighting the diverse experiences in his career.
Posey reflects on the “blue collar actor” label, describing the life of a working actor who consistently auditions, takes on guest roles, and navigates the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. He acknowledges that landing a starring role in a long-running series like “Full House” would have been financially life-changing, but he expresses contentment with his varied and enduring career.
Interestingly, Bob Saget himself acknowledged Posey’s performance in the original pilot in his autobiography, “Dirty Daddy.” Saget wrote, “Upon seeing the pilot, I thought he had done a really good job in it. I actually didn’t understand why they wanted to replace him.” Posey appreciates Saget’s sentiment, noting that he has never spoken to Saget directly but maintains friendships with other “Full House” cast members like John Stamos and Dave Coulier. He also recounts that the young actresses, particularly Candace Cameron Bure, were upset about his departure, having already formed a bond with him.
When asked about Saget’s reported guilt over replacing him, Posey displays understanding and empathy. Having experienced similar situations in his own career, he recognizes the uncomfortable and often impersonal aspects of the entertainment industry. He emphasizes that firings and replacements, though difficult, are part of the business.
Posey admits he initially avoided watching “Full House” after it became a hit, partly out of competitive feelings. However, he shares a humorous anecdote about his son, Jesse, a “Full House” fan, who was incredulous when Posey revealed he was the original Danny Tanner. Upon seeing the pilot footage, Jesse’s reaction was priceless: “Dad, that’s one of the more disturbing things I’ve ever seen, you and Bob Saget.”
While his “Full House” journey was brief, Posey found fatherhood in real life, raising his son Tyler Posey, who has achieved his own acting success, most notably in “Teen Wolf.” Posey proudly speaks of Tyler’s early passion for acting and their shared experiences in the industry, including co-starring in the film “Legendary” and guest-starring on “Teen Wolf.” He fondly recalls a story of a young Tyler on the set of “From the Earth to the Moon,” already showing a keen interest in filmmaking, foreshadowing his future career.
John Posey’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability in the unpredictable world of acting. While he may not be Danny Tanner to the world, actor John Posey has carved out a successful and fulfilling career, marked by talent, perseverance, and a good sense of humor about a near-miss with sitcom history.
