Saget's appearance in Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza's 2005 documentary "The Aristocrats" expanded perception of a man who had played one of the most wholesome and dorky dads in sitcom history.
It was a duality that many loved about the TV star and comic who died Sunday at the age of 65.
The star of the family friendly "Full House" and "Fuller House" series and host of the even more G-rated "America's Funniest Home Videos" was also well known for his crass humor. He mastered both: Danny Tanner was great, but Bob Saget loved working blue. "America's Dad" Bob Saget also loved dirty jokes.Now they are being remembered in death just months apart. Bob Saget and Norm Macdonald's enduring friendship: Bob Saget and Norm Macdonald first met working standup in the Ottawa comedy clubs before they became big stars.The star actually first became involved with the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) prior to his sister's diagnosis with the chronic disease, which can lead to a hardening and tightening of connective tissue and skin. But it was the death of his beloved sister Gay following a battle with the autoimmune disease scleroderma which transformed him into an avid advocate for raising money to find a cure. How a family tragedy turned Bob Saget into an activist: Bob Saget channeled his grief into helping others and now some of his famous friends are doing the same in the wake of his death.
He brought us all laughter and demonstrated dedication to a cause that we at Scleroderma Atlantic share. They can visit our website where they will find access to support and community. If you are reading this and know someone living with scleroderma, please share our organization’s information with them. Scleroderma Atlantic is a not-for-profit organization led by volunteers who, for the most part, either have scleroderma or have cared or are caring for someone living with scleroderma. Testing is very specific and treatments can be both hard to access and inadequate for the multitude of symptoms. Diagnosis can be very difficult and can take years to confirm. Right now, there are over 400 people in Atlantic Canada living with scleroderma. Little did I know that just a few years later, my sister would be diagnosed with the disease.” Saget recalled to People Magazine: "I said yes and hosted the event, which starred Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell and others. He volunteered actively and eventually became a board member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation, raising millions of dollars and hosting his signature comedy show Hot Cuisine, Cool Comedy for the cause.
Her illness and death was a terrible shock to the family and Bob would say his parents suffered from PTSD as a result of the experience of caring for Gay through her illness.īob was a dedicated advocate for the scleroderma cause for more than 25 years. There is no cure.īob’s sister, Gay, a schoolteacher, became very sick and ultimately died from scleroderma at 47.
It involves the hardening of skin and connective tissue, and often significantly affects internal organs. Scleroderma is a rare auto-immune disease.
But there was another side to Bob that many do not know about - it has to do with a disease called scleroderma. Many have heard about the unexpected death of beloved actor, host, and comedian Bob Saget last month - and if you are like me, and thousands of other people across North America, we are collectively saddened.Īs a charismatic television entertainer, Bob brought a lot of laughter to generations of people across North America.