John Stamos credits an encounter with a bully in high school for his unrelenting drive for success, which has made him rich and famous today. Contrary to the cool guy everyone sees today, Stamos says he used to be the nerd who spent time with magic and puppets.
He narrated his experience with bullies and girls as a teenager on a recent episode of Seth and Josh Meyers’ Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers podcast. Stamos was not spared even as an upcoming teen actor on General Hospital, pushing him to do better.
John Stamos got a black eye over a girl
Stamos admitted he wanted to get girls but did not have the personality for it at the time. Worse still, he was in a marching band, and it was during practice he learned the school’s hottest girl wanted to go on a date. That brought lots of attention his way, including that of bullies.
The 61-year-old recalled being at a party where he proudly told everyone about the girl, and in no time, her boyfriend heard the news. After the fun, Stamos is in his friend’s car in the parking lot where the offended lover assails him with a punch to the eye.
John Stamos can still feel the punch
Like getting a black eye was not enough, Stamos found a threat note in the bathroom that read, “I’m gonna kill you, big nose,” but not spelled right. It was then Stamos resolved to get famous and acquire bodyguards. Each time he achieves a feat, he remembers the humiliating encounter for an ego boost.
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Stamos dreamed of the day he would find the bully again and have him beat up as revenge. He disclosed that his soon-to-be-released memoir If You Would Have Told Me would have been dedicated to his then oppressor, whose name he can hardly remember, had the publishers not opposed.