John Stamos, the beloved actor who charmed audiences as Uncle Jesse on Full House, has navigated a public and often evolving romantic life, moving from early Hollywood flings to a high-profile marriage and ultimately finding enduring love and fatherhood in his later years. His journey through relationships has been as much a part of his public persona as his acting career, marked by significant partnerships and personal growth.
One of Stamos's earliest notable romantic connections was with his future Full House co-star, Lori Loughlin. The two briefly dated in their late teens, around 18 or 19 years old, going on a memorable date to Disneyland before their respective marriages. Stamos has openly reflected on this period, telling HuffPost Live in 2013 that Loughlin "could be the one that got away," highlighting their enduring friendship despite their brief romance.
In the mid-1980s, Stamos was in a relationship with actress Teri Copley. The couple dated for about a year in 1985, with Stamos recounting in his memoir, If You Would Have Told Me, that he met Copley after his makeup artist passed along her interest. Their relationship reportedly ended with a significant heartbreak for Stamos, as he alleged discovering Copley with his "rival" Tony Danza.
As his career gained momentum, Stamos was also linked to pop superstar Paula Abdul. The two were seen together publicly, including attending the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards in February 1990, indicating a period of dating during the height of both their careers. While details of their relationship remain private, their public appearances confirmed their connection at the time.
Stamos entered his first marriage with model and actress Rebecca Romijn. They met at a Victoria's Secret fashion show afterparty in 1994 and began dating. Their relationship quickly progressed, leading to an engagement in December 1997 and a wedding in September 1998. The couple was a prominent fixture on the Hollywood scene throughout their marriage.
During their marriage, which lasted until 2004, Stamos and Romijn faced various challenges. In his memoir, Stamos revealed feeling "emasculated" as Romijn's career soared, and admitted to not putting in enough effort into the marriage. He also noted a divergence in their desires for a family, stating, "there’s zero talk about having kids and starting a family." The couple announced their separation in April 2004, and Stamos filed for divorce in August 2004, which was finalized in March 2005.
Following his divorce from Romijn, Stamos had a brief relationship with actress Denise Richards in 2006. They were spotted together at Richards' 35th birthday dinner, with both navigating high-profile divorces at the time—Richards from Charlie Sheen. Their romance was short-lived but garnered media attention due to their celebrity status.
In the years after his divorce, Stamos was also linked to other prominent figures, though these connections appeared to be brief encounters rather than long-term relationships. In 2011, he was reportedly seen on a date with actress Renée Zellweger at Disneyland. Around the same time, he was also reported to have gone on a date with comedian Amy Poehler, though sources indicated that relationship "never blossomed into anything more serious."
Stamos eventually found his current wife, Caitlin McHugh, in 2016. They initially met on the set of Law & Order: SVU, where Stamos developed a crush on McHugh, though she was engaged at the time. They reconnected later when McHugh was divorced and dating again, with Stamos making his move. The couple moved in together six months after reconnecting.
Their relationship quickly became serious, with Stamos proposing to McHugh at Disneyland in October 2017, a place that holds sentimental value in his romantic history. They married in February 2018, and welcomed their son, Billy Stamos, in April 2018. McHugh reportedly encouraged Stamos to have children, jokingly telling him, "Because you're old."
Since their marriage and the birth of their son, Stamos and McHugh have often shared glimpses of their happy family life on social media and in interviews. Stamos has frequently expressed his joy and fulfillment in fatherhood, a dream he had long held. Their relationship is characterized by strong communication and a shared commitment to family, marking a fulfilling new chapter in John Stamos's romantic journey. He has emphasized that he learned about "real love" through his marriage to Caitlin McHugh, cherishing their bond and the family they have built together.