The Shocking Truth About Young Bob Saget: 7 Untold Facts That Shatter The Danny Tanner Image
The image of Bob Saget is indelibly linked to Danny Tanner, the squeaky-clean, hyper-organized single father from the beloved sitcom Full House. This wholesome, family-friendly persona became his legacy for millions. However, as of this updated article in December 2025, the fascination with his pre-fame life—the young, raw, and often shockingly "filthy" comedian—continues to grow, revealing a duality that few celebrities ever manage to pull off. The man behind the mop-and-vacuum-obsessed TV dad was, in his youth, a rising stand-up star known for a dark, sarcastic, and boundary-pushing style that was the polar opposite of his breakthrough role. This deep dive uncovers the surprising facts about the young Robert Lane Saget before he became a household name.
Understanding the early life and career of Bob Saget is like looking at two different people: the polished TV host and the unapologetic comic. His journey from an aspiring film student in Philadelphia to a host on a major network news program just before landing the role of Danny Tanner is a testament to his relentless drive and often-overlooked talent. The story of young Bob Saget is not just a biography; it is a masterclass in professional reinvention and the power of a contrasting public image.
Robert Lane Saget: A Young Man's Biography Profile
Before the iconic roles on *Full House* and *America's Funniest Home Videos*, Robert Lane Saget was a Philadelphia native with a clear vision for a career in film and comedy. His foundation was built on education, an early tragedy, and a relentless pursuit of the stage.
- Full Name: Robert Lane Saget
- Born: May 17, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Parents: Benjamin Saget (father) and Dolly Saget (mother).
- Hometowns: Raised primarily in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, though he briefly lived in Norfolk, Virginia, where he honed his comedic timing in Hebrew school.
- Education: Graduated from Abington Senior High School in 1974. He later attended Temple University in Philadelphia.
- University Focus: Graduated from Temple University in 1978 with a degree in Film. He was passionate about filmmaking, even creating the short documentary *Through the Looking Glass* during his time there.
- Early Career Start: Began performing stand-up comedy at a young age, well before his television success.
- Breakout TV Role (Pre-Full House): Was a cast member on CBS's *The Morning Program* in early 1987.
- Death: January 9, 2022, at the age of 65.
The "Nerppie" Persona: Bob Saget's Shockingly Filthy Stand-Up Years
The biggest disconnect between the public perception of Bob Saget and his reality lies in his early stand-up comedy. Long before he was lecturing D.J. Tanner on the importance of cleaning her room, Saget was known on the comedy circuit for a dark, vulgar, and highly inappropriate style of humor.
The Birth of the "Nerppie"
In the late 1980s, as Saget was making a name for himself in comedy clubs across the country, his stage persona was coined the "Nerppie." This was a portmanteau, a cross between a "nerd" and a "Yuppie." Standing 6' 4", the tall, clean-cut comic looked harmless, which only amplified the shock value of his material.
His comedic style was a deliberate act, using his innocent appearance to deliver jokes that were often described as "awesomely inappropriate" and "filthy." He was a regular at famous venues like Dangerfield's and was featured on HBO's *9th Annual Young Comedians Special* in 1984, where Rodney Dangerfield introduced him. This early exposure cemented his reputation as a comic who was unafraid to go to the darkest places for a laugh, a far cry from the scripts of *Full House*.
From Stand-Up to Sitcom: The Great Juxtaposition
When Bob Saget landed the role of Danny Tanner in 1987, it created one of the most famous juxtapositions in television history. He was simultaneously filming a family sitcom and touring with a stand-up act that was decidedly adult. The contrast was so stark that his fellow comedians and close friends often joked about the irony. This dual life allowed him to explore both sides of his personality: the performer who craved the spotlight and the artist who needed an outlet for his edgier material. It is a key reason why his death prompted so many stories about his unexpected, vulgar sense of humor off-camera.
Pre-Fame Milestones: The Untold Path to Danny Tanner
The path to *Full House* was neither direct nor guaranteed. Saget’s early career was a fascinating blend of serious ambition, film work, and a surprising, short-lived stint in morning television. These lesser-known roles are critical to understanding his evolution as a performer and a public figure.
The Temple University Film School Ambition
Saget’s true passion in his youth was not necessarily comedy, but filmmaking. He attended Temple University, graduating with a film degree in 1978. His student documentary, *Through the Looking Glass*, was a notable early work, showcasing his interest in visual storytelling. This background in direction and production would later serve him well, as he went on to direct films like *Dirty Work* and episodes of *Full House* and *Fuller House*, proving he was more than just a comedic actor. This focus on film is a crucial entity in his professional biography.
The Forgotten CBS Breakout: *The Morning Program*
Before the *Full House* audition, Saget’s most significant television role was on *CBS's The Morning Program* in early 1987. This show was a short-lived attempt by CBS to compete with *Good Morning America* and the *Today Show*. Saget was hired as a comedic contributor and co-host, a role that required him to be clean-cut and family-friendly—a direct preview of the Danny Tanner character. The program only lasted a few months, but it put him on the network's radar, showcasing his ability to pivot from the "Nerppie" to a wholesome TV personality. This appearance was the final stepping stone before his career-defining role.
A Surprising Film Role with a Comedy Legend
In 1987, the same year he landed *Full House*, Saget appeared in the Richard Pryor film *Critical Condition*. While a minor role, working alongside a comedy titan like Pryor further established his credentials in the entertainment industry. This early film work, coupled with his stand-up touring, demonstrates a relentless work ethic and a commitment to diverse acting roles before he was typecast as the ultimate TV dad.
The Legacy of Young Bob Saget
The story of young Bob Saget is a powerful reminder that public personas are often carefully constructed. The Danny Tanner image—the role that made him a global star and a symbol of wholesome fatherhood—was a performance that masked a deeply sarcastic and irreverent comedic soul.
His ability to successfully pivot from the "Nerppie" stand-up comic, known for his dark and explicit material, to the earnest, grieving, and loving father on a primetime sitcom is a testament to his range. The young Bob Saget was a hardworking film student and a relentlessly touring comedian who spent years honing his craft in comedy clubs, a period that ultimately fueled the genuine warmth and relatability he brought to his most famous roles. The entities of his early life—Abington Senior High School, Temple University, *The Morning Program*, and his dark stand-up—all combine to form a complete, complex, and much more fascinating picture of the man we knew and loved.
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