Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, two of the most famous child stars in Hollywood history, captivated audiences with their roles as Michelle Tanner on Full House. However, as they transitioned from child actors to successful fashion moguls, many rumors and controversies surrounded their exit from the limelight. From alleged feuds with co-stars to unsettling experiences with Bob Saget, the Olsen twins’ journey after Full House has been anything but ordinary. In this post, we’ll explore the truth behind their departure, their strained relationships, and the disturbing jokes that have surfaced about their time on the show.
The Rise to Fame: From Child Stars to Fashion Icons
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen began their careers as infants, taking turns playing Michelle Tanner on Full House—a role that made them household names. By the time they were in their teens, the twins had already started their production company and released their own line of movies, toys, and books. Their success was undeniable, and it seemed like nothing could stop them from becoming Hollywood’s next big thing.
However, as they entered adulthood, both sisters chose to step away from acting, deciding to pursue their own passions. They founded The Row, a luxury fashion brand that has garnered immense popularity for its minimalist designs. Despite their success in the fashion industry, their departure from Hollywood left many wondering what went wrong—and why they suddenly seemed to distance themselves from their former co-stars.
The Full House Drama: Feuds and Tensions
The first sign of trouble came when the Olsen twins were noticeably absent from the Full House reunion in 2012. Fans speculated that there might have been bad blood between the twins and their co-stars. In fact, when the Full House reboot Fuller House was announced in 2015, many were disappointed that the twins wouldn’t be returning to reprise their iconic roles as Michelle Tanner.
John Stamos, who played Uncle Jesse, was particularly vocal about his disappointment. He publicly stated that he felt the twins just didn’t want to return to acting. This set off a chain of speculation about the reasons behind their decision. Some believed that the twins were upset with the way they were treated on the set of Full House. Stamos, who has frequently made negative remarks about their performance on the show, further fueled the rumors. He was often critical of the twins when they were young, calling them “difficult” to work with and criticizing their acting.
The tension seemed to deepen when Lori Loughlin, who played Aunt Becky, also expressed frustration over the twins’ absence in the reboot. However, Mary-Kate and Ashley explained that they had moved on from acting long ago, and they felt no need to return to a show that had long since ended. In 2016, Ashley revealed that she hadn’t acted in front of a camera since she was 17 and didn’t feel comfortable doing so anymore.
The Creepy Bob Saget Jokes: Crossing the Line
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of the Olsen twins’ time on Full House was the way Bob Saget, who played their TV father, joked about them during the Comedy Central Roast in 2008. Saget, known for his edgy humor, made several inappropriate remarks about the twins, including jokes that implied he had drugged them and made unwanted advances toward them.
One of the most shocking jokes was when a comedian at the roast claimed that Bob Saget had “hit on” the Olsen twins when they were just 8 years old, continuing to do so until they were 21. The joke went further to suggest that Saget had given Mary-Kate acting lessons, with a disturbing punchline about teaching her how to act like the abuse never happened. The twins were said to have been visibly uncomfortable by these comments, and it’s easy to see why—these were not just inappropriate jokes, but a violation of their childhood.
While Bob Saget later expressed his love for the twins, the damage had already been done. Many fans believe that this type of behavior from Saget, along with the inappropriate atmosphere on set, may have contributed to the twins’ desire to leave Hollywood and avoid their former co-stars.
The Decision to Leave Hollywood: Protecting Their Privacy
As time went on, Mary-Kate and Ashley made it clear that they no longer wanted to be part of the Hollywood machine. They both stepped away from acting and focused on building their fashion empire with The Row. Despite their massive success, the twins have continued to live their lives out of the public eye, and they rarely appear in interviews or media. This has only fueled the rumors about their supposed issues with Full House and their former castmates.
The twins’ decision to leave acting wasn’t just about stepping out of the spotlight—it was also about preserving their well-being. Growing up in front of the camera, especially in a family sitcom like Full House, had its toll on the twins. As Ashley admitted in interviews, acting was something she no longer felt comfortable with, especially after years of being under such intense scrutiny.
Bob Saget’s Death and Reconciliation
Despite the creepy jokes and the uncomfortable atmosphere on set, when Bob Saget tragically passed away in 2022, the Olsen twins expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to their TV dad. They described him as a guiding figure in their lives and said they would miss him deeply.
At his funeral, the twins shared heartfelt words, acknowledging the important role Bob played in their childhood. This moment of reconciliation showed that, despite the troubling experiences they may have had with him on set, the twins still valued their relationship with Saget.
The Mystery Behind the Olsen Twins’ Personal Lives
Even after all these years, the Olsen twins remain incredibly private, sparking rumors and theories about their lives. Some fans have speculated that they may have their own secret hand signals, a way of communicating with each other without speaking. However, the twins have denied these rumors, saying that they simply developed a way of discreetly expressing themselves because of their early fame.
Their decision to stay out of the public eye has only fueled speculation, but the truth remains that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have done what they feel is best for their mental and emotional well-being. They continue to thrive in the fashion world, and their legacy as child stars will always be remembered—but they’ve made it clear that they no longer want to be defined by their past roles.
Final Thoughts: A Complex Legacy
The story of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen is a complicated one. They were thrust into the spotlight at an incredibly young age, and their journey through Hollywood was marred by unsettling experiences, inappropriate jokes, and strained relationships with co-stars. Despite the challenges they faced, the twins managed to carve out their own path in the fashion world, leaving their acting careers behind.
While the rumors and drama surrounding their time on Full House and their relationships with their former castmates will continue to swirl, the Olsen twins have made it clear that they are in control of their own narrative. Their choice to step away from the entertainment industry and focus on their fashion business shows that, for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, protecting their privacy and well-being is far more important than staying in the Hollywood spotlight.