Comedian and host Bob Saget was born on May 17, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally intending to become a doctor, he was encouraged by his English teacher to pursue a film career. He subsequently enrolled and graduated at Temple University’s film program. After quickly pulling out of postgraduate studies, he started performing stand-up comedy, rising to prominence for his brand of risky comedy. After making several national tours, he attempted to make a transition to television, appearing as the host and writer for the ill-fated CBS magazine show The Morning Program; he left after six months, believing he was not meant for the medium.
Saget would, however, be quickly disproved. In 1987, he was cast in the comedy series Full House, as the neat-freak patriarch Danny Tanner. It was a stark departure from his previous image as a comedian, with him acquiring a family-friendly image for the series. It proved to be a smash, and Full House—along with Saget—rose to fame. In 1989, he took the role as host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, which also proved to be a hit. The next seven years were his most productive, with work for both programs happening often concurrently. Full House ended in 1995 because of rising production costs; he left AFV two years later, intent of pursuing further opportunities.
His success brought him to films, with roles in Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd and a cameo in New York Minute, among others. However, his television work was still the most recognizable. After a role in the short-lived family comedy Raising Dad, he became the host of the game show 1 vs. 100. He also took a role in the comedy How I Met Your Mother, as the uncredited (yet important) narrator. His most recent television role was in another short-lived comedy, Surviving Suburbia, which aired in 2008.