America's beloved TV dad Bob Saget died Sunday at age 65.
The star of ABC's "Full House" and Netflix's spinoff "Fuller House" was found unresponsive in his hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, early Sunday, police said, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The comedian's family said in a statement Sunday to USA TODAY that they were "devastated" to confirm the star's death.
"Our beloved Bob passed away today," the statement said. "He was everything to us and we want you to know how much he loved his fans, performing live and bringing people from all walks of life together with laughter."
The family asked for privacy during this time but invited fans to "join us in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world."
Saget not only stole people's hearts as the quirky widowed father Danny Tanner on "Full House" from 1987 to 1995, but he also captivated America's TV screens as the wisecracking host of "America's Funniest Home Videos" from 1989 to 1997.
Bob Saget dies: Comedian and beloved TV dad on 'Full House' and 'Fuller House' was 65
Fellow "Full House" and "Fuller House" co-stars paid tribute to the late comedian on social media, as did other celebrity friends.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who shared the role of Michelle, Saget's charismatic TV daughter, said in a statement to USA TODAY that he was the "most loving, compassionate and generous man."
"We are deeply saddened that he is no longer with us but know that he will continue to be by our side to guide us as gracefully as he always has," Mary-Kate and Ashley continued. "We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences."
John Stamos, who played the smooth Uncle Jesse and Danny's brother-in-law, mourned his friend, writing he is "broken" and "gutted."
"I am in complete and utter shock," Stamos tweeted. "I will never ever have another friend like him. I love you so much Bobby."
Jodie Sweetin, who played Tanner's daughter Stephanie Tanner, wrote an emotional tribute on Instagram Monday.
"There aren’t enough words to express what I’m feeling today. Nor are they big enough to capture even a slice of who he was. One thing I do know, is that we never missed a chance to tell each other, 'I love you,' " Sweetin wrote alongside three photos of her and Saget. "Every time we talked, there were at least 3 or 4 exchanged at the end of a conversation, whether it was text, phone call or in person. And he usually had to have the last word, 'I love you more…' "
The actress recalled all the memories she shared with Saget from exchanging jokes to him introducing her to new music.
"Bob was a wonderful human being. A human being that could drive you nuts at times, and he knew it, but who was so genuine that you couldn’t even get that frustrated. Someone who would also call and profusely apologize for at LEAST 15 minutes if he thought he MAY have perhaps said something he shouldn’t have or thought maybe he took a joke too far. He was a genuinely kind spirit who made it through so much in his life, and was most happy when he was helping others," she wrote.
She ended her tribute with an iconic line from her "Full House" character: "But you were supposed to be here longer… How Rude."
Saget also starred alongside Lori Loughlin (as Aunt Becky), Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey) and TV daughter Candace Cameron Bure (D.J.).
"My heart is broken," Coulier wrote on Twitter. "I love you, Bob."
"Your forever brother, Dave," Coulier signed off his tribute.
Candace Cameron Bure said on social media she had "no words."
"I don’t know what to say," she wrote on Twitter. "I have no words. Bob was one of the best humans beings I’ve ever known in my life. I loved him so much."
In 2016, Cameron Bure reprised her role as D.J. for "Fuller House," following her life as a widowed mother with sister Stephanie by her side. Stamos, Coulier and Saget appeared throughout the series.
Kat Dennings, who starred alongside Saget in the 2001 sitcom "Raising Dad," reminisced about being "his TV daughter for one season" and about how "kind and protective" the actor was. "So sorry for his family," she added, calling him the "loveliest man."
"I just can’t believe it," the actress wrote in another tweet. "What a wonderful guy. He always went out of his way to make me comfortable and talked nonstop about his kids. Such a loss."
"Seinfeld" actor Jason Alexander shared on Twitter: "I know that people lose loved ones, good people, every day. No one gets a pass. But the loss of Bob Saget hits deep. If you didn’t know him, he was kind and dear and cared about people deeply. He was the definition of 'a good egg.' Too soon he leaves."
Television writer and director Norman Lear wrote Saget was "as lovely a human as he was funny."
"And to my mind, he was hilarious. We were close friends and I could not have loved him more."
Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute to the comedian and sent her condolences.
"Sail on my friend Bob Saget," Goldberg wrote on social media, commending his "huge heart and abject lunacy."
Billy Crystal wrote of Saget: "I’m shocked and saddened to learn that Bob Saget is gone. A great friend and one of the funniest and sweetest people I have ever known. My love to his beautiful family."
"Just the funniest and nicest …" comedian Jon Stewart wrote.
Comedian George Wallace reflected on his "four decades of friendship" with Saget.
"Had Thanksgiving with Bob once when we were coming up. He cooked the turkey but had no idea you were supposed to take the innards out. We completely lost it," he remembered. "Love you, my friend."
Television host Andy Cohen wrote: "He had the biggest heart and wore it on his sleeve. He was so generous with his feelings. A mensch."
"Comedy and tragedy are so close together and today they collided," wrote Howie Mandel of Saget's death. "I love you @bobsaget."
Gilbert Gottfried, who was in the 2005 documentary/stand-up comedy "The Aristocrats" with Saget, wrote he was "still in shock" about the news.
"I just spoke with Bob a few days ago," he added. "We stayed on the phone as usual making each other laugh. RIP to friend, comedian & fellow Aristocrat Bob Saget."
Jim Carrey called Saget "beautiful" on social media, sharing a black-and-white photo of the two during their younger days.
"He had a big, big heart and a wonderfully warped comic mind," he wrote. "He gave the world a lot of joy and lived his life for goodness' sake."
Magician and actor Penn Jillette said Saget "would have wanted something tweeted that was really funny and in very bad taste."
"I can't do that," he added. "I'm just so sad. Bob was just great on every level and we will all miss him."
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis paid tribute to the actor by reflecting on "one of the funniest nights of my life. in the early 90's "in a limo heading downtown with @TheRichardLewis @DaveCoulier and Saget."
"Wherever he's gone, people will be laughing!" she wrote.
Comedian Joel McHale said he was "shocked" to learn of Saget's passing.
"One of the most kind & thoughtful people I’ve ever come across & he just happened to be one of the funniest on the planet," McHale wrote. "I will miss you so much Bob. Love you dear friend."
For CBS's "How I Met Your Mother," Saget voiced the narrator, the grown-up Ted (played by Josh Radner).
Radner reflected on Saget being the "older wiser 'me' for nine years on (HIMYM)," calling him the "kindest, loveliest, funniest, most supportive man."
"The easiest person to be around," Radner wrote in a lengthy Twitter thread. "A mensch among mensches."
Radnor remembered the imposter syndrome he felt when the show started and how Saget helped him overcome those struggles. "This man that I'd delighted in seeing on TV for years cheering me on, letting me know I had a right to be there… I can't overstate how meaningful his words were," he said.
"There are people who leave the earth and you’re haunted by all the things you didn’t tell them, all the love that was unexpressed," Radnor continued. "Luckily that wasn’t the case with Bob. We adored each other and we told each other."
"I’m endlessly grateful that HIMYM brought Bob Saget into my life. I’ll hear his voice in my head for the rest of my days," he concluded his thread, with a photo of the two smiling together.
In a statement to USA TODAY, the ABC network said they were "deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, Bob Saget, who will always be a member of the ABC family."
"Whether playing a loving father on 'Full House' or hosting the early years of 'America’s Funniest Home Videos' with his signature wit and charm, Bob always knew how to connect with families through heart and humor," the statement continued. "Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn the passing of such an incredibly gifted comedian and talent."
Warner Bros. Television, which produced both "Full House" and Fuller House," said in a statement to USA TODAY they were mourning the "tragic loss of our dear friend."
"Bob was a father figure to many worldwide," the statement read.
