5 Shocking Facts About Cousin Steve From Full House: Where Is Kirk Cameron Now In 2025?
The character known simply as "Cousin Steve" is one of the most intriguing and often-confused figures in the *Full House* universe. Appearing in only a single episode of the original series, this minor character is significant for one major reason: he was played by one of the biggest teen idols of the late 1980s, Kirk Cameron, who is the real-life brother of DJ Tanner actress Candace Cameron Bure. This article, updated for late 2025, dives deep into the character's legacy, clears up the confusion with another famous "Steve," and reveals Kirk Cameron’s latest projects, including his 2025 national tour.
Cousin Steve's brief appearance in the Tanner household is a fascinating piece of sitcom history, a rare crossover event that connected two of the era's most popular family comedies. Beyond the nostalgia, Kirk Cameron’s career trajectory since that 1988 cameo has been anything but typical, transitioning from mainstream stardom to a dedicated focus on faith-based films, literature, and public speaking, with major events already scheduled for 2025. Here is everything you need to know about the mysterious Cousin Steve and the man who played him.
Kirk Cameron: The Man Behind Cousin Steve's Single Episode
The actor who played the handsome and charming Cousin Steve is Kirk Cameron, an actor who needs little introduction for anyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s. His biography is a compelling story of early fame, family ties, and a significant career shift.
- Full Name: Kirk Thomas Cameron
- Date of Birth: October 12, 1970
- Place of Birth: Panorama City, California, U.S.
- Spouse: Chelsea Noble (m. 1991)
- Children: 6 (Four adopted, two biological)
- Sister: Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner on *Full House*)
- Known For: Mike Seaver on *Growing Pains* (1985–1992)
- Notable *Full House* Appearance: Cousin Steve in Season 1, Episode 18, "Just One of the Guys" (1988)
- Current Focus: Actor, Author, Producer, Documentarian, Christian Evangelist, and Public Speaker.
- Key Organizations: The Way of the Master (Evangelistic Ministry), The Firefly Foundation (Co-founder)
1. The Crucial Distinction: Cousin Steve is NOT DJ's Boyfriend Steve Hale
The most common piece of trivia—and source of confusion—in the *Full House* fandom revolves around the name "Steve." Fans often mistakenly believe that the character who appeared in the Season 1 episode "Just One of the Guys" is the same Steve who would later become DJ Tanner’s long-term high school boyfriend. This is completely false and a key point for any true fan to understand.
Cousin Steve:
- Played by Kirk Cameron.
- Appeared in one episode (Season 1, Episode 18).
- He is the Tanner girls' older cousin, the son of Danny Tanner's sister.
- The episode's plot centers on DJ trying to impress him and Kimmy Gibbler developing a massive crush on him.
Steve Hale:
- Played by Scott Weinger.
- Appeared as a recurring role starting in Season 5 and was a main love interest in Seasons 6 and 7.
- He is DJ's high school boyfriend, and later her fiancé in *Fuller House*.
The two characters are entirely separate, played by different actors, and serve distinct roles in the series' narrative. The fact that two significant characters share the same first name is a source of ongoing, good-natured fan debate.
2. The Episode Was a Rare Sibling Crossover Event
The original *Full House* episode "Just One of the Guys" was a major television event because it featured a rare crossover between two of ABC's biggest stars. Candace Cameron Bure was on *Full House*, and her older brother, Kirk Cameron, was the star of the hit show *Growing Pains*, playing the iconic role of Mike Seaver.
Cousin Steve was written into the show to capitalize on this real-life sibling relationship and the popularity of Kirk Cameron. The episode is a nostalgic time capsule, showcasing the genuine chemistry between the two siblings on screen, even though their characters were simply cousins. At the time, Kirk Cameron was arguably the bigger star, making his guest appearance a huge boost for the fledgling *Full House* series.
3. Kirk Cameron's Surprising Return to the 'Fuller House' Universe
While Cousin Steve never reappeared on *Full House*, Kirk Cameron did make a highly anticipated return to the franchise for the Netflix revival, *Fuller House*. However, he did not reprise his role as Cousin Steve. Instead, he made a memorable cameo in the final season (Season 5, Episode 8) where he played a fictionalized version of himself.
The plot twist was an absolute treat for long-time fans: Kimmy Gibbler, who had a huge crush on Cousin Steve decades earlier, finally got her teenage dream fulfilled by going on a date with the now-adult Kirk Cameron. The cameo was a clever, meta-nod to the original series, acknowledging the fan-favorite moment from "Just One of the Guys" without having to complicate the Tanner family tree with the Cousin Steve character.
4. He Left Mainstream Acting for Faith-Based Projects
After achieving massive success on *Growing Pains* and his brief but memorable appearance on *Full House*, Kirk Cameron made a significant pivot in his career. Following a conversion to evangelical Christianity, his professional life became almost exclusively dedicated to faith-based projects.
His work now primarily consists of acting, directing, and producing films with Christian themes, such as *Saving Christmas* and *Mercy Rule*. He is also a prolific author and co-founder of the evangelistic ministry, The Way of the Master, and the American Campfire Revival. This shift has defined his career for the last two decades, making him one of the most prominent figures in Christian media.
5. Kirk Cameron's Major 2025 Projects Focus on Family and Community
For fans wondering what the actor behind Cousin Steve is doing right now, the answer is that he remains extremely active in his chosen field. The year 2025 is already shaping up to be a busy one for Kirk Cameron, with a clear focus on family and community engagement.
He has announced his 2025 "Strong Families, Strong Communities Tour," which is scheduled to begin in February 2025. This tour is part of his ongoing mission to promote Christian values in marriage, parenting, and community life. Furthermore, he continues to produce content and host discussions related to national issues, including examining what he believes could "truly CHANGE America in 2025." His continued dedication to these themes ensures that Kirk Cameron, the man who was once the one-off Cousin Steve, remains a relevant and influential public figure in the realm of faith-based entertainment and activism well into the mid-2020s.
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