John Stamos, renowned for his role on “Full House,” recently shared a humorous and unexpected chapter from his past involving the Church of Scientology. During a recent podcast interview on “Friends in High Places,” Stamos detailed how his brief foray into Scientology ended in an unusual and amusing fashion.
In his chat with host Matt Friend, Stamos recalled being lured into attending a Scientology meeting by a girl he was interested in. At just 17 years old, Stamos was working at his father’s restaurant when he decided to follow the girl’s invitation. This led him to the Church of Scientology’s headquarters on Hollywood Boulevard.
The situation quickly took a turn for the bizarre when Stamos was introduced to the church’s “e-meter,” a device used to detect “spiritual distress.” As he held the e-meter’s handles, Stamos started playfully pretending to be on the phone, mimicking a popular cartoon bit from “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends.”
“I was doing a Peabody and the way back machine,” Stamos said, referencing his comedic antics. “They didn’t like that.” His behavior, filled with playful antics, did not sit well with the Scientology group.
The situation escalated when the church members, clearly displeased with his lighthearted approach, told him to leave. “They just kind of kicked me out,” Stamos recounted with a chuckle.
Host Matt Friend was taken aback, questioning if Stamos was indeed too annoying for Scientology, a group known for its stringent recruiting practices and secretive nature. “So you were too annoying for Scientology?” Friend asked.
Stamos humorously admitted, “That’s pretty bad. I must have been terrible.”
This anecdote, which Stamos first mentioned in his 2023 memoir “If You Would Have Told Me,” paints a vivid picture of his brief and unconventional encounter with Scientology. In his memoir, he described the experience as “creepy as fuck,” reflecting his discomfort with the church’s practices.
The Church of Scientology, infamous for its Hollywood connections and high-profile members like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, has long been a topic of intrigue and controversy. Despite his brief and amusing encounter, Stamos remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry, with his Scientology story adding an unexpected twist to his storied career.
