Pete Davidson shares how Bob Saget helped him ‘through some rough mental health stuff’

The world was shocked this weekend to learn of the untimely passing of Full House and America’s Funniest Home Videos star Bob Saget. The actor was 65 and found unresponsive in his Florida hotel room, having just performed in Jacksonville during his I Don’t Do Negative comedy tour. Police have shared that no foul play or drugs are suspected, but a cause of death has yet to be determined.

His last tweet, posted the day he passed, showed enthusiasm for the rest of the tour and expressed what a great time he was having.

“Loved tonight's show @PV_ConcertHall in Jacksonville. Appreciative audience. Thanks again to @RealTimWilkins for opening. I had no idea I did a 2 hr set tonight. I'm happily addicted again to this s**t."

Saget, who was also the narrator on How I Met Your Mother's 2005-2014 run and starred in the 2016 Full House reboot Fuller House, leaves behind three daughters, and wife, food blogger Kelly Rizzo, whom he married in 2018.

The news has rocked the entertainment, TV, and comedy world, with performers sharing fond memories of Saget—all confirming that he was full of heart, warm, kind, and endlessly caring to all those around him.

SNL star Pete Davidson, who does not have social media, asked his friend, comedian Dave Sirus, to post on Instagram on his behalf.  In the statement, Pete shared how Saget helped the young comedian out during his struggles with mental health.

“When I was younger and several times throughout our friendship he helped me get through some rough mental health stuff. He stayed on the phone with my mom for hours trying to help in anyway he can—connecting us with doctors and new things we can try. He would check in on me and make sure I was okay,” Pete wrote.

He finished his moving statement with, “I love you Bob it was an honor to know you. Thank you for your kindness and friendship. My condolences to the family.”

Saget was beloved among established comedians and entertainers in the 80s and 90s, but he was also a favourite of younger emerging talent. Just last week, The Office star B.J. Novak posted a video of himself and Saget chatting during the latest podcast episode of Bob Saget’s Here For You. Novak captioned the chat, “I have always and will always love Bob Saget.”

The clip includes Novak explaining how Saget personally phoned Novak’s mother to reassure him that he would take care and look after a young Novak when he hired him to work on an unaired skit. Like Davidson, Novak explains how Saget was a mother’s favourite, and that he approached everything with heart and a personal touch.

Famous friends and colleagues, like Full House co-stars John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Jon Stewart, Patton Oswalt, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Carrey and many more took to social media on Sunday to share their similar stories of kindness and heart on the part of Saget.

Saget’s most famous TV-daughters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen said in a statement, “Bob 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,” the twins told People. “We are thinking of his daughters, wife and family and are sending our condolences.”

Although making a name for himself as “America’s Dad” with his wholesome image, Saget also was a dark comedy master (as Jim Carrey, Patton Oswalt, and Gilbert Gottfried noted in their tributes). The comedian shocking fans later in life with his ability to use the grotesque to epic effect. In 2005, he wowed audiences in the comedy documentary The Aristocrats, where comedians take turns telling off-colour and oft-times obscene jokes, with the punchline being, “The aristocrats!”

He also participated in the reliably-crude but hilarious Comedy Central Roasts in 2008 when he was the butt of everyone’s jokes. The late-great Norm Macdonald gave the best zingers of the night, intended to confuse the audience, much to Saget’s guilty delight.

Saget used those raunchier jokes on his later comedy tours, using them to further shed his good-boy image.

Saget’s family released a joint statement, that reads in part,  “We are devastated to confirm that our beloved Bob passed away today. 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. Though we ask for privacy at this time, we invite you to join us in remembering the love and laughter that Bob brought to the world."

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