Jodie Sweetin Recounts Getting Lost in Las Vegas During Full House Filming
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jodie-sweetin-full-house-1990-012825-422d456a3ad547978b11d0f2d14ce012.jpg)
Jodie Sweetin, known for her role in the iconic TV show Full House, recently shared a harrowing experience she had while filming on location in Las Vegas. The actress detailed the incident during a recent episode of her rewatch podcast, How Rude, Tanneritos!, where she reminisced with former co-star Andrea Barber.
The particular episode being discussed was from season 4, titled “Viva Las Joey,” which saw the Tanner family heading to Las Vegas to support Joey Gladstone, played by Dave Coulier, who was performing as an opening act for Wayne Newton. During their time off set, the cast decided to explore Elvis Presley’s former suite, located in the Hilton (now Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino).
Sweetin, now 43, shared details about the tour, mentioning interesting tidbits like a bullet hole in the private elevator that Elvis Presley once shot. The tour group included several cast members, such as John Stamos and series creator Jeff Franklin, along with Sweetin and her mother.
However, as Sweetin recalled, a mishap occurred at the end of the tour when she entered the elevator, assuming her mother was behind her. When the doors opened, she found herself alone on the casino floor without her mother in sight. Being only around 9 years old at the time, Sweetin was left to navigate the bustling Las Vegas casino by herself, a daunting task in an era before cell phones and pagers.
The young actress wandered around, trying to find her way back without the means to contact her mother. Luckily, she eventually sought help from the cast teacher, who assisted her in reaching her concerned mother. Despite the frightful situation, Sweetin managed to stay composed and eventually reunited with her mother after being lost for a couple of hours.
Reflecting on the incident, Sweetin described it as one of her mother’s most terrifying experiences. Barber also highlighted the added pressure of Sweetin being a recognizable child actor, which made the situation even more unnerving. In today’s production environment, the disappearance of a child actor would likely prompt a significant response, but in the early ’90s, the lack of communication technology complicated such scenarios.
The actress concluded the story with a touch of humour, mentioning that getting lost in Las Vegas became a recurring theme for her in the following years. Despite the ordeal, Sweetin’s ability to find her way back on that eventful day showcased her resilience and resourcefulness even at a young age.
The tale serves as a reminder of the challenges child actors can face while working on location, especially in unfamiliar and bustling settings like Las Vegas. Sweetin’s recounting of the incident provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her Full House experience and the supportive network that helped navigate unexpected twists during filming.
As fans reminisce about the beloved show and its iconic cast, Sweetin’s Las Vegas escapade adds a human touch to the glamour of television production. It underscores the importance of safety protocols and the need for vigilance when working with young performers, ensuring that their well-being remains a top priority on and off the set.