‘Full House' child star in a ‘constant process of recovery' after finding fame at young age
The actor, 40, got candid about playing Michelle Tanner's (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) friend, Derek Boyd, on the sitcom, which ran for eight seasons from 1987 to 1995.
While on Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber's 'Full House' rewatch podcast, 'How Rude, Tanneritos,' on June 26, Ewing said he is most remembered for his 'Yankee Doodle Boy' performance from season six, episode eight, titled 'The Play's The Thing.'
Advertisement
9 Blake McIver Ewing on 'Full House.'
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Ewing revealed that fans still 'absolutely' ask him about the song, adding, 'I get requests for it.'
'This is the time of year where I start to hunker down like a Cold War bunker,' he joked. 'Tis the season. The memes start coming.'
Advertisement
9 Yankee Doddle Boy performance.
All kidding aside, Ewing said, 'It is an honor, and I'm glad that it still brings people joy.' Reflecting on playing Derek, the star noted he had 'a lot of similarities' to his character.
'I was very, very precocious and very able to speak my mind,' he confessed, expressing that they were both 'bossy.'
Although the Hollywood vet has fond memories from his time on 'Full House,' being a child star has left him a 'Recovering Child Actor,' as noted in his Instagram bio.
Advertisement
9 Blake McIver Ewing's Yankee Doddle Boy dance.
Ewing starred in a slew of projects after his stint on 'Full House,' including playing Waldo in the 1994 classic 'The Little Rascals' and voicing Eugene in 2002's 'Hey Arnold! The Movie,' as well as starring in TV shows like 2001's 'Adventures in Odyssey.'
'I feel like we're all in recovery always,' Ewing shared with his former co-stars. 'It's an annoying process. People ask me about it all the time, and I'm like, 'No. It's not a negative thing. It's just like there's a constant process of recovery.''
Ewing also considered himself 'lucky' that his parents, actress Susan McIver and director Bill Ewing, didn't push him to be an actor, adding that he 'wanted to do it.'
Advertisement
9 Blake McIver Ewing and Mary Kate/Ashley Olsen on 'Full House.'
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
'Since both my parents were in show business, they didn't care at all,' he confessed. 'They were like, 'Well, if you're gonna do it, just don't embarrass us. At least be good at it.''
'But it's so funny because you become a teenager, you become an adolescent, and it doesn't matter. There is still a life learning curve,' said Ewing. 'And it's really more about that. It's like we recover in our own way.'
Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner, echoed her former co-star's sentiments, sharing that 'there's a whole extra layer of getting through that thing of being known as something [as] a child.'
9 Blake McIver Ewing performs on stage.
Getty Images for Family Equality Council
'Most people don't have to shake off a career at 13 and be like, 'Who am I now?'' Sweetin continued while noting that as a teen, you're 'really trying to figure out who you are anyway,' but being a child star adds extra 'layers.'
'Absolutely,' Ewing agreed. 'It is an identity crisis of a sort. And I always try to explain to people… you have your mid-career crisis at 18.'
From Barber's perspective, child actors from the '90s have their 'own language' and are 'like one big fraternity.'
Advertisement
9 Blake McIver Ewing attends Family Equality Council's Impact Awards.
Getty Images for Family Equality
Ewing said while doing 'a lot of episodic work' on other series as a kid, it showed him just how 'lucky' the cast of 'Full House' was.
Ewing reprised his role as Derek on 'Fuller House,' which ran from 2016 to 2020. He starred in the series finale, Season 5 episode 18, titled 'Our Very Last Show, Again.'
'When we were doing 'Fuller House,' I was always thinking about, 'Where is Derek?'' he said. 'I hope he's teaching high school theater in San Francisco.'
Advertisement
Along with the Olsen twins, 39, Sweetin and Barber, 'Full House' also starred Candace Cameron Bure, Dave Coulier, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin and the late Bob Saget, who died at age 65 in 2022.
9 John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Dave Coulier; Candace Cameron, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin, Bob Saget, Mary-Kate Olsen / Ashley Olsen in 1991.
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
For the sequel series, everyone returned except Mary-Kate and Ashley.
In November, Sweetin admitted she would love to get the gang back together once more.
Advertisement
'I've learned in this business never say never,' she told The Post. 'I'm totally down for it. I've been saying we need to do the 'Golden Girls Fullest House.''
Sweetin teased, 'Give it a few years and we'll be like appropriate old lady age. I think we could do it.'
9 Bob Saget (Danny), Dave Coulier (Joey), Mary Kate Olsen (Michelle), and John Stamos (Uncle Jesse).
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
But 'The Jane Mysteries' actress knows things won't be how they were without Saget, who played the beloved Danny Tanner.
Advertisement
'He is the heart of the family in so many ways,' she explained. 'But I think the rest of us would definitely love to do it.'
Bure also shared that she has kept one very important piece of wisdom from the late comic in mind.
9 'Fuller House.'
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
'I try to remember to tell all the people I love that I love them every time I see them,' the Great American Family CCO exclusively told The Post. 'Tell the people that you love that you love them. Don't leave the room without it.'
Bure said she tries 'to laugh a lot,' adding, 'I miss Bob every day.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
13 minutes ago
- New York Post
New Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson brings style to MSG — see some of his best fits
A new era of fashion is coming to New York. After agreeing to a buyout with the Jazz following six seasons, veteran guard Jordan Clarkson will sign with the Knicks once he clears waivers. Clarkson, who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2021, adds a prominent bench scorer to the team's top-heavy roster. Advertisement The 33-year-old also brings a sense of fearless fashion that instantly upgrades the team's tunnel fits. 6 Jordan Clarkson at the Willy Chavarria show as part of Paris Men's Fashion Week held at the Salle Pleyel on June 27, 2025. WWD via Getty Images When it comes to rocking bold prints and patterns, baggy ensembles and colorful silhouettes, Clarkson has done just about everything with confidence. Take a look back at some of Clark's best styles before he brings the heat to the hallways of Madison Square Garden. Advertisement Jordan Clarkson's best fits Last month, he took Paris Fashion Week for the men's spring/summer 2026 season by storm, wearing looks by Rick Owens and Dior while attending the brands' shows, respectively. Clarkson always finds the balance between luxury brands, such as Balenciaga and Thom Browne, and hidden gem streetwear labels. 6 Jordan Clarkson wore a red flannel Yankees button up row before the game against the New York Knicks on January 1, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement He's also modeled for various designers, including Chrome Hearts, for different magazine spreads and photo shoots. Clarkson doesn't work with a stylist, though. 6 Jordan Clarkson donned a brown fur coat and carried a red luggage bag before the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 30, 2024 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NBAE via Getty Images 6 Jordan Clarkson rocked a baggy black bomber jacket and pants with a silver chain to the Delta Center before the game on January 30, 2025 in Salt Lake City. NBAE via Getty Images Advertisement 'I just felt like I could really let my creative juices flow if I came up with what my look is and who I am,' he told Boardroom in 2023. 'I really take time to put everything into it and make sure that people can see my creative side when they see me.' Clarkson said some of his style inspirations came from retired NBA guard Brandon Jennings, former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and rapper Pharrell, the current men's creative director for Louis Vuitton. 'Seeing Brandon [Jennings] being really involved with his clothing brand [Tuff Crowd], seeing him creating a whole brand & him being one of my closer friends, has been inspiring,' he told Boardroom. 6 Jordan Clarkson donned a Yankees jersey with Louis Vuitton jean shorts and beige boots. Instagram/Jordan Clarkson 6 Jordan Clarkson often wears baggy fits and Lululemon. Instagram/Jordan Clarkson Clarkson has attended Fashion Week in Paris and New York throughout the years, and he was the face of a 2022 campaign for the activewear brand Lululemon. He often sports painted fingernails and wears diamond grillz. During a recent installment of their 'Roommates' podcast, Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, and their co-host Matt Hillman unanimously selected Clarkson to their first-team all-fits MVP. Advertisement 'The on court and off court swag, I'm going to have to go JC too,' Brunson said of Clarkson's swagger. 'JC just oozes aura,' Hart added. Advertisement There aren't many who are on Clarkson's fashion level. Some might say he could rival the legendary styles of Knicks great Walt 'Clyde' Frazier, who's known for his custom-tailored suits and bright PUMA sneakers while calling games at Madison Square Garden.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
What Michael Madsen was working on in the ‘next chapter' of his life before tragic death at 67
Veteran actor Michael Madsen was looking forward to his future before his sudden death at 67. The late star reportedly died from cardiac arrest in LA on Thursday, his manager, Ron Smith, confirmed. A prolific actor with over 300 movies and TV shows under his belt, Madsen was best known for his roles in the 'Kill Bill' movies, 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'The Hateful Eight' and 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.' Advertisement 'In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film including upcoming feature films 'Resurrection Road,' 'Concessions' and 'Cookbook for Southern Housewives,' and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,' his managers Susan Ferris and Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez told The Post in a statement. 7 Michael Madsen placing his handprint and bootprint in cement to be displayed with other celebrity cement impressions in the rooms at the Roosevelt Hotel in 2003. WireImage 7 Michael Madsen attends 'Miami Vice' 40th Anniversary Reunion Opening Night Reception on September 12, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. Getty Images Advertisement 7 Michael Madsen in 'Reservoir Dogs' in 1992. ©Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Michael was also preparing to release a new book called 'Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems' currently being edited. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.' In addition to a slew of Tarantino movies, he appeared in 'Thelma & Louise,' 'Free Willy,' 'Donnie Brasco' and 'Die Another Day.' 'Fame is a two-edged sword,' he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018. 'There are a lot of blessings but also a lot of heavy things that come with it. I think it has a lot to do with the characters I've played. I think I've been more believable than I should have been. I think people really fear me. They see me and go: 'Holy sh–t, there's that guy!'' Advertisement 7 Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Tim Roth attend the 'Reservoir Dogs' Screening during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival on April 28, 2017 in New York City. Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival Madsen added, 'But I'm not that guy. I'm just an actor. I'm a father, I've got seven children. I'm married, I've been married 20 years. When I'm not making a movie, I'm home, in pajamas, watching The 'Rifleman' on TV, hopefully with my 12-year-old making me a cheeseburger.' In 2024, Madsen filed for divorce from his wife, DeAnna Madsen, after 28 years together. He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split, per court documents obtained by The Post, and claimed that they officially separated shortly after their 26-year-old son Hudson died by suicide on Jan. 25, 2022. Advertisement 7 Michael Madsen in 'Reservoir Dogs.' Courtesy Everett Collection Harvey Keitel, 86, who was in 'Reservoir Dogs' with Michael, told The Post in a statement, 'We've lost another great American poet. Farewell, my dear friend. I'll never forget one of the best scenes I've ever seen on film, of you and Chris Penn fighting in 'Reservoir Dogs.' A great love scene. Give Chris a hug for me.' His 'Kill Bill' co-star Vivica A. Fox, for her part, told The Post: 'Had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on 'Kill Bill' and several other films! Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING onscreen presence. My deepest condolences and prayers to his family.' 7 Michael Madsen, his wife DeAnna and their daughter arrive for the signing of Michael Madsen's book 'American Badass' at Matteo's Restaurant on October 30, 2009 in Westwood, California. FilmMagic 7 Michael Madsen at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring in Parsippany, NJ., on April 27, 2025. Getty Images One of Michael's final public appearances was at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2025 in Parsippany, NJ., on April 27. 'I sure as hell had my rabble-rousing days, but sooner or later you have to get over that and move on.I guess it's part of the whole bad-boy package. But I'd rather have a movie like 'Reservoir Dogs' than not have it,' the late star told THR in 2018. 'There are a lot of actors that are a lot more recognized or famous that me, who get paid a lot more than me who haven't done even one film that you'd remember. So I feel blessed and lucky that, that whatever I've done, I've done a couple of films that will be around for a long time and are respected.'
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Stunning Connecticut country retreat once owned by Broadway legend lists for $5 million
A $5 million listing for a home older than the Revolutionary War is on the market in Danbury, Connecticut — which is approximately 50 miles northeast of NYC. The country retreat, called Roadside, dates back to the early 1700s. The historic home further boasts ties to Broadway legend Rachel Crothers, who lived and worked there until her death. Mansion Global first reported on the listing. 12 The property spans more than 53 acres. Realty Plans Advertisement 12 Playwright and former Roadside resident Rachel Crothers, pictured in 1911. Getty Images 12 A bedroom includes safari-themed murals and exposed beams. Realty Plans Few recognize Crother's name today, but her groundbreaking work made waves throughout the early twentieth century for its feminist themes and social critiques. Advertisement Crothers lived at the 53-acre property from 1918 until she died in 1958, Mansion Global reported. The 6,625-square-foot colonial-style abode includes four bedrooms and seven bathrooms, according to the listing held by Kathleen Harrison at Coldwell Banker Realty. While living in the Connecticut home, Crothers wrote and directed plays for Broadway stages and beyond, featuring leading starlets of the day like Ethel Barrymore. The playwright found early success with her 1906 play 'The Three of Us,' which enjoyed a 277-performance run at the now-demolished Madison Square Theatre — which was located on 24th Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan. One of her most famous plays, 'Susan and God,' was adapted into a 1940 film starring Joan Crawford. During Crother's decades-long tenure at the Danbury property, the home moved farther back from the road and expanded, according to the outlet. Advertisement 12 The home combines colonial and farmhouse features. Realty Plans 12 Wide plank and oak flooring spans the interiors. Realty Plans 12 The large kitchen. Realty Plans 12 The 500-bottle wine cellar. Realty Plans Advertisement 12 A bedroom. Realty Plans 12 The downstairs sunroom with several sets of French doors. Realty Plans 12 A tiled ensuite bathroom. Realty Plans Wide plank and oak flooring adds to the home's farmhouse charm, while the chef's kitchen and 500-bottle wine room offer modern perks. There's also a catering kitchen, a paneled library and an ensuite sunroom off of the primary bedroom. The listing also advertises an outdoor kitchen, a heated pool, a three-car garage and a convertible barn. The real draw of the property, however, is the surrounding land. 12 The property boasts two miles of walking trails. Realty Plans 12 A stream winds through the property. Realty Plans Advertisement Roadside's 53.44 acres include a private valley, a stream, a pond, stone bridges, a forest preserve and two miles of walking trails. Not to mention, the 315-year-old home is less than two hours from the bright lights of Crothers' beloved Broadway.
