John Phillip Stamos (pronounced /ˈsteɪmoʊs/ STAY-mohs; born August 19, 1963; is an American actor best known for his work in television, especially as Uncle Jesse on the ABC sitcom Full House. Since the cancellation of that show in 1995, Stamos has appeared in numerous television films and series. From 2006 to 2009, Stamos had a starring role on the NBC medical drama ER. In September 2009, he began playing the role of Albert in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.

Stamos began his acting career with a role on the television show General Hospital as Blackie Parrish, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1984. Then General Hospital casting director Gary Price noted that Stamos did not read for any particular parts. His stint on General Hospital got him noticed with daytime viewers, but by 1984 Stamos decided to move on when he auditioned for, and got the lead role, in a short-lived CBS sitcom called Dreams, in which he played an aspiring American musician.

ABC's Full House gradually became a hit, and the show solidified Stamos' career. In the first season, his character's full name was credited as Jesse Cochran. During the second season he then changed his character's last name to Katsopolis to highlight his Greek heritage, according to Jeff Franklin. The series was canceled after eight seasons.