Soap Opera History

Lori Loughlin Facts: Celebrities Who Started On Soaps

Published by

Shado Saeyang

5 years ago

Lori Loughlin is best known for starring as Becky Donaldson on Full House, but the actress has appeared in everything from Hallmark movies and television shows to Seinfeld to Blue Bloods.

Despite being tangled in the college admissions scandal that has swept the nation, Loughlin has had a very successful career and has been a staple in Hollywood since she was a teenager. From her first soap role to landing her part on Full House, here are five fast facts about the actress.

Who Is Lori Loughlin?

Loughlin was born on July 11 in Queens, New York, but she was raised in Hauppauge, New York on Long Island. She started print modeling in Manhattan when she was only 11 years old, and she later graduated from Hauppauge High School.

On The Edge of Stardom
After starting out a model, Lori Loughlin was cast in the ABC soap opera The Edge of the Night when she was just 15. She played the younger sister of longtime heroine Nicole Travis — Jody — who was an aspiring dancer and was on the show for three years.

From Six Episodes to Full Time
Loughlin’s career truly took off when she was cast as Becky Donaldson on Full House in the late ‘80s, but she was only supposed to be on the show for six episodes. However, the audience loved her and the writers decided to keep her on and have her fall in love with Jesse, played by General Hospital alumni, John Stamos (ex-Blackie).

Reboot Role

Loughlin was later cast on the rebooted Beverly Hills, 90210 show — called 90210 — as Debbie Wilson, the mother of the two main characters, Annie and Dixon Wilson. She was on the show as a regular for the first three seasons, and she ended up returning to the role in Season 5.

Getting Personal With Lori Loughlin
Loughlin was married to investment banker Michael R. Burns from 1989 to 1996. She then married fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli in 1997. The couple has two daughters together, Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade. Olivia has a very successful YouTube channel with over one million followers.