Candace Cameron Bure’s Near-Fatal Fuller House Stunt: A Harrowing Zip-Line Accident and Its Lasting Impact

Hollywood productions are renowned for their elaborate stunts and action sequences, often requiring actors to push their physical limits. However, behind the glamour, the risks involved can be incredibly real and, at times, life-threatening. This stark reality was recently brought to light by former Fuller House star Candace Cameron Bure, who recounted a terrifying incident on the set of the beloved Netflix spinoff that nearly cost her her life. The 48-year-old actress, known for her role as D.J. Tanner, shared the harrowing details during an episode of the “How Rude, Tanneritos!” podcast, which she co-hosts with her former castmates Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber, shedding light on the often unseen dangers of television production.

During the podcast’s April 18 episode, Candace candidly described the moment a zip-lining stunt, intended to be a lighthearted scene for her character, went horribly wrong. The scene involved D.J. Tanner attempting to conquer an American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course set up in the iconic Tanner living room. What was meant to be a fun, albeit challenging, sequence quickly spiraled into a near-fatal accident due to a critical safety oversight.

“I went through the course, and at the end, I zip lined diagonally the length of the living room, and then I landed on a platform,” Candace explained, painting a vivid picture of the stunt’s design. The conceptualization sounds exciting and playful, perfectly aligning with the family-friendly tone of Fuller House. However, the execution during rehearsal proved to be anything but. “But during rehearsal, the rig was not set up correctly, and there was no safety stop on the end of it.” This crucial detail — the absence of a safety stop — transformed a routine rehearsal into a moment of extreme peril.

The veteran Full Housecast member continued to detail the terrifying climax of the incident. “When I landed off the zip line and stopped, the whole mechanism — which is all metal and very, very heavy — slid right off the track and came right next to my head within an inch. … If I just even shifted my weight the tiniest bit, it would have probably broken my neck and landed right on top of my head.” This chilling account underscores the razor-thin margin between safety and catastrophe in stunt work. The metal rig, described as “very, very heavy,” posed an immediate and lethal threat, and Candace’s quick reflexes or sheer luck were the only things preventing a devastating outcome. The mere thought of a slight shift in weight changing her destiny highlights the inherent dangers performers face when even seemingly minor stunts are not properly secured.

The Immediate Aftermath and Commitment to Safety

The severity of the incident was not lost on the production team. Candace recalled the swift and decisive actions taken in response to the near-tragedy. “The stunt guy was fired,” she stated, indicating the seriousness with which safety protocols are (or should be) enforced on professional sets. Furthermore, the director, Mark Cendrowski, made an immediate and unequivocal decision to prioritize safety above all else. “And [director] Mark [Cendrowski]’s like, ‘We’re not doing this stunt. Like, redo the whole set, because we’re not doing that stunt anymore.’” This decision, while perhaps costly in terms of production time and resources, was a necessary testament to the paramount importance of cast and crew well-being. It sends a clear message that no scene, no matter how integral or exciting, is worth risking an actor’s life.

The traumatic event left a lasting impression not only on Candace but also on those who witnessed it. Her co-star Scott Weinger, who portrayed D.J.’s long-time love interest Steve, was present and utterly speechless. Candace explained, he “couldn’t even get a word out because it happened within one second.” This speaks volumes about the suddenness and shock of the incident, leaving even seasoned professionals momentarily stunned. Such moments serve as stark reminders of the high-stakes environment inherent in film and television production, where meticulous planning and flawless execution are not just desired but absolutely essential.

Beyond the Trauma: A Deep Love for the Fuller House Family

Despite the “traumatic” nature of the zip-lining incident, Candace Cameron Bure’s affection for her work on Fuller House remained unwavering. She emphasized how much she loved being part of the spinoff series, showcasing the deep bonds formed among the cast and crew. This sentiment is common in long-running productions, where colleagues become a second family, navigating the highs and lows of their demanding careers together. This resilience and professional dedication are hallmarks of actors who pour their hearts into their roles, even when faced with significant challenges.

Fuller House, which served as a continuation of the beloved 1980s and 90s sitcom Full House, captivated audiences for five successful seasons before concluding in 2020. The show brought back original cast members and introduced a new generation of Tanners, fostering a fresh wave of nostalgia and creating new memories for fans. Its success inevitably led to widespread interest in yet another spinoff or revival, a testament to the enduring popularity of the Tanner family saga and the desire of fans to revisit their cherished characters.

The Enduring Legacy and an Uncertain Future

The world of Full House and Fuller House faced an immense loss in 2022 with the tragic passing of original series cast member Bob Saget, who iconically portrayed family patriarch Danny Tanner. Saget was not just a co-star but a genuine friend and father figure to many of his castmates, and his death left a profound void in the hearts of the cast, crew, and millions of fans worldwide. His absence casts a long shadow over any future discussions of the franchise, leaving the fate of potential new projects uncertain.

Last year, Jodie Sweetin, 42, who played Stephanie Tanner, exclusively revealed toHollywood Life that the idea of another Full House series isn’t entirely off the table. However, she candidly expressed the immense challenge of proceeding without Bob Saget. His character, Danny Tanner, was the emotional anchor of the family, providing wisdom, warmth, and the trademark “hug it out” philosophy that resonated deeply with audiences. Reimagining the series without that central pillar presents a formidable creative and emotional hurdle.

“I would always leave that door open [to work on another show], but I will say that I think now without Bob — that’s been … on all of our minds is like, would it ever be the same without, without Danny Tanner?” Jodie pondered during her December 2023 interview with Hollywood Life. Her words reflect the genuine dilemma faced by the cast. While the desire to continue the beloved story is strong, the emotional and narrative gaps left by Saget’s passing are undeniable. “So, we’ll see. But I will never say that I wouldn’t play Stephanie [again],” she concluded, leaving a glimmer of hope for fans while acknowledging the profound challenges ahead.

The Human Element of Stunts: A Deeper Dive

The Candace Cameron Bure incident serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate and often perilous world of on-set stunt work. While stunt doubles are often employed to handle the most dangerous sequences, actors themselves frequently perform smaller, yet still risky, actions. This requires a meticulous level of planning, coordination, and adherence to safety protocols by the entire production team. Stunt coordinators are specialists who meticulously design and execute these sequences, conducting countless rehearsals, assessing risks, and ensuring that all equipment is in perfect working order and correctly set up. They are responsible for the well-being of everyone involved in a stunt, making the oversight in Candace’s case particularly alarming.

Every piece of equipment, from a simple harness to a complex rig, must undergo rigorous inspection. The failure of a single component, or a miscalculation in its setup, can have catastrophic consequences, as Candace’s experience vividly demonstrates. The “all metal and very, very heavy” mechanism could have caused irreparable harm, highlighting the importance of redundant safety measures and exhaustive checks before any action is performed. The firing of the stunt coordinator involved, and the director’s immediate decision to scrap the stunt altogether, underscore the industry’s strict stance on safety failures, demonstrating that negligence has severe professional repercussions.

In conclusion, Candace Cameron Bure’s terrifying brush with danger on the set of Fuller House offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes environment of Hollywood production. It highlights the critical importance of stringent safety measures in stunt work and the profound impact that even minor oversights can have. While the incident was harrowing, Candace’s unwavering love for her work and her television family speaks to the deep connections forged within the industry. As fans ponder the future of the Full House universe, the legacy of Bob Saget and the lessons learned from on-set safety incidents will undoubtedly shape any potential next chapters, ensuring that the magic of television is always created with the utmost care and responsibility.