Actor John Stamos recounted his brief and humorous encounter with the Church of Scientology during his teenage years, PEOPLE reported.
John Stamos, at 61, is widely recognized for his role in the popular TV show "Full House." But long before his rise to fame, Stamos had a peculiar experience as a teenager that few might know about. During a recent interview and in his memoir "If You Would Have Told Me," Stamos shared an amusing story from when he was 16 or 17 years old about being kicked out of a Church of Scientology meeting.
Stamos was unknowingly invited to a meeting at the Church of Scientology by a female classmate. He narrated, "She said, 'You know, we're all meeting at this address on Hollywood Boulevard. Come after [class],'" not realizing the nature of the gathering. At that time, Stamos was helping at his father's restaurant and left work to attend. "I was working at my dad's restaurant at the time, and I said, 'Dad, I gotta, I gotta go.' So I went, and it was the Scientology building!" Stamos recalled his surprise upon reaching the venue.
At the Scientology building, Stamos encountered an E-meter, a device used within the church for auditing sessions. Naively, handling the device, began to joke around, which would soon lead to his early dismissal from the meeting. Recounting his actions, Stamos said, "I'm holding these two cans, so I started [saying], you know, 'Hello… Peabody in the Wayback Machine,'" which did not sit well with the church representatives.
The members of the church did not appreciate the young Stamos's playful attitude and light-hearted comments. His irreverence quickly led to him being asked to leave. "I was just f---ing around so much that they said, 'Get out. Get. Go.' They just kinda kicked me out," Stamos humorously recalled during the interview. His memoir further echoes this sentiment, stating, "I am whisked out of the room and sent on my merry way. I'm not Scientology material. Darn it."
Despite the awkward and brief interaction with the Church of Scientology, Stamos's career was not hampered. On the contrary, it was around this time that he chanced upon a pivotal encounter that would significantly shape his understanding of stardom and presence. While visiting the set of "Grease," Stamos observed John Travolta, a renowned actor and a long-time Scientologist, whose charisma captivated him instantly.
Recalling his meeting with Travolta, Stamos shared, "I don't know the meaning of the word 'charisma' at that point, but I learn the essence encoded in the concept when Travolta moves like a panther parting the crowd in that iconic black suit with a pink shirt, white socks, and pocket square. He's oozing charm and radiating an aura of greatness."
This observation made a significant impression on the young Stamos, inspiring him to aspire to a similar aura and presence. "That! I want to be that!" exclaimed Stamos, reflecting on his admiration for Travolta.
John Stamos's journey through the peculiar territory of his youth, marked by a swift rejection from the Church of Scientology and a transformative celebrity encounter, underscores the unpredictable nature of life in the limelight.
The incident, shared decades later, serves not only as a humorous anecdote from his past but as a reminder of the diverse experiences that often precede celebrity status.
In sharing this story with the public, Stamos's narrative provides a deeper insight into the early influences and encounters that shaped his path to becoming a beloved actor. Embedded within these tales are the lessons of resilience and the power of charisma—a potent combination that defines Stamos's enduring appeal.
