Dave Coulier defends John Stamos against ‘negative comments’ for Bald Cap

Dave Coulier will not tolerate any hatred.

On Tuesday, November 19, the comedic actor defended the former Full house costar Johannes Stamos on Instagram after a backlash broke out the day before a series of photos the couple shared. The footage showed Stamos, 61, wearing a bald cap in support of Coulier, 65, during his cancer journey, prompting some people to shout out General Hospital alum because he was insensitive, because he could take the cap off and get his hair back.

“I’m sorry to see a lot of negative comments as I just started my cancer journey,” Coulier’s post began. “It’s our friendship (me and John) and that’s how we deal with a very difficult time. I am a comedian and humor is what drives me. John knows how to cheer me up and I laughed out loud when he arrived wearing a bald cap – a true loving friend and brother.”

“I have heard from so many people who are inspired enough by my words and actions to say they are going to see their doctor for a mammogram, a colonoscopy or a prostate exam,” he continued. “I still laugh when faced with setbacks. When I lost my sister, Sharon, my mother, Arlen, and my niece, Shannon, to cancer, we tried to stay positive and make each other laugh through the worst. I choose to spread the message about early cancer detection to help people. That’s just who I am.”

Coulier, who also disabled comments on the post, concluded: “I wish nothing but love for you all.”

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Stamos shared the photos of him with the bad cap next to Coulier on November 18. The post also included images of Stamos shaving his longtime friend’s head and posing with Coulier and his wife. Melissa.

“There’s nothing like putting on a bald cap and using some Photoshop skills to show some love and solidarity with my brother @dcoulier,” Stamos wrote in the caption. “You deal with this with such strength and positivity – it’s inspiring. I know you will get through this, and I am proud to be with you every step of the way. I love you”

“(ps- @melissacoulier is the most beautiful thing: your true lifeline!),” he added.

The comments were quickly flooded with criticism, with one person writing: “So not really supporting him. He’s posing for a photo.’

Another commented: “Aww. But really @johnstamos? You didn’t shave your head with him? Unfortunately, this is not a brotherhood. Your hair isn’t that important if it comes from someone who has good hair. I would never shave my head out of true solidarity.”

People also came to Stamos’ defense, with some noting that he can’t shave his head because of his acting jobs and others sharing their own experiences.

“As someone who has had cancer three times, I NEVER wanted anyone to shave their head for me,” one follower explained. “I think this is great and hilarious and I’m sure Dave didn’t really want him to shave his head.”

Coulier revealed his diagnosis of stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma exclusively for PEOPLE on November 13. He said an upper respiratory infection in October resulted in swelling of his lymph nodes, prompting him to get tested. He was eventually diagnosed with cancer.

“Three days later, my doctors called me back and said, ‘We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and it’s called B-cell and it’s very aggressive,’” he told PEOPLE . “I went from having a little cold to having cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming.”

“This has really been a fast roller coaster ride of a journey,” he added.

After receiving the news, he shared the information with his own Full house family — including Stamos, Candace Cameron Bure, Andrea Kapper, Jodie Zoetin, Lori Loughlin, Scott Weinger and series maker Jeff Franklin.

“I didn’t want them to hear it from anyone else, so I sent a text message,” the actor explained, adding that everyone’s response “was immediate.”

“It was just this outpouring of, ‘I’ll be there. Just name the time, and I know you’re in good hands with Mel, but what can we do?’ It’s really overwhelming how much love we have for each other. We’ve been there for each other for so many years and it’s pretty remarkable.