Lori Loughlin, a face familiar to many from Full House, was spotted having dinner with fellow actor James Tupper. This friendly outing happened on October 1st in West Hollywood. Just a single day later, big news about Loughlin’s personal life broke. She and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, had separated.
Photos from TMZ captured the pair at The Bird Streets Club. Loughlin, 61, and Tupper, 60, have worked together before. They appeared in Great American Family films like A Christmas Blessing and Fall Into Winter. For their night out, Loughlin wore jeans and a black blazer, completing her look with a black purse. Tupper opted for a business casual style. He chose jeans, a blazer, and a white button-down shirt. After dinner, they shared a hug as their cars arrived for valet service, then drove off along Sunset Boulevard.
A representative for Loughlin quickly addressed the sighting. They told Us Weekly that Lori and James are "old friends" who have also worked together. Us Weekly also reached out to Tupper’s representative for comment.
The dinner felt casual and warm. However, it took place just before the public learned of Loughlin’s split. The news confirmed that Loughlin and Giannulli, 62, had ended their marriage of almost 28 years. On October 2nd, Loughlin’s representative told Us Weekly that the couple is "now living separately." The representative added that no legal divorce proceedings are currently underway.
Loughlin and Giannulli secretly married in November 1997, just days before Thanksgiving. They share two daughters: Isabella Rose, 27, and Olivia Jade, 26.
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli Donato Sardella/WireImage
This estranged couple had already navigated a very public challenge. They faced the 2019 college admissions scandal together. Both served jail time for their roles in the scandal. They got through that difficult period only to part ways years later.
Lori Loughlin recently spoke about facing life’s hurdles. In April 2024, she told FIRST for Women, "Every day we face different obstacles." She continued, saying, "I fall, but I get up," like a familiar song. Loughlin believes everyone makes mistakes. The important thing, she stressed, is to keep moving forward. The actress also shared that her biggest passion is her family, especially her daughters. When asked to describe herself now, Loughlin chose words like "kind" and "strong." She also described herself as "open to life, open to experience" and "grateful."
James Tupper also has experience with public life and personal struggles. He’s found success in Hollywood, with roles in hit shows like Big Little Lies and Revenge. However, he has also faced profound grief in his life. Tupper was in a long-term relationship with actress Anne Heche. They were together from 2007 to 2018. They share a son, Atlas, who is 16 years old. Tragically, Anne Heche died in August 2022. Her passing followed a car accident in the Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Since Heche’s death, Tupper has focused on being the best father possible for Atlas. He spoke exclusively to Us Weekly in December 2024, at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. "I love being a dad," he said, calling it the most important thing to him. He expressed immense joy and pride seeing Atlas grow up, learn to stand up for himself, and fight through challenges. Atlas also shared his feelings about his dad before the holidays. He told Us Weekly, "He really does everything." Atlas added, "He is everything to me… I love him very much."