Think back to the early '90s. If you were watching Full House, you probably remember the revolving door of Michelle Tanner’s playmates. There was Teddy, the sweet kid who eventually moved to Texas. There was Aaron, the neighborhood brat. But then there was Denise Frazer.
Honestly, she was a breath of fresh air. While most of the kids in the Tanner universe were either overly precocious or just plain annoying, Denise had this effortless charisma. You might not have realized it then, but you were watching the birth of a serious Hollywood powerhouse.
Who Really Was Denise Frazer on Full House?
Denise Frazer first popped up in Season 6. She wasn't just another background kid; she was Michelle’s "partner in crime." Played by a young Jurnee Smollett, Denise filled the void left by Teddy (Tahj Mowry) when his character moved away.
She wasn't a carbon copy of Teddy, though. Denise was sharp. She was funny. She had a way of delivering lines that made the Olsen twins’ rehearsed "You got it, dude" energy feel a little, well, rehearsed.
One of the most memorable things about Denise was her family connection—at least in the show. In the Season 7 episode "Too Little Richard Too Late," we find out Denise is the niece of the legendary Little Richard. Yes, the "Tutti Frutti" icon himself actually appeared on the show because of her.
It was a wild moment for a family sitcom. Watching Joey Gladstone try to convince a rock and roll pioneer to perform at a PTA rally is the kind of bizarre '90s TV magic that just doesn't happen anymore.
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The Actress Behind the Character
It is sort of wild to look at Jurnee Smollett’s career now and realize she started as a recurring guest on a sugary-sweet sitcom. Most child stars from that era kind of faded away or ended up in "Where Are They Now?" slideshows.
Jurnee didn't.
After leaving Full House in 1994, she didn't slow down. She starred in the short-lived sitcom On Our Own alongside her actual siblings (including Jussie Smollett). But her real breakout—the one that made critics sit up—was the 1997 film Eve's Bayou.
If you've only seen her as Denise, Eve's Bayou will blow your mind. She played Eve Batiste with a level of soul and complexity that most adult actors can't touch. Roger Ebert famously praised her performance, and it basically cemented her as a "real" actress, not just a "TV kid."
Where you've seen her since:
- Friday Night Lights: She played Jess Merriweather in the later seasons.
- True Blood: She was Nicole Wright during the HBO show's chaotic final years.
- Birds of Prey: She literally became a superhero as Black Canary.
- Lovecraft Country: Her performance as Letitia "Leti" Lewis earned her an Emmy nomination.
What Happened to Denise in the Full House Universe?
Fans often wonder why Denise just... vanished. In the world of Full House, characters frequently disappeared without much explanation.
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In reality, Jurnee Smollett left the show because she landed her own series, On Our Own. Since Full House was already in its sunset years—ending in 1995—the writers didn't put much effort into a grand exit for Denise. She appeared in about 12 episodes total, spanning from Season 6 to Season 7.
When Teddy eventually moved back to San Francisco, the show briefly touched on the "best friend" rivalry. Michelle felt torn between her old best friend and her new one. Eventually, the trio became a little squad, which was a nice departure from the usual "only one friend allowed" trope in kids' shows.
Interestingly, Denise also appeared in the spin-off Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Back then, ABC’s "TGIF" lineup loved a good crossover. It made the whole Friday night block feel like one big, weird neighborhood.
Why the Character Still Matters Today
It's easy to dismiss Denise Frazer as just another side character in a show about a guy with a mullet and a puppet. But for a lot of viewers, she represented something important.
Full House was a very "white" show for a long time. Denise brought some much-needed diversity to the Tanner house that felt natural, not forced. She wasn't a "special episode" character; she was just Michelle’s cool friend who happened to have a superstar uncle.
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She was also remarkably confident. In an era where girl characters were often written as sidekicks or "the girl version" of the boy characters, Denise held her own. She was competitive, she was smart, and she was often the one coming up with the schemes.
Common Misconceptions About Denise Frazer
People get things mixed up all the time. Here are a few things that are actually true, despite what you might read on random forums:
- She wasn't in Fuller House: Despite the Netflix reboot bringing back almost everyone (except the Olsens), Jurnee Smollett didn't return as Denise. It's a bummer, but she was likely too busy being an A-list star.
- She isn't related to Little Richard: While the show claimed he was her uncle, that was purely fictional. Jurnee’s real family is famous, but they aren't related to the "Architect of Rock and Roll."
- She wasn't a "main" cast member: Despite her impact, Jurnee was always credited as a guest star or recurring character. She never appeared in the iconic opening credits picnic scene.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic and want to revisit the Denise Frazer era, or if you want to see how far the actress has come, here is how to dive back in:
- Watch the "Key" Episodes: Start with "The Long Goodbye" (Season 6, Episode 12) for her introduction, and definitely don't miss "Too Little Richard Too Late" (Season 7, Episode 10).
- Check Out "Eve's Bayou": If you want to see the exact moment Jurnee Smollett went from child star to powerhouse, this movie is essential viewing. It’s currently available on several major streaming platforms.
- Follow Her Current Work: Jurnee is very active in the industry and often speaks about her time as a child actor. Following her on social media gives you a glimpse into her activism and her upcoming film projects.
- Look for the Crossovers: If you can find old episodes of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, keep an eye out for Denise's appearances there. It’s a fun piece of 1990s TV history that often gets overlooked.
Denise Frazer might have been a small part of the Tanner saga, but the talent behind her was massive. It's rare that a "best friend" character on a sitcom goes on to lead major HBO dramas and DC superhero movies, but Jurnee Smollett proves that even the smallest roles can be the start of something huge.