"Everyone's suddenly a matchmaker," says Stamos, famously single since splitting from his wife, Rebecca Romijn, last April (their divorce became final March 1). Stamos, 41, is also playing the field in his new ABC sitcom, Jake in Progress, as a slick publicist looking for love. He spoke to PEOPLE correspondent Ulrica Wihlborg about dating onscreen and off.
Why did you choose a character whose life parallels your own: a guy who's suddenly single after a long relationship and wants to find true love?
As my life took a turn, I wanted to explore what I was going through. Most of my friends are in their 30s and haven't found real love. I've always been a relationship guy. I was in two-or three-year relationships before I met Rebecca, and we were together 10 years. It was a good ride. I look back at it with such fondness.
You seemed to disappear from the spotlight as her career was taking off.
I was pouring a lot of my attention towards her. I was really proud of her, and I felt I was integral in her becoming an actress. But still, I really ignored myself and my career during many of those years. I'm walking a little taller now. I got some of me back.
It was rumored that you split up because of jealousy over her career.
We weren't exactly up for the same jobs, so what's there to be jealous of? We both weren't getting everything we needed out of our marriage, and it was time to move on for both of us. And that's that.
How did you deal with being alone after the split?
I grew a really long beard. I took two or three months and drank beer and fished every day off my balcony [at the house he rented in Malibu]. It's been interesting and scary. I've had a lot of lonely nights. But if you don't put yourself in an uncomfortable position, you're never going to grow.
Rebecca has been dating Jerry O'Connell. Are you seeing anyone?
I don't know if I'm ready to be in a relationship. Early on after we split up, I said I'm dying to get married again and have kids. But the more time that's gone by, the more I don't know if I'm ready to jump back in. And I refuse to get into a rebound situation. I don't think that's fair. There are two playing fields for me in dating. There's the dangerous arena, where it's partying and different girls every night. It's alluring. But then there's the higher, sacred ground, where you spend more time alone and learn about yourself. I've been bumping between the two of them, but when I put myself in the higher place, that's when good things happen in my life.
What did you learn about marriage?
Hold a special place for the two of you. If you let other people into that place, things get messy. Look, would I do it all over again? Yes. Would I do things differently next time? Yes, obviously. I think family is important. I think it's important to have a similar background. Those are the relationships I see that work out.
How are you feeling now?
Without sounding too corny, I really feel like I've started a new chapter. I wake up with excitement every day. I feel like a kid again.
Where do you see your life heading eventually?
Well, I've been thinking about retirement. Maybe I'll go to Australia to open my own restaurant, a little fast-food place on the beach. I'll play in a crappy old rock and roll band, kick back, have a couple of kids and hang out on the beach. I like acting, but I won't be doing it until I'm 90.
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