Jaleel White

A young Jaleel White is like Lucille Ball to me. Allow me to explain. I have watched I Love Lucy many times, the same episodes over and over. That show has always been in my life. No matter how many times I’ve watched the show and even though I know what’s going to happen, Lucille Ball can always make me laugh. Jaleel White as Steve Urkel on Family Matters is the same in that way. While we’re talking about it, Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air belongs in this category as well.

Born Jaleel Ahmad White in Culver City, California on November 27, 1976, White got into acting on the advice of his preschool teacher. He began his acting career at the ripe ole age of 3. Although best known for his role on Family Matters, White had many credits under his belt before securing that role in 1989 at the age of 12.

Family Matters

Family Matters has not always been in my life, but it has been around the last 30 years which is a good chunk of my life. (NOTE: I’m posting this blog on 9/21/20. Tomorrow (9/22/20) will be the 31st anniversary of the debut of Family Matters.) Family Matters was part of the ABC Friday night TGIF lineup. It was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers which was also on Friday nights. Full House was part of the lineup as well. What a great night of TV!

Steve Urkel wasn’t a regular cast member in the beginning of Family Matters. In fact, he wasn’t even on the show the first couple of episodes. The character was only supposed to appear once as a neighbor, but the audience went crazy and more episodes with Steve Urkel were added. Soon, the entire show was centered around the character of Steve Urkel. Jaleel White really got to show off his acting chops, playing many different characters. Because of his popularity, there were Urkel trading cards, cereal, shirts, a talking doll, posters, and more.

I read somewhere that Jaleel White wasn’t allowed to lift weights because the show didn’t want him to look like a man as he went through puberty. He was also required to shave daily so as to continue that child/boy like quality. When he got older and was clearly through puberty, Steve Urkel wore baggy clothes to cover up his muscles.

Cosby

Here’s a bit of fun trivia. Jaleel White was very close to being cast on The Cosby Show. When I first read this, I assumed he was going to play the role of Theo (which went to Malcolm Jamal Warner). Jaleel was actually going for the part of Rudy, the youngest child. That character was played by Keshia Knight-Pulliam, but it was originally supposed to be a boy. I read where he thought he had the part. I don’t know if that’s a young boy misunderstanding the biz or if he really did have the part and then Cosby changed it at the last second. Sounds like Jaleel was broken hearted. I’m happy it worked out the way it did. Keshia was adorable as Rudy and more importantly, I would have never had my Urkel if Jaleel ended up as a Huxtable. It’s all about me.

Grown Up

I’ve heard things here and there about Jaleel White as he got older. I think he might have some anger issues, but whatever. Everyone has their own race to run and life to live. Jaleel has 95 acting credits on IMDB, so he has kept busy. I’ve tried to watch him in other shows, but I just can’t get into it. I’ve read where he’s upset that he was typecast as Urkel. That was probably true when the show ended in the late 90’s, but I wouldn’t think it would affect him today. I hope Jaleel continues doing what he’s doing and I thank him for making me laugh every time I turn on Family Matters.

Check out my Urkel pinups in my eBay store.