For much of the 1990s, Jaleel White was the face of prime-time family television. As Steve Urkel—the accident-prone, suspender-wearing nerd with a nasally voice and iconic catchphrases like “Did I do that?”—White captured the hearts of millions. Originally meant to be a one-off guest star on Family Matters, Urkel quickly became the breakout character, so popular that he practically took over the show.
But behind the thick glasses and lovable clumsiness was a growing tension, one that would eventually erupt into scandal. What started as innocent popularity soon turned into allegations of on-set bullying, clashing egos, and strained relationships with co-stars. As White matured from child star to adult actor, his reputation took a hit—prompting fans to ask: Was Jaleel White the victim of fame, or the villain behind the scenes?
The Rise of a Nerd Icon
Jaleel White was just 12 years old when he debuted as Steve Urkel in 1989. His character’s nerdy voice, vintage fashion sense, and awkward antics turned Family Matters from a modest sitcom into a national phenomenon. The producers, recognizing the character’s magnetic appeal, rewrote the show’s focus around him.
By the early ’90s, White was a household name. He was nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, had merchandise lines, and even inspired dance crazes (“Do the Urkel”). But as his star rose, some say it came at the cost of harmony on set.
Tension with Cast Members
The cracks in the foundation began to show by the mid-1990s. According to cast interviews, not everyone was thrilled with how the show became “The Urkel Show.” JoMarie Payton (Harriette Winslow) and Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow), who were initially the show’s central parental figures, reportedly grew frustrated with the shift in focus.
Payton, in particular, has spoken candidly in later interviews. On a 2021 episode of Uncensored, she recalled a tense moment during a scene involving White’s alter ego Myrtle Urkel—a character where White dressed in drag.
“He wanted to do something and I said, ‘We can’t do that, standards and practices won’t let us.’ And he said something like, ‘I’m not doing that!’ and walked off set. I said, ‘If he does that again, I’m going to knock him into next week.’”
While Payton admits she never physically confronted White, the emotional toll was real. The scene was never completed, and tensions reportedly lingered for the remainder of her time on the show.
The Myrtle Controversy
One of the more contentious aspects of White’s performance was his portrayal of “Myrtle Urkel,” a recurring character who exaggerated Southern belle stereotypes while also being played in drag. While fans initially embraced the humor, behind the scenes it was another point of friction.
Some crew members and cast felt uncomfortable with the drag performance, especially in a family-friendly setting. Others believed it was a desperate attempt to squeeze more screen time for Urkel in any form. The debates, both in private and in public media forums, were never fully resolved.
The Wardrobe Incident
One of the most bizarre scandals surrounding Jaleel White came in the form of… tight jeans.
During the show’s later seasons, White had grown from a gangly teen into a muscular young man. Producers reportedly asked him to wear looser jeans and longer shirts to “conceal his bulge,” fearing it would disrupt the character’s boyish innocence and distract family audiences.
White later referenced this in an interview, saying:
“I was a teenager becoming a man, and they still wanted me to be a kid. I felt trapped in that image, even off-camera.”
This episode highlighted the uncomfortable tension between reality and branding, especially for child actors forced to remain perpetually young in the public eye.
Was Jaleel White a Bully?
Perhaps the most damaging allegations came from how White allegedly treated others on set. While no reports of physical altercations exist, several cast members—including Payton and Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow)—have alluded to White becoming difficult to work with.
In a 2021 TV One interview, McCrary said:
“It got to a point where the respect factor had to be addressed. When you grow up with someone and suddenly they’re treated like they’re better than everyone else—it causes problems.”
White, for his part, has acknowledged that he wasn’t always easy to work with. In a revealing UNCENSORED episode, he said:
“I was dealing with fame, hormones, pressure, and the feeling that I was being used. I didn’t handle it well sometimes. I regret how I treated some people.”
Fame, Identity, and the Urkel Trap
Being typecast is a common struggle for child actors, and White was no exception. Despite having talent beyond the role of Urkel—including writing and producing—he found it almost impossible to escape the shadow of his own creation.
He voiced Sonic the Hedgehog in the animated series and appeared in other shows and films, but the media and audiences alike kept pulling him back to the suspenders.
“You don’t realize until it’s too late that people don’t see you, they see a cartoon character,” White said in an interview with VladTV.
This identity crisis may explain much of the behavior his co-stars experienced. As White wrestled with who he was versus who the world thought he was, his personal and professional lives blurred.
Redemption and Reflection
Today, Jaleel White has softened his image. He’s appeared in shows like Dancing with the Stars, started a cannabis business, and even made peace with some of his former co-stars.
In recent interviews, he expresses regret for how things went down during Family Matters but also insists that he was a young man thrust into a high-pressure spotlight.
“I didn’t get into acting to be a pop culture icon. I wanted to be respected. And somewhere along the way, I lost control of the narrative.”
He continues to work in entertainment, though largely behind the scenes now, producing and occasionally acting in independent projects.
FAQs
Q1: Did Jaleel White really have conflicts with his Family Matters co-stars?
Yes. Multiple cast members have confirmed tensions with White, particularly during the show’s later seasons. Most of the conflict centered around creative control and behavior on set.
Q2: Was Jaleel White fired from the show?
No, he was never fired. In fact, his character became so popular that he effectively became the lead. However, the cast dynamic suffered as a result.
Q3: What was the issue with Jaleel White’s wardrobe?
As White matured, producers asked him to wear looser clothing to keep his appearance “childlike.” This reportedly made him feel objectified and embarrassed.
Q4: Did Jaleel White ever apologize to his co-stars?
Publicly, yes. In multiple interviews, White has expressed regret for how he acted under pressure, acknowledging that fame made him “hard to deal with.”
Q5: What is Jaleel White doing now?
He works in entertainment sporadically, including producing, acting in smaller projects, and running a cannabis brand called “ItsPurpl.”
