In “Family Matters” which aired from 1989 until 1998, Jaleel White enthralled many viewers in his many roles. He had fans laughing as he appeared as Steve Urkel, Stefan Urquelle, Myrtle Urkel, Bruce Lee Urkel, and O.G.D.
On September 16, 2023, the show’s cast reunited 25 years after the series concluded at Florida’s Tampa Convention Center for ’90s Con. While Kellie Williams, 47, Reginald VelJohnson, 71, and Jo Marie Payton, 73, were seen at the event, White, 46, was noticeably absent.
The former castmates spoke openly about their missing former colleagues, with Payton saying, “Hate is not a part of whatever you do. I will always love him.” The actress admitted it’s normal to sometimes clash, but that didn’t change her love for him. She added:
“He was always a child to me, and I don’t care how old he is, he’s still a child to me…to me, no matter how old he gets, he’ll still be a baby. And I forgive everything because I have that kind of heart to get past stuff.”
Meanwhile, VelJohnson acknowledged how White’s entry into the show posed some difficulties. “He had a lot to deal with because we were already established as a family, but he had to get into the group and introduce himself,” he said. He also expressed his love for White saying:
“We love him. We’re sorry he’s not here, but he’s a special person.”
Asked what they would say to White if he was around that day, Payton shared, “If you were here and I could hug you, I would. Because I don’t hold anything, and I don’t want you to hold anything either . I still love you,”
Williams revealed she still talks to White, so all she said was, “He knows I love his crazy butt.” As for VelJohnson, he said, “I love you, Jaleel. You’re wonderful. Sorry you’re not here. We miss you.”
In the past, White shared how he didn’t have the warmest feelings toward his “Family Matters” role. The actor once revealed that his co-stars didn’t support him much and even tried putting him down, leading his father to defend him.
What Did Jaleel Say about His Urkel Roles and How His Co-star Treated Him?
In 2011, White said he felt unrecognized for being able to play various roles. By then, the actor had starred as Elvis Presley, a woman, and Bruce Lee, noting his versatility even though that wasn’t the tag used to describe him. The “House, M.D.” star couldn’t fathom why he wasn’t getting that recognition.
Although his role on “Family Matters” made him visible everywhere he went, White confessed he wasn’t “big” on reminiscing about the days of playing Urkel and doesn’t miss it:
“I really don’t. I’m not trying to get away from it or anything like that, but I don’t miss the role at all – really.”
For White, he just wanted to continue working and for his daughter to know what he does, and not what he did.
In 2021, the actor elaborates further about his time on the series, revealing how he missed seeing that he was stepping on other people’s toes by taking their shine. During an episode of “Uncensored,” he made a shocking revelation stating:
“It’s very important that I say this: I was not very well welcomed to the cast at all, okay?”
The star recalls the pair attacking him about doing a disservice to their race by wearing a yellow dress. After finishing the take, he fell apart and cried, but his father, Michael, stepped in, noting how his son shouldn’t be carrying the burden of some adults.
