Jaleel White | The Many Ups & Downs of His Career, Family Matters Drama, Fallout With Bill Cosby

[@thebrownbaldy]

It really irks me when black folks say,"you're not black enough" and/or "you're talking white", as if they weren't entertained by Steve Urkel 😅. Kudos to him for staying on his grind and especially saying less about his time with Cosby.

[@NellieKAdaba]

I agree.

[@TheLovesnowangel]

And let’s not forget to mention speaking broken English or using colloquialism does not make you sound black. That’s stereotypical and it’s sad that a lot of black people think that. It’s enough that racist nonblack people think that’s how we all sound so we don’t need to share the same sentiments towards each other. Also not all whyte people sound “proper” so to say you sound whyte when you talk with class is helping whyte people feel superior (as if they need help with that.)

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@TheLovesnowangel?

[@lovelymelanin9336]

Yes blacks we need to stick together! Whites stick together, Puerto Ricans ….etc do! Blacks the only ones that don’t stick together and that’s why we get killed by other races kill us!

[@danavixen6274]

Steve Urkel will ALWAYS be one of those characters synonymous with an ICONIC TV show. I grew up watching Family Matters CONSTANTLY! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@elliot2177]

me,too.TGIF..

[@danavixen6274]

@@elliot2177 That was a big deal!

[@NellieKAdaba]

I love him as well.

[@kidkytes6233]

Jaleel is really appreciated within the Sonic fanbase for being the first voice of Sonic, especially when Sonic's popularity was at it's prime. He voiced him in three different animated series. Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (commoningly referred to as SatAM) and Sonic Underground.

[@thecosmicblueautie]

Jaleel came at a time where being the nerd was completely in comedy-wise. Screech, Topanga, Urkel... So he was a part of that legacy. I understand not wanting such a role to take over your life,but he added to quite a legacy for comedy.

[@NellieKAdaba]

I agree.

[@maryperry6573]

Off topic, but did you say Topanga over MINKUS?? 😹

[@thecosmicblueautie]

@@maryperry6573 Sheeeit, both. The nerds brought the funny in the 90s!

[@NRV0]

@@maryperry6573 I forget but wasn't she more a hippie in her early teen years?

[@jennzifur]

@@NRV0yes. She was hippie-like. Not Minkus-level lol

[@elliot2177]

He is the part of the reason why I like Family Matters more than The Cosby Show.His character took that show to the top.I loved the whole TGIF line-up.

[@zzizahacallar]

That was part of my childhood

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

The fact Jaleel White is almost 50 yrs old🙄 it dont matter what age he will always be known for Steve Urkel/one of the most iconic characters of the 90s.

[@nicolesherman8974]

“Did I do that????” Steve Urkel will forever be iconic. Him and Myra was cute together, as well as Laura 🥹❤️. It’s sad that Jaleel White was typecasted and people only saw him as Steve Urkel.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

Most actors would kill for that type of typecasting and the checks that went with it.

[@thecosmicblueautie]

​@@IceManLikeGervin They also would kill for a longer and more decorated career that being typecasted wouldn't afford you.

[@StreetHierarchy]

The reverse was just as good! "...look what you did!"

[@zanthus7]

@@IceManLikeGervin No one wants to be typecast from any role because that labelling says they can't do anything else. So if Jaleel wants to play a character that is completely different from Steve Urkel, he would not get it because Steve Urkel is the only character that producers and directors see when they look at Jaleel. Actors like to prove they can play more than one or two characters.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

@@zanthus7 Jaleel has done other things outside of Family Matters including his own sitcom: Grown Ups (1999). He has been working in various tv/movie roles as well post Family Matters- go to IMDB. The fact is that Urkel role financially set Jaleel and his family up for life.

[@JadedJassy21]

Same thing happened to Good Times and Fresh Prince. One character took completely over!

[@hiphopjewels]

I disagree about Fresh Prince though. The name of the show has "Fresh Prince" in it, and he was always the only one in the opening theme to the show. It was always his show from the beginning, and he was meant to be the focus of the show, but he was calling shots more behind the scenes as time went on. Good Times is a perfect example. That show was not meant to revolve around JJ.

[@evelyn7881]

Happy Days too. THE FONZ.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

Fresh Prince was a Will Smith vehicle, I disagree on that as a comparison. Urkle was more like ‘the Fonz’ on Happy Days. The Fonz was intended to be a one-off character and wasn’t even a family member, but was so popular he stuck and became the show’s star.

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White also appeared on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Derek in the Not with My Cousin You Don't

[@NellieKAdaba]

I never saw that episode.

[@SeeItsReggieT]

The episode with Ashley possibly getting ready to lose her virginity. Mm-hmm. I saw that.

[@TheRetroWoman80]

🤓"Laura....you love me, don't you??!!"😂😂 I used to always look forward to TGIF back in the day.

[@beemocha]

I actually watch Family Matters REGULARLY! Thank you HBO MAX & Hulu!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 One of my favorite episodes was when Waldo learns how to tap dance 🕺🏿 😂😂 I love that it’s an all-Black cast & they were a positive representation for Black families ❤ plus the show is a perfect balance of funny & corny lol. Jaleel always been fine to me😍😍I don’t think he like the sistas tho 😕 I been following him on Instagram for years. Never knew about that Dancing With The Stars incident 😮

[@TheNewgreatlife]

Last year I started watching Family Matters again for the first time since the early 2000s probably since the episodes were coming up constantly on Facebook Watch. The show was an awesome and well-balanced representation of black families and I also agree that I don't think Jaleel feels the sistas too much at least not sexually. It's sad because it seems that half of the black men in Hollywood (and real life) are like that.

[@beemocha]

@@TheNewgreatlife very true ☕️ but Jaleel handles it the way you’re supposed to handle it when you date outside your race ; be with whoever you wanna be with but don’t put down the women in your own community in the process..

[@TheNewgreatlife]

@@beemocha You’re right about that now!

[@jeromewhite7681]

I remember that episode😂

[@beemocha]

@@jeromewhite7681 lmao it’s hilarious!

[@nathaniel8328]

I had always admired Jaleel White learning more what he went through as a child actor. At least his parent's kept him discipline.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Jaleel is more protective

[@kevinpayton2664]

He waz so popular on Family Matters that people were calling the show "Urkel" as if it was the title of it. My uncle used to say "What time does Steve Urkel come on?"

[@LiveFromTheGarage]

True shit!

[@cewe2003]

Yup. I found myself saying that when discribing the show to my husband, who didn’t grow up watching it but he knew who Urkel was.

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

I didn’t know Jaleel’s real name for a looong time. He was Steve Urkel period 😆 FAMILY MATTERS was a wholesome family show that was kinda dry before Jaleel got there and made it funny and worthwhile to watch every week. I wish him continued success.

[@MonicaMariaMclean-zi1fs]

I know Julio white what's on the Jefferson.

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White also appeared in the movie Big Fat Liar with Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes, Paul Giamatti, and Donald Faison

[@NellieKAdaba]

I forgot.

[@dejstoney]

And Dream Girls. He should have had a bigger role in both.

[@AmoMe2009]

Jaleel White unfortunately is the perfect example of an unfortunate type cast(or one hit wonder unfortunately). The average person only knows him as Steve Urkel. Even Alfonso Rubiero had a successful gig with Americas Funniest Home Videos and other hosting gigs after playing Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I’ve seen references of a show on the UPN that Jaleel was on but not sure if that lasted more than a couple of episodes. 😢 Hopefully his royalty checks or a 9-5 somewhere keeps him afloat.

[@NellieKAdaba]

True.

[@alexandradillard2077]

You make good points. I don’t think Jaleel is suffering financially, but especially since he is selling purple urkel.

[@beaniegee5129]

Gotta love these stories so much

[@tomasjephersin84]

I Enjoy Him On These Daytime Gameshows Like Pictionary & 25 Words Or Less. I'm Glad Ppl Are Giving Jaleel His Props

[@beaniegee5129]

Grown Ups with Jaleel White was so underrated

[@Angie2343]

I LOVE that show. Sonic Underground as well.

[@beaniegee5129]

Excellent story on Jaleel White

[@househead67]

It was always interesting how the youngest Winslow went upstairs and never walked back down.

[@pa.encema2821]

Same thing happened in Happy Days

[@househead67]

@@pa.encema2821 who cares about that lame show?

[@pa.encema2821]

@@househead67 lame show that lasted longer than FM

[@damnmuggle]

@@househead67 chill

[@JennaLeigh]

​@@househead67it's still in heavy syndication, decades later. You don't have to like it, but it's a cornerstone of classic television.

[@TheNewgreatlife]

Jaleel is still so handsome to be near 50! I always wanted to see him in another successful long-running sitcom as a completely normal guy. I've just always had this gut feeling that he had so much more to offer acting-wise beyond the Steve Urkel character. His other characters on Family Matters (especially Stephan) proved this. It would've been cool to see him full-time as a normal young guy on a mainstream level, but unfortunately that never happened. All of those other acting gigs from the early 2000s onward never took off as this video states. I wish this video had mentioned his 2020 voiceover on Scooby-Doo and Guess Who. It was so cool to see him reprise Urkel again, although in cartoon form, and I really enjoyed that episode.

[@lexkanyima2195]

He should be a billionaire by this point as Sonic

[@ItsMeShaniceG]

I've tried Purple Urkle and it's....*chef's kiss* 😚🤌🏾

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I don't know what it is, but he gives me very arrogant vibes.

[@Enirutas]

Same!

[@laurenreneebrittany1797]

Same! I never looked at him as someone you could easily approach.

[@MelanieNevaeh227]

I was saying this a while back!!!

[@lexkanyima2195]

Jaleel is humble

[@Latoya87]

And he shouldn’t with them big ass eyes

[@CamazonPrime]

When Steve was on tv:🙄 When Stefan was on tv: 😍

[@danavixen6274]

Ooh yes! Especially when Stefan wooed Laura Winslow with For the Cool in You by Babyface! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@CamazonPrime]

@@danavixen6274 girl yea how I wished I was Laura 😭😂

[@NellieKAdaba]

I love both Steve and Stefan.

[@beaniegee5129]

Family Matters definitely deserved a proper ending it ended on a cliffhanger

[@pa.encema2821]

cancelation at its finest

[@tweetingsparks]

I'm still waiting.

[@cakiode95]

That was very disappointing, 9 beautiful seasons just to end with more questions!!! 😢

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@cakiode95it is conclusion

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White was also in the movie Our Friend Martin

[@stingrey1571]

It can’t be understated how big urkel got. The only other comparison is the fonz on happy days. Both were side character who didn’t take over their respective shows but took over pop culture.

[@TQO81]

Umm wrong Urkel became the main character on Family Matters.

[@stingrey1571]

@@TQO81 and so did the fonz.

[@TQO81]

@@stingrey1571 Didn’t you say that they DIDN’T take over the shows they on either they did or they didn’t pick one please!

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White also appeared in the movie Camp Cucamonga with Jennifer Aniston, Candace Cameron Bure, Tasha Scott, just to name a few

[@NellieKAdaba]

Nice

[@JennaLeigh]

Yes! I remember when that premiered on TV! I was so excited for it, had popcorn ready.

[@dfxtiv_ent]

I actually had that doll!!! 🤣🤣😂😂. Was my favourite toy at the time.... dunno where it disappeared to though 🤔🤔

[@adamjayson2007]

R.i.p Michelle Thomas ❤️

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White AKA Steve Urkel would later appear on crossover episodes on Full House and Step by Step

[@NellieKAdaba]

Great shows.

[@angelgregory9445]

Steve Urkel was such a popular character that me and my cousins used to call Family Matters the Steve Urkel show.

[@angelnyambio5704]

Jaleel's character Steve Urkel was definitely one of those nerdy iconic characters that you would, of course, most of a time cringe at out of being weirded out or annoyed but at the same time absolutely love(Minkus, Screech, Danny Tanner, Carlton, etc..), and I really liked his character. Honestly, I definitely feel sorry for Jaleel for hating that the typecast of being Urkel, but at the same time, I feel worse for the cast since their show got fully overshadowed by Steve as the mid-seasons(S4-S8) mostly focused on him rather than the family, which sucks. I love that the show introduces us to Stefan because he was my main favorite recurring character(next to of course Maxine, Myra, and Waldo) on the show, and I was very happy that we got to see more of him(Stefan), though it sucks a lot of people still saw him as Steve Urkel even when he played Stefan. In my opinion, I definitely prefer Stefan, at least the nicely improved version(S5-S7) even though Steve is better(both character-wise and of course memorable-wise), and plus, I believe that character was definitely a blessing in disguise as he(Stefan) was a fresh breath air(for both Jaleel and for me). I feel like Jaleel should have gotten more roles to play in movies or in other shows outside of Family Matters during his run as Steve Urkel because it would've broken the typecast cycle, and not to mention, he could've taken a break. It's very, very sad that his own show got canceled after the very end of Family Matters due to people still being super used to him being Steve. Jaleel is a great actor, and I think he had a lot of potentials to be the best actor like his peers(Will Smith, Ben Savage, Neil Patrick Harris, etc) if he had gotten opportunities to play characters outside of his Steve Urkle role during his time on the show. Honestly, if he had received those opportunities while taking a break from "Family Matters", I think that his show "Grown Ups" would not be canceled. Either way, Jaleel is a really great actor, and I'm always going to love Steve Urkel even if he does annoy me sometimes!

[@mutechannel13]

I like his movie Who Ate The Potato Salad and he did play Steve one more time with Snoop Dogg when he was promoting his Purple Urkel cannabis brand.

[@starlastarn13]

Who *made the potato salad absolutely hilarious 😂

[@RiZzYbLaNcO]

I was shocked to see Jaleel recently make a return as Urkel to promote his weed wit Snoop Dogg lol I was hype

[@starlastarn13]

He did a really really funny movie called who made the potato salad it is hilarious 😂 😂 seriously look it up and watch it. You won't be disappointed

[@shawntaythetvshowwomenthec9515]

Can you please do a video about little Romeo

[@shawntaythetvshowwomenthec9515]

Can you do a video about Josh Peck from Drake & Josh

[@preposteroussvideos]

absolute King👑🔥

[@Profess84]

Great Video. Family Matters was a big part of my Childhood as well as a lot of others sitcoms in that era. I will admit the show went downhill for me when the Waldo character was no longer on the show, I wish Paramount would've reached out to Jaleel to star the Sonic Movies.

[@SteveBornholtz]

Me, Myself, & I is my favorite show that he was in as a main character.

[@kingbrahma5005]

He don’t get the credit for the being the original voice of Sonic back in the day either

[@chancest.thomas5160]

0:14 Awwww 4:30 Awwww 5:14 My Baby 6:39 Bomb movie wit a Message

[@Clint_tha_great]

That first baby picture 😂😂😂.. another thing is him saying put a bullet in his head if he did urkel again when he turn around and played him in a skit with snoop dogg promoting his strand on weed

[@Alex_v_Mizu]

8:29 I love Julio's season of dancing with the stars, I heard from every corner of the Internet I thought you were dead. Remind me of his old Web series.

[@gamerincorporated154]

People love to say "it was taken out of context" when they received backlash from something they said. But it was that role that stated your career after several failed attempts. Now you have a podcast talking to other children actors and have a cannabis product "Purple Urkel". You can't use the character when it's convenient for you but shit on it at the same time.

[@leelee185]

BINGO

[@beaniegee5129]

Kristoff St. John would later appear on Family Matters on the episode Throw Steve from the Train

[@darrylcarter3691]

Jaleel White also did the voice of Sonic The Hedgehog.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

🏆

[@foreverseethe]

Reminds me of that 3 6 Mafia song 'Stay Fly', bridge/refrain that goes "smokin' that purple.purple.purple. urkel.urkel.urkel"😅.

[@cleftheart1969]

Being typed cast can be damaging but you will be remembered instead of forgotten IJS 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@pa.encema2821]

still sucks thou

[@emanaeemanae4002]

Those baby pictures! So cute he look like a chunky baby girl in the first love it lol

[@beaniegee5129]

I also like the other character he played was OGD Original Gangsta Dawg

[@beaniegee5129]

Jaleel White appeared on the Full House episode Stephanie Gets Framed with Tasha Scott

[@abellewis3062]

He will forever be Steve Urkel to everybody. Enough said.

[@NellieKAdaba]

Exactly.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

Hmmm I'm thinking he's the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. ☺️

[@abellewis3062]

@@moniqueloomis9772 That too.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

@@abellewis3062 Yay! 😁

[@abellewis3062]

@@moniqueloomis9772 Enough said.

[@shawntaythetvshowwomenthec9515]

Can you make a video about Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

[@NellieKAdaba]

Yes please

[@leelee185]

that would be cute

[@bobthebarber777]

Purple Urkel... 😂

[@darrylcarter3691]

Do one about Bob Barker

[@longbeachcalifornia847]

Family matters classic television show. The nerdy guy was so funny he stole the show.😂 rest in peace Michelle Thomas 🙏🏾

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

Steve Urkel made this show very relevant. Jaleel White still looking handsome.

[@goodvibestv707]

He still looked the same

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

He sure does look the same.

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

Jaleel White always be so perfect of playing nerd Steve urkel and any of his characters. I hope he getting more flowers. 💐 💐💐

[@stevewilson5749]

Glad he was able to shed that Steve Urkel image. Its hard for me now to watch the repeats!🤔😲

[@ZOEYLOVE17mon]

You tube NEED TO STOP IT! THE UNSUBSCRIBED ME.( NO WORRIES) IT JUST WENT AND TAP,TAP, TAPED THAT CUFFING BELL 🔔 AGAIN! WE, THE FAMILY, AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE 😔😭 HAHA

[@JuicyPopEntertainment]

KZbin is a trip 🙄 Thanks for subscribing again.

[@stevewilson5749]

ABC'sTGIF( Thank God it's Friday) and NBC's "Must See TV"....now don't we miss the 90's...'🤔😲💯

[@msjfab1966]

Can you see what happened to Bernard Wright he made " Who Do You Love " 1985

[@cdubz265]

I would like to see him in more prominent and serious acting roles, now I only see him being a contestant on these afternoon game shows.

[@taureanmay1411]

Jaleel White of Family Matters 😭😢 fame.

[@taureanmay1411]

He is.

[@Hains22]

The Show: Family Matters. Black People: Steve Urkel 😂😂🤌🏾

[@MrBeautiful2908]

His name is similar to mine. Cool

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

Can you talk about Jamie Foxx?

[@Angie2343]

The REAL voice of Sonic the Hedgehog!

[@Lynn17]

Hearing that Jaleel and Michelle were such good friends makes me happy, considering how the show chose to end Steve and Myra's relationship by demonizing Myra.

[@alexandradillard2077]

He never really changed even since he was a baby.

[@TheLovesnowangel]

And let’s not forget to mention speaking broken English or using colloquialism does not make you sound black. That’s stereotypical and it’s sad that a lot of black people think that. It’s enough that racist nonblack people think that’s how we all sound so we don’t need to share the same sentiments towards each other. Also not all whyte people sound “proper” so to say you sound whyte when you talk with class is helping whyte people feel superior (as if they need help with that.)

[@moniqueloomis9772]

I have been saying this FOR DECADES! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@20brookskj]

Grown Ups was actually a good show

[@Peacebewithu34]

Stefan still look fine🥰😁

[@sherrymickey8101]

His face been grown..

[@redbluebae4397]

What a db

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

He made people watch family matters plain and simple and they were jealous

[@VioletaVarga-lu2ez]

🫂🫂🫂💝💝💝🤗🤗🤗👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😅😅😅🤗🤗🤗😔👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🫂🫂💝💝

[@princemastaking]

To me Jaleel White needs to talk to Tyler Perry. Point blank period. Cause he would've had him in movies and TV shows. Now with Tyler Perry, he'll make that Urkel character go away real quick. IMO

[@eclyectkjackson8883]

This boi look the same his whole life😂

[@eggie1978]

I didn't know he had a kid, but why am I not surprised his baby mama is White?

[@Dii552]

I agree!

[@TheRetroWoman80]

Right. I have a relative who has only dated white women all of his life. He's been married to one for 15+ years now. Maybe it's through years of observing him closely, I don't know, but I can often tell which type of black dudes are only attracted to white women.

[@moniqueloomis9772]

Not surprising, but disappointing.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Why ?

[@donnawilliams4922]

Jaleel White's character of Steve Urkel was hilarious. I liked seeing him on other shows too. The only thing that bothers me is that it seems that he got role of Steve Urkel at the expense of Jamie Foxworth as "Judy Winslow". After the network dropped Jamie Foxworth from Family Matters, for years her life offscreen had fallen apart. Thankfully, God saw her through those rough times in her life. She said that she was thirteen years old when she was replaced by Jaleel White. I've wondered why they couldn't keep Jamie on as Judy Winslow. But, from my understanding they wanted a love interest for Laura Winslow. Ironically, for the first few years, Laura couldn't stand Steve Urkel.

[@lexkanyima2195]

Jamie's mom was the cause

[@EFunkRock]

Jaleel needs to worry less about his perceptions about Cosby and more about his domestic violence history. He’ll always be Urkel. Can’t change that.

[@ericgaskins571]

His weed is the bomb. Purple urkel. Strong but not too strong.

[@elijahramsingh]

Didn't had an issue watching that at the time but now, girl, Steve was a little pervy due to how he was constantly sexually harassing Laura all these years and once Myra ends up in the picture she would be labelled a sl*t and don't get me started with those drunks at a bar that tried to hit on Laura and looked like they was gonna assault her and then shamed and Urkel Jackie Changed them all and when Eddie was getting harassed by Myrtle all the time she would be looked as a filthy w***e but yikes that always creeped me out nowadays when thinking of shows I watched back in the day and the behind the scenes controversy was heavy and dirty!!!!! SMH!!!!

[@andyorwig]

The main issue is that Family Matters became the Urkell show because the rest of the show was just mediocre at best.

[@blackscorpio1129]

He had a baby with a white woman so it was all true lol

[@lexkanyima2195]

What ?

[@3_Mjr]

Urkel just gives me narcissist vibes. You can just see it in his face lol

[@justiceriser8970]

Well real humans are not tv humans a arrogant person can play a kind person

[@steveallen554]

Bottom line, Smokey Robinson

[@tangoblue]

This guy is such a cliché.

[@ryananderson5202]

WARNING. WOKE CONTENT CREATOR.