There are very few characters in ’90s television that have the fame and infamy of Steve Urkel. From 1989 to 1998, Jaleel White portrayed the bespectacled, annoying nerd on Family Matters. His presence changed the show drastically. It was supposed to be about a working class family in Chicago, making their way through life. What it turned into was a series of misadventures that occasionally dove into science-fiction, fantasy. All of this thanks to Urkel, his inventions, and and his screen presence. Once the show ended, what became of Jaleel White?
Life as Urkel
The role of Urkel was something of an albatross around White’s neck. The character was so iconic for all the wrong reasons. It was physically demanding in that it forced White to maintain a certain physique. He had to be a scrawny nerd. He had to keep the high pitched voice. The creation of alternate personas like Stefan Urquelle allowed White to be closer to himself and showcase his acting range. Still, it wasn’t enough to make him anything but Urkel in the public zeitgeist.
One thing he did have going for him outside of Urkel was the voicing of Sonic the Hedgehog in the ’90s across three different shows. White voiced Sonic in, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (aka “Sonic SatAM”), and Sonic Underground. These voice roles were distanced from his presence as Urkel. Outside of that, we didn’t see a lot happening for Jaleel after Family Matters wrapped. He had the shortlived show, Grown Ups on UPN in 1999 but that was it for a few years outside voice roles.
Life After Urkel
In the mid 2000s, White started appearing in some smaller films and guest spots on television shows. You likely haven’t heard of most of the movies. Who Made the Potatoe Salad? And Green Flash aren’t exactly household names in film. Some of the television shows were definitely more popular. The Game, Boston Legal, Psych, and House were just some that he popped up in. That’s also been his bread and butter for the most part. Whether in animated programs like DuckTales and Teen Titans Go! Or live action like The Eric Andre Show and Fresh Off the Boat, Jaleel will pop up.
He has returned to the role of Urkel twice in voice roles. Once in Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? and more recently in 2023’s Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie. Jaleel White is a talented actor who honestly deserves better than to remembered as just Steve Urkel. But even if that is the only thing he’s really thought of for, that part was an impressive display of talent. The physical bits of acting, the transformations, the comedic timing; none of that is easy. It would still be great to see him land more dramatic parts though or even voice Sonic again. Most recently he’s done voice work for Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. So, at least he’s still out there and lending his talents to projects across film and television. Good on you, Jaleel!
