Jaleel White and Steve Urkel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jessica · 11-01-2007, 07:42 AM

Hey.
I was on Urkelnet, a fansite for Family Matters yesterday and read some FAQ. And I found this:

Jaleel says he is interested in working behind the camera and wants to establish himself to the world that he is not Steve Urkel. He has even gone on to quote that he would rather "commit suicide" than to play another character like Urkel again.

So I have some questions here.
I hope Jaleel liked to play Steve Urkel.
He doesn't regret that he played the part, right????

Buffyboy323 · 11-02-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCJessica90

So I have some questions here.
I hope Jaleel liked to play Steve Urkel.
He doesn't regret that he played the part, right????

I'm sure he enjoyed playing Steve Urkel (He did it for 9 years!) . And of course he loved all the money, attention, and success he had when he was on Family Matters. So IMO, at the height of his popularity, he didn't regret playing the part. Now, almost 20 years later, I can see (and understand) why he might look back on the character of Steve Urkel with some regret. Jaleel might have done other projects after Family Matters, but let's face it: He will always be Steve Urkel. I'm sure he's experienced a lot of type casting. Moreso than many other hollywood faces. That role made him who he is, and who he will forever be seen as.

Jessica · 11-02-2007, 06:41 AM

That's a good explaination. Well, he must have liked the part if he played it for 9 years. So I think you're right. He should be proud.

Buffyboy323 · 11-02-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCJessica90

That's a good explaination. Well, he must have liked the part if he played it for 9 years. So I think you're right. He should be proud.

In many ways, playing Steve Urkel was the best thing for his career. And it's probably the worst thing to happen to his career as well.

Jessica · 11-02-2007, 02:43 PM

Yes, it made him famous, but he has been starring in a few movies. I know he got a small part in Mean Girls, and also Who Made The Potato Salad, plus he's the voice of Sonic

So he's career isn't very bad, even though he is mostly known as Steve.

fullhousefan91619 · 11-02-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCJessica90

That's a good explaination. Well, he must have liked the part if he played it for 9 years. So I think you're right. He should be proud.

8 and a half years!

Jessica · 11-02-2007, 05:54 PM

And he also was also gueset starring in Full House and something more I think.

fullhousefan91619 · 11-02-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCJessica90

And he also was also gueset starring in Full House and something more I think.

Step by Step!

Jessica · 11-03-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullhousefan91619

Step by Step!

Yeah, Step By Step, that's it. THanks.

Furienna · 11-03-2007, 09:48 PM

I've heard Jaleel White didn't want to do Steve anymore after Michelle Thomas (who played his girlfriend Myra on the show) died from cancer, when she was only 29 years old. Because doing the Steve Urkel part reminded him of her or something. But I don't think he regrets doing Steve Urkel, even though he'll always be remembered mostly for doing that character, and he'll never reach that kind of fame again.

Buffyboy323 · 11-04-2007, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furienna

I've heard Jaleel White didn't want to do Steve anymore after Michelle Thomas (who played his girlfriend Myra on the show) died from cancer, when she was only 29 years old. Because doing the Steve Urkel part reminded him of her or something. But I don't think he regrets doing Steve Urkel, even though he'll always be remembered mostly for doing that character, and he'll never reach that kind of fame again.

Family Matters ended in May 1998. Michelle passed away in December 1998...

Furienna · 11-04-2007, 09:11 AM

But her health was poor already during the last season of FM, even though she hid it well enough. But maybe her co-workers noticed she wasn't well and found out about her illness. And also, Jaleel might still have missed her after she passed away.

Jessica · 11-04-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furienna

But her health was poor already during the last season of FM, even though she hid it well enough. But maybe her co-workers noticed she wasn't well and found out about her illness. And also, Jaleel might still have missed her after she passed away.

Yes, it's sad that she died so young, so Jaleel might miss her. But I don't think he regret the part of Steve Urkel. It's hard for me to think that's the reason that he soes not wanna play nerd again.

11-01-2007, 07:42 AM	#1
Jessica Retro fan Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 9,034	Jaleel White and Steve Urkel Hey. I was on Urkelnet, a fansite for Family Matters yesterday and read some FAQ. And I found this: Jaleel says he is interested in working behind the camera and wants to establish himself to the world that he is not Steve Urkel. He has even gone on to quote that he would rather "commit suicide" than to play another character like Urkel again. So I have some questions here. I hope Jaleel liked to play Steve Urkel. He doesn't regret that he played the part, right????

11-02-2007, 06:41 AM	#3
Jessica Retro fan Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 9,034	That's a good explaination. Well, he must have liked the part if he played it for 9 years. So I think you're right. He should be proud.

11-02-2007, 02:43 PM	#5
Jessica Retro fan Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 9,034	Yes, it made him famous, but he has been starring in a few movies. I know he got a small part in Mean Girls, and also Who Made The Potato Salad, plus he's the voice of Sonic So he's career isn't very bad, even though he is mostly known as Steve.

11-02-2007, 05:54 PM	#7
Jessica Retro fan Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 9,034	And he also was also gueset starring in Full House and something more I think.

11-03-2007, 09:48 PM	#10
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	I've heard Jaleel White didn't want to do Steve anymore after Michelle Thomas (who played his girlfriend Myra on the show) died from cancer, when she was only 29 years old. Because doing the Steve Urkel part reminded him of her or something. But I don't think he regrets doing Steve Urkel, even though he'll always be remembered mostly for doing that character, and he'll never reach that kind of fame again.

11-04-2007, 09:11 AM	#12
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	But her health was poor already during the last season of FM, even though she hid it well enough. But maybe her co-workers noticed she wasn't well and found out about her illness. And also, Jaleel might still have missed her after she passed away.