Jaleel White Says ‘Family Matters’ Cast Did Not Welcome Him ‘At All’: ‘They Know What It Was’

Jaleel White says that he was “not welcomed” by the “Family Matters” cast “at all.”

Steve Urkel has become one of the most iconic sitcom characters of our time. White’s portrayal of Urkel and fans’ love for the character reportedly helped the show carry for nine seasons. But, White, 44, says when he first came on the show, the main cast was not too enthusiastic about him. 

“I was not welcomed to the cast at all. They know what it was,” White said in an upcoming interview on TVOne’s Uncensored. “I didn’t think anything of it, being cast to be on Family Matters, because it was supposed to be a guest spot, one and done.”

It wasn’t until the 12th episode of the first season that Urkel joined the cast, reportedly for what was supposed just to be a one-time guest appearance. But fans loved him so much that the show added him to the main cast. 

White also talks about his relationship with the late Michelle Thomas, who played Urkel’s girlfriend on the show, Myra Monkhouse, for several seasons. “Michelle Thomas became a very special person,” says White as he holds back strong emotions. “I literally can’t say her name without crying.”

White’s full “Uncensored” interview drops on TVOne this Sunday. 

Jaleel White quickly stole the show as everyone’s favorite nerd on the classic sitcom Family Matters. He turned what was meant to be one guest appearance into an iconic starring role. An all-new episode of UNCENSORED airs Sunday at 10/9C. pic.twitter.com/QAp7sy8zNc

— TV One (@tvonetv) May 3, 2021