Steve of ‘Family Matters’ Didn’t Miss His Role on Show Where He Was ‘Not Very Well Welcomed’ — Cast Speaks about Him

• The former "Family Matters" cast spoke fondly about Jaleel White during a reunion at an event.
• In the past, White claimed some of his "Family Matters" co-stars didn't treat him well.
• The actor now has a child but had clashes with her mother.

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 colleague, with Payton saying, "Hate is not a part of anything 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 know 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.

Though his role on "Family Matters" made him recognizable 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 elaborated 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 celebrity said he didn't want to go into details by dragging the past back again because "they" knew what they were. White shared how when he first appeared as Myrtle, VelJohnson and Payton "were very sensitive to putting Black men in dresses."

The star recalled 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.

Michael felt his son's co-stars were wrong for making him, a child, feel horrible for playing the role of a girl for fun. White also said his other former co-stars, Williams, Jaimee Foxworth, and Darius McCrary, also had issues with him on set, mainly due to what they heard from the adults.

However, the star explained that he no longer had problems with Payton and VelJohnson. He also noted how they fostered a better environment in seasons 3, 4, and 5, and that's when they became more of a family.

When the allegations came back, the star said he had co-parented peacefully with Samaya's mother for two years.

On the other hand, Williams and McCrary became more like his siblings. White has continued acting, started a podcast, and is a single father to his daughter.

What Is Jaleel's Life like Now?

In October 2020, White launched the "Ever After" podcast on the Audio Up podcast series, where he interviewed other former child stars like Melissa Joan Hart, Raven-Symoné, and Seth Green. The show only ran briefly; the last episode was dated August 25, 2021.

An important milestone in the actor's life was when he welcomed his look-a-like baby girl, Samaya. Since his daughter came into his life, he has been lovingly sharing images of her on his Instagram, showing their activities together.

In January 2020, during a "One on One with Keyshia Cole" interview, the celebrity opened up about his bond with Samaya, revealing that he took her to a Nerf Competition.

However, things haven't always been smooth with his single parenthood. In 2012, his daughter's mother and ex-girlfriend, Bridget Hardy, claimed that he had physically and verbally abused her two years before.

At the time, White noted how the allegations resurfaced to coincide with his "Dancing With the Stars" appearance and his then-new Syfy show. He blamed Hardy for bad timing throughout their custody battles in trying to put him down when he was doing well.

When the allegations came back, the star said he had co-parented peacefully with Samaya's mother for two years. The former couple's relationship concluded in 2010, with Hardy pulling the plug when their daughter was 11 months old.

As for White's career, in recent years, he's had steady work appearing in "North of The 10," "The Greatest Inheritance," "Hustle," "Dumbbells Special Edition," and "Did I Do That to The Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story," all in 2022.

In 2023, he was featured in episodes of "The Ms. Pat Show," "American Dad!" and "The Afterparty." He's also had some roles in series like "Fresh Off The Boat," "Boomerang," and "Teen Titans Go!"