Jaleel White, best known for portraying iconic 90s character Steve Urkel, thrilled 90s Con attendees. In recalling his moment in the limelight, he was upbeat and wistful. Family Matters, the sitcom that launched White into stardom, aired from 1989 to 1998 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Steve Urkel went from a one-episode guest appearance to series regular. He soon became one of television’s most familiar figures, starring in more than 200 episodes.
Family Matters aired on ABC during the 1990s, becoming a staple of American television. It told the story of the Winslow family, with Jaleel White’s character, Steve Urkel, bringing humor and heart to the show. White not only played Urkel but voiced a number of other characters, including most of the Urkel clan. That charisma and versatility allowed him to shine in every role and created a lasting impact of an unstoppable ‘90s TV powerhouse.
Another reason for Urkel’s widespread appeal was his catchphrase, “Did I do that?” which became an iconic catchphrase among television fans. The show’s writers tried out 500 catchphrases before striking gold with this iconic quote. Urkel’s clumsy character was constantly getting into wacky shenanigans, usually crashing into items while shouting, “Did I do that?” These quiet emotional moments helped shape his character’s charm and appeal.
Through his touching anecdotes at 90s Con, White shed light on his own dark childhood. Those formative experiences on Family Matters are helping to develop the man he is today. He mused on the surprising emotional attachments viewers form to the show and its characters.
Never in a million years did I think people would still be so musically attached to the ‘90s,” he said in an interview.
As he shared, he understood what a special bond he has with his audience. The truth of it is, you’re my childhood too, but in a different way,” he explained. It was a real goosebump moment, and that sentiment carried through the room with everyone who had watched him growing up.
During his tenure on the show, White emphasized the importance of audience reactions. “You just kind of toss them out to the audience,” he said. At that time, the focus was more about getting that instant reaction shot of the audience. This good-natured banter inspired his scenes and character and went a long way towards making Steve Urkel a household name.
Balancing acting and academics was no easy task for White either, as the 12-year-old was doing schoolwork on set while filming. In spite of these pressures, he succeeded in both fronts. His profound dedication to creating opportunities and perpetuating education paved the way for young actors walking down that same road to stardom today.
Even as he enjoys the fruits of that legacy, Jaleel White is still pretty tasty, most popular snack from the 90s. Even now his influence as Steve Urkel continues, helping to show just how long a television character can impact popular culture.