Jaleel White Addresses Co-Stars’ Comments on ‘Family Matters’ Set Behavior

Jaleel White, widely recognized for his portrayal of the beloved character Steve Urkel on the 1990s sitcom «Family Matters,» has responded to claims of difficult behavior on set made by his former co-stars. The actor spoke candidly about the matter during an appearance on SiriusXM‘s show, hosted by Andy Cohen, as he promoted his new memoir, «Growing Up Urkel.»

During the interview, Cohen inquired about comments made by Joe Marie Payton and Reginald VelJohnson, White’s co-stars, regarding his behavior during the filming of the series, which ran from 1989 to 1998. White remarked, «They’re also over 70, and I’ve been told not to argue with my elders from the time I was 12 years old.»

White, reflecting on his time on the show beginning at age 13, disclosed he would often carry a basketball to the set, which he frequently dribbled, potentially causing annoyance among other cast and crew members. «If that is the extent to which I was called ‘difficult,’ then okay. I digress,» he added.

Joe Marie Payton, who played Harriette Baines Winslow, expressed in 2022 that White, now 47, «would run wild and do whatever he wanted to do, thinking he can say what he wants to say, you know, and hurt people’s feelings.» However, in comments made in 2023, Payton highlighted her fondness for White, stating, «I’ll always love him. He was always a child to me.»

Reginald VelJohnson, who portrayed Carl Winslow, acknowledged the challenges of working with White, noting, «He was a wonderful kid, [but] I think working with him was a challenge,» yet he had «nothing but good memories.»

Aside from addressing past set dynamics, White touched upon the topic of a potential reboot of «Family Matters.» He emphasized his disinterest in proposals that appeared as «just a cash grab,» stating, «If I touch anything that’s associated with Family Matters, I want to advance the legacy and I want to help the kids’ careers.»

White’s memoir, «Growing Up Urkel,» released on November 19, provides insights into his life as a young actor on the popular show, including a directive from executives to alter Urkel’s trademark wardrobe. The book aims to deepen public understanding of White’s experiences beyond the small screen success he found on «Family Matters,» which was nominated for an Emmy and won several NAACP Image Awards during its decade-long run.