The Story Behind The Real-Life Steve Urkel | HuffPost

The Story Behind The Real-Life Steve Urkel

By

Contributor

There is actually a real-life unfortunate soul named Steve Urkel out there, according to Jaleel White, who made the name famous in his memorable role on "Family Matters." Twenty-plus years later, White still feels a little bad for the resulting cultural significance behind the name.

"The actual name Steve Urkel, is actually a friend of Michael Warren, one of our producers. So he can't order pizza," White said with a laugh on HuffPost Live on Tuesday. "I don't think he's had a decent phone order of anything in the last 20 years."

White actually met the man, and he reiterated that he is not exaggerating the misfortune of having that name.

"I'm dead serious," White told host Josh Zepps. "He came to the set one time. He was like, 'You've created a nightmare for me.' And I can only imagine with TSA. 'Hey, this guy over here! Look look look!'"

Watch the rest of the clip above, and catch the full HuffPost Live conversation here.

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

'Family Matters': Where Are They Now?

THEN: Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow)(01 of26)

VelJohnson didn't have many major TV or movie roles before "Family Matters," but he did make appearances as a jail guard in "Ghostbusters" (1984), a limo driver in "Crocodile Dundee" (1986) and a police officer alongside Tom Hanks in "Turner & Hooch" (1989). VelJohnson's biggest claim to fame was playing Sgt. Al Powell in the 1988 hit "Die Hard," a character he later reprised in the 1990 sequel. And all that police officer role playing was put to good use when the actor earned the role of easily-angered Chicago police officer Carl Winslow on "Perfect Strangers," which then, of course, led to "Family Matters" in 1989. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Reginald VelJohnson(02 of26)

After "Family Matters" came to an end, VelJohnson made one-episode guest appearances on a multitude of TV shows, including "Diagnosis: Murder," "The Hughleys" "CSI," "Will & Grace," "That's So Raven," "Ghost Whisperer," "Monk," "Bones" and "Chuck," in which he reprised his "Die Hard" role of Sgt. Al Powell. In 2004, he took the title role in the off-Broadway show "She all Dat!" (as she) and has done a lot of theater work. VelJohnson also wrote a critically-acclaimed series of short stories called "Division Street." Currently, he recurs on The CW's "Hart of Dixie" as Dash DeWitt, the head reporter of the local newspaper. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Jo Marie Payton (Harriette Winslow)(03 of26)

Throughout the '80s, Payton had bit parts in "The New Odd Couple," "Small Wonder," "227" and in the teen flick "Troop Beverly Hills." But the role that wound up defining her career was that of elevator operator Harriette Winslow on the ABC sitcom "Perfect Strangers" in 1987. Her character was so well-received that she was given her own sitcom and thus "Family Matters" was born in 1989. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Jo Marie Payton (04 of26)

Payton left "Family Matters" half-way through its final season and Judyann Elder won the role of Harriette in the series' remaining seven episodes. Payton later explained that she "felt stifled" on the show and was unable to do other projects. Her contract was up before "Family Matters'" final season, but CBS (where the show had moved) convinced her to return for half of the final season with the option to leave. After her departure, Payton went on to guest star on series like "Moesha, "7th Heaven," "Will & Grace," "Judging Amy," "Reba," "Desperate Housewives" and "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns." She also voiced Sugar Mama on the Disney hit "The Proud Family." Payton has been married multiple times, and has a daughter with first husband Marc France. She recently spoke about the legacy of "Family Matters" on "The Doctors." (Check out her interview here.) (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow)(05 of26)

McCrary began his career as a child actor, making his film debut at just 11 years old in the 1987 comedy "Big Shots." He had one-episode stints on a few TV sitcoms and a role in the 1988 film "Mississippi Burning" before he landed the role of eldest Winslow child Eddie on "Family Matters" the following year, even though he was actually slightly younger than Kellie Shanygne Williams. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Darius McCrary ( Eddie Winslow)(06 of26)

After the end of "Family Matters," McCrary co-starred in the short-lived UPN series "Freedom" and in 2001, he appeared in "15 Minutes" opposite Robert De Niro and "Kingdom Come" with Whoopi Goldberg. McCrary was the voice of Optimus Prime's Autobot partner Jazz in the 2007 movie "Transformers" and he also had a minor role in 2009's "Saw VI." From December 2009 to October 2011, McCrary portrayed photographer Malcolm Winters on the CBS daytime drama "The Young and the Restless," alongside his former "Family Matters" co-star Bryton McClure. In 2012, he joined FX's "Anger Management" as Donovan, a gay member of Charlie's (Charlie Sheen) prison anger therapy group. He has been divorced twice and in 2011, he was reportedly involved in a custody battle with an ex over his then-three-year-old son. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Winslow)(07 of26)

Young Williams only had two credits to her name before "Family Matters" -- an episode of MTV variety show "Oddville, MTV" and a part in the 1988 movie "Ride." Williams was just 13 years old when she won the role of middle Winslow child -- and the object of Steve Urkel's affection -- Laura. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Winslow)(08 of26)

Williams won a role on the short-lived ABC comedy "What About Joan?," which also starred Kyle Chandler and Joan Cusack, after "Family Matters" ended. In the years following, Williams made appearances on "Girlfriends," "The Parkers" and "Eve." In 2006, she created the Kellie Williams Program to provide students in the Washington D.C. area an opportunity to produce a television show for Comcast. In 2009, she married Hannibal Jackson, with whom she now has two children, a three-year-old daughter named Hannah Belle and a one-year-old son named John Ervin. She's largely stopped acting since. (credit:Facebook)

THEN: Jaimee Foxworth (Judy Winslow)(09 of26)

After she began her career as a child model at the age of five, Foxworth soon appeared in national TV ads and a few small-screen guest-starring roles, including one on "Amen," like her TV brother Darius McCrary. She was only 10 when she landed the role of Judy Winslow, the youngest of the family's three children. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Jaimee Foxworth (Judy Winslow)(10 of26)

At the end of "Family Matters'" fourth season, Judy walked upstairs to her room ... and was never seen again. Foxworth's character proved to have little purpose on the show and thus, she was written out. The young actress struggled to find work and she decided to form a short-lived musical group (named S.H.E.) with her two sisters. In later years, Foxworth battled substance abuse and depression, eventually ending up on "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." Foxworth later transitioned to pornographic films using the name Crave. Her last film was 2009's "The Jeffersons: A XXX Parody" before she welcomed a son, Michael Douglas Shaw Jr., with her longtime boyfriend. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Jaleel White (Steve Urkel)(11 of26)

Before taking on the role of Steve Urkel, Jaleel White had an extensive resume of Jell-O commercials and guest stints on shows like "The Jeffersons" and "Mr. Belvedere." On "Family Matters," Urkel became the breakout star, spawning tons of merchandise, catchphrases and lasting fame for White. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Jaleel White (Steve Urkel)(12 of26)

White went on to star in the short-lived "Grown Ups" sitcom. He also provided the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog in "Sonic Underground," appeared in "Dreamgirls," made guest appearances on "The Game" and "Boston Legal" and starred in the 2010 series "Fake It Til You Make It." In the following year, he starred in Cee Lo Green's "Cry Baby" music video. His impressive moves earned White a spot on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2012. Shortly thereafter, the actor, who has one daughter, became the host of "Total Blackout," a reality series on Syfy, (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Rosetta LeNoire (Estelle Winslow)(13 of26)

Rosetta LeNoire was known for her stage work before breaking into TV. She founded AMAS Repertory Theatre Company, a nonprofit theater group, in an effort to promote interracial casting. Before playing the sweet, but sassy grandmother on "Family Matters" -- who was simply referred to as "Mama Winslow" -- LeNoire appeared on "Gimme a Break!" (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

1999: Rosetta LeNoire(14 of26)

Following the end of "Family Matters," LeNoire appeared in an episode of "Cosby." In 1999, President Clinton lauded LeNoire's long fight against discrimination and presented her with the National Medal of the Arts (pictured). "Rosetta did more than dream of a theater with no color bar -- she actually built one," he said at the time. The actress passed away in 2002 from complications from diabetes at 90 years old. (credit:AP)

THEN: Telma Hopkins (Rachel Crawford)(15 of26)

Before taking on the role of Aunt Rachel, Harriette's sister, on "Family Matters," Telma Hopkins was a member the 1970s pop group Tony Orlando and Dawn. She had roles on "Bosom Buddies" and "Gimme a Break!" before winning the gig on "Family Matters." Hopkins was a series regular at the start of the show, but then became recurring in later seasons. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Telma Hopkins (Rachel Crawford)(16 of26)

Following "Family Matters," Hopkins did some voice work and had guest roles on "ER," "The Hughleys," and "Any Day Now." She starred in "Half and Half" from 2002 to 2006 and was last seen in the TBS series "Are We There Yet?" (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Bryton McClure (Richie Crawford)(17 of26)

"Family Matters" was Bryton McClure's first acting role. He played Rachel's son Richie from 1990 to 1997 and rocked a pretty impressive jheri curl mullet. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Bryton James(18 of26)

Now known as Bryton James, the actor went on to do voice work on shows such as "Young Justice," "The Kids from Room 402" and "Zevo-3." He played witch Luka Martin on The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" from 2010 to 2011 and has played Devon Hamilton on "The Young and the Restless" since 2004. The part has earned James a Daytime Emmy Award and a NAACP Image Award. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Cherie Johnson (Max Johnson)(19 of26)

Before she was known as Max, Johnson appeared in "Punky Brewster" (written by her uncle David W. Duclon) as the titular character's (Soleil Moon Frye) best friend ... who was also named Cherie Johnson. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Cherie Johnson(20 of26)

Johnson went on to work in film after "Family Matters," appearing in several movies in the past few years including "Raven" and the upcoming "Fannadict." She's also a producer and has has a shoe line (Cherie Bombs), a magazine (Dimez) and a line of hair oil products (Wild Cheri), she told CNN. Johnson is the author of "Peaches & Cream," and her upcoming book "Stupid Guy Diaries," in which she opens up about her life experiences, is due out this summer. Keep up with Johnson on Twitter here. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Shawn Harrison (Waldo Geraldo Faldo)(21 of26)

Harrison got his start in 1986, playing Mike in the Kidsongs video "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing." He had bit parts on "L.A. Law," "Hill Street Blues" and "Punky Brewster" with Cherie Johnson before he won the role of Waldo, Eddie Winslow's dim-witted best friend, on "Family Matters." (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Shawn Harrison(22 of26)

He may forever be known to the world as Waldo Geraldo Faldo, but Harrison later appeared on TV shows like "Moesha," "Girlfriends" and "Legion Of Superheroes." (credit:Handout)

THEN: Michelle Thomas (Myra Monkhouse)(23 of26)

Born in Boston, but raised in New Jersey, Michelle Thomas spent her teen years competing in pageants and went on to play Justine Phillips, Theo Huxtable's (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) girlfriend on "The Cosby Show" in 1988. The following year, Thomas landed the role of Myra Monkhouse on "Family Matters," playing the on-again-off-again object of Steve Urkel's affection from 1989 to 1998. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

1994: Michelle Thomas(24 of26)

After wrapping up her role on "Family Matters," Thomas played Callie Rogers on "The Young And The Restless" for three months before passing away from stomach cancer in December 1998 at the young age of 29. (credit:Getty Images)

THEN: Naya Rivera (Gwendolyn)(25 of26)

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Rivera began her modeling career as a baby. She started acting shortly thereafter, appearing on the short-lived sitcom "The Royal Family" (produced by Eddie Murphy) and she had a short stint on "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" before landing the role of Richie's admirer Gwendolyn on "Family Matters" in 1992. (credit:ABC / Getty Images)

NOW: Naya Rivera(26 of26)

After appearing on "Baywatch," Smart Guy," "The Bernie Mac Show," "8 Simple Rules" and "CSI," Rivera landed a major role on "Glee" as Santana Lopez, a cheerleader and member of the glee club. The character grew from a hilarious, bitchy Cheerio at the start of the series to a role model as her storyline developed into young woman's coming out story. (credit:Getty Images)

Suggest a correction

|

From Our Partner

HuffPost Shopping's
Best Finds

The Best Durable Shoes, According To Zookeepers Who Work In Mud All Day

The Most Comfortable Sandals For Walking All Day, According To Tour Guides Who Live In Them

This $4 Cat Toy Is 'Worth Its Weight In Gold' — And Behaviorists Say There's A Reason

This Seemingly Silly Luxury Is Actually Important For Your Pet's Health

9 Stylish Swim Trunks, According To The Best-Dressed Guys We Know