Family Matters execs told Jaleel White to wear looser jeans on show as Steve Urkel’s ‘bulge’ was too much for TV

FAMILY Matters star Jaleel White was once told to change his beloved character Steve Urkel’s signature uniform of suspenders and tight jeans – because his nether regions were becoming too much for TV.

Jaleel- who starred as fan-favorite nerd Steve from 1989 to 1998 on the family-friendly sitcom- recounted the exchange with network executives in his memoir, Growing Up Urkel, out November 19.

Jaleel White visited SiriusXM Studios on September 10, 2024, years after his child star days

6

Jaleel White visited SiriusXM Studios on September 10, 2024, years after his child star daysCredit: Getty
Jaleel starred as Steve Urkel for nine years on sitcom Family Matters

6

Jaleel starred as Steve Urkel for nine years on sitcom Family MattersCredit: Getty
Jaleel played the child-like Steve until he was 21 years old

6

Jaleel played the child-like Steve until he was 21 years oldCredit: Getty

After the show’s eighth season, Jaleel, now 47, was over 20 years old and felt he was growing out of the character – but the network execs were desperate to keep the show going, he wrote.

The higher-ups did, however, agree to make some minor superficial changes to Steve’s geeky look, Jaleel claimed.

“Let’s get rid of the suspenders. Lower his pants, too,” Jaleel claimed the exes said.

“Oh and…It’s getting a bit uncomfortable watching him in tight jeans. There’s a, uh…bulge.”

Jaleel said by the time he entered college, he was “peeling” himself out of the skintight pants “like a banana.”

HIGH AND LOW

It also became increasingly difficult for him to recite lines in Steve’s signature high-pitched voice.

In fact, Jaleel said speaking like Steve was “physically painful,” now that his voice was naturally much lower as a grown man.

He felt so much strain, he said he nearly left the show that made him a star.

However, he ended up staying on the series until it was canceled in 1998.

Family Matters’ Jaleel White says he was never invited to the Emmys and was told to not ‘submit myself for nomination’

FAMILY CONFLICT

Jaleel not only clashed with the execs, he had conflict with his co-stars as well.

He once claimed his nationwide fame was too much for his older costars to handle.

“I didn’t see how I was stepping on anybody’s toes, I was taking anybody’s shine,” he told TVOne’s Uncensored in 2021.

“It’s very important that I say this: I was not very well welcomed to the cast at all, okay?

“And I don’t need to rehash that with the adults over and over again. They know what it is.”

He even claimed Reginald VelJohnson and Jo Marie Peyton even made him break down in tears during a table read.

After some time out of the spotlight, Jaleel is now the host of game show Flip Side.

He married tech executive Nicoletta Ruhl in May 2024 in a lavish LA ceremony, and is a dad to 15-year-old daughter Samaya.

Jaleel appeared as Steve on set in 1993

6

Jaleel appeared as Steve on set in 1993Credit: Disney General Entertainment Con
Jaleel with co-stars Kellie Shanygne Williams and Reginald Veljohnson in 1994

6

Jaleel with co-stars Kellie Shanygne Williams and Reginald Veljohnson in 1994Credit: Disney General Entertainment Con
Jaleel smiled at Giorgio Baldi restaurant on March 29, 2024 in LA

6

Jaleel smiled at Giorgio Baldi restaurant on March 29, 2024 in LACredit: GC Images
You May Also Like

Do You Remember The Time Farrah Abraham Threatened to Sue Harvard?

Thanks, I Hate It Farrah Abraham is currently complaining about a plastic…

Taron Egerton confirms relationship with stunning actress Chloe Bennet as they snog in the street

ROCKETMAN actor Taron Egerton has been spotted getting rather close to his…

Taylor Swift Eras tour breaks another record as staggering sum in ticket sales is revealed days before her birthday

WE always knew Taylor Swift’s Eras tour was breaking records, but even…

Beyoncé and Jay-Z adorably hype up daughter Blue Ivy, 12, as she poses solo at ‘Mufasa’ premiere

Beyoncé and Jay-Z were proud parents to daughter Blue Ivy Carter while…