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Jaleel White opened up about his iconic Family Matters character, Steve Urkel , during a panel at 90s Con 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 15. Speaking with actress Kimberly J.
Brown, who moderated the discussion, White, now 47, revealed that portraying Urkel’s high-pitched, nasal voice actually caused damage to his own voice. "I spoke to a doctor, and during puberty, I maintained the same pitch for extended periods. If the pitch had varied, it wouldn’t have caused as much damage," White explained.
He shared that around the ages of 15 or 16, he started feeling the strain on his voice. "I would get network notes like, 'We can't hear him. Be more clear,' and it was kind of scary.
" Though his voice has since recovered, White admitted that he hadn’t worked with a voice coach during that time, which left him unprepared for the vocal challenges. Now, with the help of vocal coaching and medical advice, he's managed to regain control. Reflecting on the experience, White said, "I wouldn’t do anything differently.
It was a small sacrifice for one incredible legacy." White portrayed Urkel throughout Family Matters' nine-season run from 1989 to 1998. Despite becoming a fan-favorite, White revealed he wasn’t initially welcomed by the cast.
He told TV One’s Uncensored in 2021, "I didn’t think much of being cast for a guest spot, but I was as surprised as anyone by the phenomenon it became." At 90s Con 2023, cast members Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson and Kellie Shanygne Williams reunited and spoke fondly of their costar while acknowledging their past differences. "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," VelJohnson said.
"We love him ...
he’s a special person." "Hate is not a part of anything you do," Payton added. "I will always love him.
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