Family Matters’ Jaleel White Just Admitted He Was Asked To Hide His “Bump” To Make Things TGIF Appropriate

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Jaleel White is best known for playing the role of Steve Urkel as part of Family Matters cast. His lovable and nerdy character was a real standout due to his squeaky voice, unique gait and hike-up pants with suspenders. But the former child star admits in his memoir that a serious change had to be made as he got older. He was apparently told to hide his “bump” to keep things TGIF appropriate.

After Matthew Perry “sugarcoat” nothing about his time on Friends or Magnum, PI icon Tom Selleck Discusses His ‘Accidental Career’ in reminiscence, Jaleel White follows suit. Via his forthcoming book, Growing up Urkelhe reveals the ups and downs of fame after his time Family Matters. When White was still in his 20s during the sitcom’s nine-season run, he revealed in his book (via The sun) how TV executives told him he had to change his signature costume of hike-up jeans and suspenders because his nether regions were starting to show. As he wrote:

Let’s get rid of braces. Lower his pants too. Oh and… It gets a bit uncomfortable to see him in tight jeans. There’s a, uh… dent.

Growing pains (not the show) can appear in any space, including the entertainment industry. In the end, one could argue that ridding Steve Urkel of braces was a great way to show the character growing up and expanding his style choices. It was especially present throughout the final season of the show, which featured a subplot about Steve trying to find a new signature look.

The Sonic the Hedgehog The voice actor also said he felt “like a banana” when he “peeled” himself out of Steve Urkel’s skin-tight jeans. Considering what a wholesome show Family Matters was, it’s understandable that TV executives had to make style changes in order for the character to maintain his image while adapting to the physical changes of the actor portraying him.

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In addition to the physical challenges associated with his role, Jaleel White went through during his long run family matters, he also had to face some emotional hurdles. Early on, he had to gel with his teammates, as he put it he didn’t feel “welcome” at first to the cast, as he was initially just supposed to be a guest star in the series. The Jo Marie Payton event talked about one intense interaction she had with White while filming an episode, and fellow series alum Reginald VelJohnson claimed it California natives were “difficult” to work with.

All of this aside from Jaleel White being asked to hide his “bump” growing up speaks to some of the unique challenges young actors face as they transition from childhood to adulthood while on a long-running television show. Despite having to deal with such situations, White is still an example of one child star with so much personality at a young ageand it’s no wonder that his stellar acting and impressive switch to the role of Steve Urkel enticed audiences to watch the sitcom throughout its run.

You can stream Family Matters using a Max subscription (and don’t expect to see any “bulge”). Also check out Jaleel White’s Growing up Urkelwhich frames Amazon and bookstores on November 19.