Who could forget Steve Urkel and his infatuation with girl next door, Laura Winslow on ABC’s hit comedy Family Matters. The world watched as the awkward adolescent declared his love week after week for his longtime ladylove. Unfortunately for Urkel, Laura couldn’t get past the clumsiness, the shortness of his pants and his fondness for cheese to consider him anything but an annoying neighbor and friend.
As the seasons went by Laura’s ridged indifference toward her socially challenged suitor began to thaw and he became her best guy friend. But it wasn’t until Stephan Urquelle, Steve’s alter ego emerged that sparks began to fly between the two teens. Stephan was way cooler, more handsome and by far the sharpest dresser compared to Steve. His bravado had Laura smitten at first glance. Unable to maintain his transformation Steve Urkel dwarfed back in to himself and slowly crept back into Laura’s life; however this time things were different. His approach was less annoying and overtly eager to please. Finally, the girl of his dreams began to develop an appreciation for Steve and eventually fell for him acting and behaving like himself. Yes, in the end America’s favorite nerd got the girl. When Family Matters was finally cancelled in 1998 it left the air with fans knowing that their favorite TV sweethearts had at last gotten together.
As the seasons went by Laura’s ridged indifference toward her socially challenged suitor began to thaw and he became her best guy friend. But it wasn’t until Stephan Urquelle, Steve’s alter ego emerged that sparks began to fly between the two teens. Stephan was way cooler, more handsome and by far the sharpest dresser compared to Steve. His bravado had Laura smitten at first glance. Unable to maintain his transformation Steve Urkel dwarfed back in to himself and slowly crept back into Laura’s life; however this time things were different. His approach was less annoying and overtly eager to please. Finally, the girl of his dreams began to develop an appreciation for Steve and eventually fell for him acting and behaving like himself. Yes, in the end America’s favorite nerd got the girl. When Family Matters was finally cancelled in 1998 it left the air with fans knowing that their favorite TV sweethearts had at last gotten together.
It’s been nearly two decades since the show last aired and the beloved characters Steve and Laura, played by actors Kellie Shanygne Williams and Jaleel White, have graced our TV screens. Ever wonder what the actors who brought those characters to life are doing now? Well wonder no more, I have the latest right here for you.
Kellie Shanygne Williams
Kelli Williams portrayed Laura Winslow for 9 seasons on ABC’s Family Matters, a show that aired from September 22, 1989 to July 17, 1998. After the shows cancellation Kellie went on to appear in a few television roles such as What About Joan (2000), Girlfriends (2002), The Parkers (2003) and Eve (2006).
In 1998, she starred in the comedy Ride (1998) alongside Malik Yoba (New York Undercover) and Fredro Starr (Moesha). Her character Tuesday, was one of many wild and crazy artists and musicians traveling from New York to Miami on a dilapidated bus for a video shoot. Her next role was in a made for TV movie, After All (1999) with Holly Robinson Peete as her co-star. She worked with R&B singer/actor Usher in the crime-comedy film In the Mix (2005). She graced the silver screen again in 2009 this time alongside her former co-star and television brother Darius McCrary in Steppin: The Movie. Her last movie appearance was in Aide-de-Camp, a romantic film released in 2011.
Perhaps Williams greatest accomplishment since her days on Family Matters would be her two beautiful children with her husband Hannibal Jackson. The couple met through a mutual close friend and eventually were married on September 5, 2009. Their daughter Hannah was born in 2010 and their son John in 2012. These days most of her time is spent back and forth between Los Angeles and Maryland where her family resides.
In addition, to being a mother and wife, Kellie Williams-Jackson is quite devoted to her charitable works in her hometown of Washington, D.C. In 2006, she started the Kellie Williams Program, which affords students the opportunity to produce programs similar to the one that inspired her career in acting (Howard University Children’s Theatre) to be aired on Comcast cable Local On-Demand. Her intentions were to bring exposure to the arts for children who otherwise wouldn’t have the experience. Her wonderful work in the D.C area has garnered her many awards. It would appear that Family does matter to Kellie Shangyne Williams because that is where the majority of her time is spent these days and we can’t fault her for that at all.
Kelli Williams portrayed Laura Winslow for 9 seasons on ABC’s Family Matters, a show that aired from September 22, 1989 to July 17, 1998. After the shows cancellation Kellie went on to appear in a few television roles such as What About Joan (2000), Girlfriends (2002), The Parkers (2003) and Eve (2006).
In 1998, she starred in the comedy Ride (1998) alongside Malik Yoba (New York Undercover) and Fredro Starr (Moesha). Her character Tuesday, was one of many wild and crazy artists and musicians traveling from New York to Miami on a dilapidated bus for a video shoot. Her next role was in a made for TV movie, After All (1999) with Holly Robinson Peete as her co-star. She worked with R&B singer/actor Usher in the crime-comedy film In the Mix (2005). She graced the silver screen again in 2009 this time alongside her former co-star and television brother Darius McCrary in Steppin: The Movie. Her last movie appearance was in Aide-de-Camp, a romantic film released in 2011.
Perhaps Williams greatest accomplishment since her days on Family Matters would be her two beautiful children with her husband Hannibal Jackson. The couple met through a mutual close friend and eventually were married on September 5, 2009. Their daughter Hannah was born in 2010 and their son John in 2012. These days most of her time is spent back and forth between Los Angeles and Maryland where her family resides.
In addition, to being a mother and wife, Kellie Williams-Jackson is quite devoted to her charitable works in her hometown of Washington, D.C. In 2006, she started the Kellie Williams Program, which affords students the opportunity to produce programs similar to the one that inspired her career in acting (Howard University Children’s Theatre) to be aired on Comcast cable Local On-Demand. Her intentions were to bring exposure to the arts for children who otherwise wouldn’t have the experience. Her wonderful work in the D.C area has garnered her many awards. It would appear that Family does matter to Kellie Shangyne Williams because that is where the majority of her time is spent these days and we can’t fault her for that at all.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kellie Williams…
Kellie Williams is a Washington, D.C native.
She is also the eldest of three siblings, a sister Marti and a brother Donte.
She attended UCLA in June 2000 to study Psychology.
Despite playing the younger Winslow on Family Matters, Kelli Williams was actually older than her on screen brother Eddie played by Darius McCary.
A devout Christian, Williams didn’t have a boyfriend till she was 28 years old.
Williams didn’t speak as a toddler, so her parents enrolled in her in a theater program to help her get over her shyness.
Williams and her husband, Hannibal Jackson met through a mutual friend who insisted that they meet one another.
Jackson proposed to Kellie Williams after only 10 months of dating.
Williams and her co-star Jaleel White where actually very good friends on the set and ate lunch together everyday.
Williams replaced Niecy Nash as host on Clean House for 6 episodes in 2006.
Kellie Williams is a Washington, D.C native.
She is also the eldest of three siblings, a sister Marti and a brother Donte.
She attended UCLA in June 2000 to study Psychology.
Despite playing the younger Winslow on Family Matters, Kelli Williams was actually older than her on screen brother Eddie played by Darius McCary.
A devout Christian, Williams didn’t have a boyfriend till she was 28 years old.
Williams didn’t speak as a toddler, so her parents enrolled in her in a theater program to help her get over her shyness.
Williams and her husband, Hannibal Jackson met through a mutual friend who insisted that they meet one another.
Jackson proposed to Kellie Williams after only 10 months of dating.
Williams and her co-star Jaleel White where actually very good friends on the set and ate lunch together everyday.
Williams replaced Niecy Nash as host on Clean House for 6 episodes in 2006.
Jaleel White
After Family Matters Jaleel White attended UCLA where he received a degree in Film and Television in 2001. After graduation he quickly resumed his acting career although his role as Steve Urkel somewhat type casted him in Hollywood. He briefly starred in Grown Ups (1999), a TV show that he wrote episodes for and co-produced. However it was short lived and he began making guest appearances on television shows like Half & Half (2005), The Game (2007), NCIS (2012) and recently Hawaii 5.0 in 2015. He was also a contestant on the popular Dancing with the Stars reality show in 2012 where him and his partner Kym Johnson made it through numerous rounds together.
White also made appearances in several movies such as The Big Fat Liar in 2002 and Dreamgirls in 2006. As a screenwriter he’s also created and produced a couple of webseries like Fake it Till You Make It (2010), which he also stars in.
For a brief stint he was hosting the Sci Fi Channels Total Blackout (2012). Currently he has three projects in the works that are due out later this year.
It looks as though the actor has finally shredded the gangly and awkward persona of his iconic character, Steve Urkel. Jaleel White is now making moves that he hopes far removes him from his famous alter ego however; fans all over will forever look at him as that pesky neighbor with a huge unshakeable crush.
After Family Matters Jaleel White attended UCLA where he received a degree in Film and Television in 2001. After graduation he quickly resumed his acting career although his role as Steve Urkel somewhat type casted him in Hollywood. He briefly starred in Grown Ups (1999), a TV show that he wrote episodes for and co-produced. However it was short lived and he began making guest appearances on television shows like Half & Half (2005), The Game (2007), NCIS (2012) and recently Hawaii 5.0 in 2015. He was also a contestant on the popular Dancing with the Stars reality show in 2012 where him and his partner Kym Johnson made it through numerous rounds together.
White also made appearances in several movies such as The Big Fat Liar in 2002 and Dreamgirls in 2006. As a screenwriter he’s also created and produced a couple of webseries like Fake it Till You Make It (2010), which he also stars in.
For a brief stint he was hosting the Sci Fi Channels Total Blackout (2012). Currently he has three projects in the works that are due out later this year.
It looks as though the actor has finally shredded the gangly and awkward persona of his iconic character, Steve Urkel. Jaleel White is now making moves that he hopes far removes him from his famous alter ego however; fans all over will forever look at him as that pesky neighbor with a huge unshakeable crush.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Jaleel White…
Jaleel White was initially offered the role of Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, who was originally supposed to be a boy, but at the last minute producers decided to go with Keisha Knight Pulliam.
White began his acting career at just 3 years old.
White’s first acting role was in a Jell-O Pudding pop commercial alongside Bill Cosby.
The oversized glasses that White wore when he portrayed Steve Urkel actually belonged to his father who is a dentist.
White was cast as Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight’s youngest child on the show Charlie and Company in 1985.
When Jaleel White was 19 they allowed him to write an episode of Family Matters. It was the highest rated episode of the season.
Jaleel White has a 7 year old daughter, Samaya (b.2009) from a previous relationship.
For his portrayal of Steve Urkel, White received 3 NAACP Image Awards.
White’s parents initially got him into acting at the suggestion of his preschool teacher.
Jaleel White's parents only saw acting as a means to pay for college in the future and not a career.
Jaleel White was among the original cast of the show Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which later was renamed Save By The Bell.
I hope you enjoyed this trip down television memory lane.
By Lisa Mack~
Jaleel White was initially offered the role of Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, who was originally supposed to be a boy, but at the last minute producers decided to go with Keisha Knight Pulliam.
White began his acting career at just 3 years old.
White’s first acting role was in a Jell-O Pudding pop commercial alongside Bill Cosby.
The oversized glasses that White wore when he portrayed Steve Urkel actually belonged to his father who is a dentist.
White was cast as Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight’s youngest child on the show Charlie and Company in 1985.
When Jaleel White was 19 they allowed him to write an episode of Family Matters. It was the highest rated episode of the season.
Jaleel White has a 7 year old daughter, Samaya (b.2009) from a previous relationship.
For his portrayal of Steve Urkel, White received 3 NAACP Image Awards.
White’s parents initially got him into acting at the suggestion of his preschool teacher.
Jaleel White's parents only saw acting as a means to pay for college in the future and not a career.
Jaleel White was among the original cast of the show Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which later was renamed Save By The Bell.
I hope you enjoyed this trip down television memory lane.
By Lisa Mack~
