Jaleel White Reveals That Playing Steve Urkel on Family Matters Left His Voice Damaged for Years

https://people.com/jaleel-white-damaged-voice-playing-steve-urkel-family-matters-8711679

20 comments

  1. > Speaking at 90s Con 2024 in Daytona Beach, Fla,, on Sunday, Sept. 15 in a panel moderated by actress Kimberly J. Brown, White discussed his career at length, fielding several questions about his beloved Family Matters character, Steve Urkel. The character was known as much for his distinct personality and fashion choices as he was for his voice — although White, 47, admitted that speaking in that high, nasal tone actually “damaged my voice.”

    > “I spoke to a doctor,” he explained, “and what happened is during puberty I spoke at the same pitch for extended periods of time. If the pitch had been going all over the place I wouldn’t have damaged it quite as much.”

  3. He got paid. If he was worried about permanent damage, he should have quit. This falls into my Too bad, So sad category.

  4. Wonder if he has any back problems after falling into and destroying the Winslow’s coffee table 378 times?

  9. Lots of people damage their bodies at work, but most don’t become millionaires for it

  10. I always thought Urkel was cute under the costume, and that Laura was not cute AT ALL, so this gag really ruined the show for me. It was mean spirited and simply not funny.

  12. I’m not a doctor but this doesn’t seem right. I mean he wasn’t forced to talk like Urkel 24/7?

  14. Some people will literally write about anything and then some people will post those pointless articles here

  16. Trey Parker did the same doing Cartman’s voice on South Park.

  17. Left my ears damaged every time I had to watch that show.

  20. Probably from yelling at the cast for messing up

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