Random Things You Didn't Know About Family Matters (25 items)

(#19) Jaleel White Was Almost A Huxtable
Before becoming Steve Urkel, Jaleel White was up for the role of Rudy on The Cosby Show. Yes, Rudy was originally intended to be a little boy, but ultimately the role was changed and went to Keshia Knight Pulliam. So you can thank (or blame) Bill Cosby for Steve Urkel.
(#6) Steve Urkel Was Based On A Real Guy
When co-creator Michael Warren needed an appropriately goofy name for a nerd character, he was inspired by his friend Steve Erkel. When Urkel became a pop culture sensation, Erkel was in for years of prank phone calls.
(#13) Harriette And Carl First Appeared On Perfect Strangers
Family Matters was, in fact, a spin-off of the popular sitcom Perfect Strangers. Jo Marie Payton played Harriette Winslow on both series. Family Matters ended up lasting a full season longer than Perfect Strangers, on which Harriette was an elevator operator.
(#2) Urkel's Popularity Caused Tension On The Set
As Urkel became more of a sensation and the focus of the show shifted, the rest of the cast wasn't too pleased. “Things were definitely strained in the early going,” Jaleel White explained to Vanity Fair. “There’s no sense in hiding that. There was a division between myself and the rest of the cast, but over nine years and 215 episodes, obviously relationships get better. I still talk to certain cast members to this day.”
(#14) Judy Was Originally Played By A Different Actress
Jaimee Foxworth played the youngest Winslow kid, Judy, until she completely disappeared from the series, but she actually wasn't the first Judy. In the pilot episode, the role was played by Valerie Jones, who went on to appear in a few episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
(#17) Michelle Thomas Left Due To Illness
Michelle Thomas played Myra Monkhouse for several seasons of Family Matters. Her battle with stomach cancer caused her to exit the show shortly before it was cancelled. Tragically, she passed away within a year.