Steve Urkel

Steven Urkel "Did I do that?" Gender: Male Type: Comical Nerd Age: 13 (season 1) 14 (season 2) 15 (season 3) 16 (season 4) 17 (season 5) 18 (season 6) 19 (season 7) 20 (season 8) 21 (season 9) Species: Human Portrayed by: Jaleel White Status: Alive Media of origin: Family Matters First appearance: The Mama Who Came to Dinner Last appearance: Lost in Space

Steven Quincy Urkel is a fictional character on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters who was portrayed by Jaleel White. Originally slated to have been a one-time-only character on the show, he soon broke out to be its most popular character and gradually became its main protagonist.

Due to the Urkel character's off-putting characteristics and the way he is written to stir up events and underscore the plot or even move it along, he is considered a nuisance by the original protagonist's family, the Winslows, though they come to accept him over time.

Why He Rocks

1. He is a silly, extravagant, over-the-top, smug and geeky character. Even though he can be depicted as "obnoxious and annoying", he's still lovable and entertaining nonetheless.
2. Steve and Laura both have amazing chemistry.
3. He always had catchphrases uttered after some humorous misfortune occurs, including.
   • "I don't have to take this. I'm going home."
   • "Whoa, Mama!"
   • "Look what you did!"
   • "Did I do that?"
4. In the season two episode "Life of the Party", he did a funny dance called "The Urkel Dance".
5. He does care for Laura's father Carl Winslow, despite being hated by him.
   • He saved Carl from possibly drowning on a weak iceberg.
   • Even after Carl raged at him for accidentally ruining his garage while he (Carl) was teaching him (Steve), once there was something wrong with him, Steve was willing to get help for him.
   • Probably his best, when Carl was unconscious from getting electrocuted by the lamp, Steve did CPR on him to make him conscious once again, preventing Carl from facing certain death.
6. Jaleel White does a great job portraying Steve, giving Steve plenty of life for a "nerd".

Bad Qualities

1. While indeed comedic, he eventually took over the show as its main protagonist, thus making him a creator's pet in a way. Especially given that he was originally supposed to be a one-time character.
2. Some people can find Steve's voice irritating, depending on their personal perspective.

Trivia

• He references the famous catchphrase of the LifeAlert commercial from the late 1980s and early 1990s, "I've fallen and I can't get up!".

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