In a surprising twist of TV history, Jaleel White, the actor behind the iconic Family Matters character Steve Urkel, almost became a member of the Cosby Show family — specifically, the youngest Huxtable, Rudy. Long before Family Matters premiered in 1989, The Cosby Show had already captured the nation’s heart with its portrayal of the Huxtable family: Cliff (Bill Cosby), Clair (Phylicia Rashad), Sondra (Sabrina Le Beauf), Denise (Lisa Bonét), Theo (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), and Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam).
However, The Cosby Show almost had a male Rudy, and Jaleel White was nearly cast in the role. In an emotional reflection shared during a 2024 reunion with his Family Matters co-stars, White revealed the story of his audition for The Cosby Show in 1984. “In 1984, I auditioned for The Cosby Show. It was a very emotional audition,” White recalled. “NBC President Brandon Tartikoff and Bill Cosby were in the room, and they had all the kids audition over the course of five or six hours. My agent had told me I was essentially locked in for the role, so I went in thinking it was just a formality.”
But things took an unexpected turn when a young girl walked in to audition for the role of Rudy. White’s dream role was suddenly in jeopardy. “I understand now why they needed options for the network, but at the time, I was devastated,” White shared. “After six hours of auditions, they told us who they’d chosen. I was sent home, and I just cried. It was heartbreaking.”
White’s mother, who had been preparing for the move to New York, shook him out of his emotional reaction. “She said, ‘If you ever react like that again to an audition, you’re done acting.’” Despite the disappointment, White didn’t give up on his acting career. “The very next year, I got cast in Charlie & Co.—a Cosby Show clone with Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight. The show only lasted one season, but I kept going.”
A year later, White’s career took a turn with the role of Steve Urkel on Family Matters, a part that would define his career. White’s comedic genius and unforgettable portrayal of Urkel, with his suspenders and oversized glasses, became a pop culture phenomenon. Family Matters would go on to run for nine seasons, cementing White’s place in TV history.
Despite his early setback, White’s story highlights the unpredictability of show business. In an alternate reality, White could have been Rudy Huxtable, but instead, he became one of television’s most beloved nerds. As of 2024, fans can relive his nine-season run on Family Matters — as well as other classic ABC comedies from the TGIF lineup like Full House, Step by Step, and Home Improvement — all available to stream on Hulu.
