Reginald VelJohnson Admits He 'Didn't Learn a Thing' fromFamily MattersCostar Jaleel White'sDWTSRun (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Reginald VelJohnson on ‘Family Matters’ in 1989.Photo:ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Thirty-five years ago, the world was introduced to the Winslow family and their one-of-a-kind neighbor Steve Urkel, and forFamily Mattersstar Reginald VelJohnson, the milestone is a mind-blowing one.

Speaking to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at an event celebrating the new cast ofDancing with the Stars,the 72-year-old actor admitted he’s “surprised at how long it lasted.”

“They said, ‘We’re going to do this show,’ and we did it,” he recalled of the ABC series, which ran for nine seasons and anchored the TGIF Friday night programming block. “I didn’t realize it was going to go that long.”

The Chicago-set show, a spinoff toPerfect Strangers,costarred Jo Marie Payton, Kellie Shanygne Williams and Darius McCrary, among others, plusJaleel White, who became a breakout star with his nerdy neighbor character, Steve Urkel, who endlessly annoyed VelJohnson’s Winslow family patriarch, Carl.

White appeared on season 14 ofDWTS,coming in 8th place alongside partnerKym Johnson. VelJohnson admitted he “didn’t learn a thing” from his costar’s run, however.

Though some members of theFamily Matterscast had public disagreements with White in past years, VelJohnson and Paytonboth spoke fondly of him at September 2023’s ’90s Con.

“He had a lot to deal with, because we were already established as a family but he had to get into the group and introduce himself,” VelJohnson said at the time. “We love him … he’s a special person.”

“He’s very, very charming,” she said. “It makes my job easy. I’m teaching him steps, we’re going slow and going over it, and he’ll put his charm and charisma in there and it’s really all you need. It’s really about that personality.”

Reginald VelJohnson on season 33 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Disney/Andrew Eccles

Disney/Andrew Eccles

VelJohnson echoed her sentiments, calling Slater “so warm.”

“Dancing with the Starsis a lot about trust,” she added. “You have to have trust in your celebrity partner, and the celebrity partner has to have trust in the pro partner. We established that straight away.”

“And I’m honestly a massive fan,” she continued. “I wanted him to know, you can lean on me, I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to make this experience very enjoyable for you.”

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The Cast of ‘Family Matters’.Walt Disney Television via Getty

As for whether or not the pair might toss in a nostalgic nod to VelJohnson’s iconicFamily Mattersrole (maybe a dance tothat catchy theme song?!), Slater teased, “You’ll have to wait and see!”

The full cast ofDancing with the Starsseason 33 was announcedon Wednesday, Sept. 4, onGood Morning America.Fellow competitors includeTori Spelling,Eric Robertsand BacheloretteJenn Tran.

source: people.com