The 90s series Family Matters may have been about the Chicago-based Winslow family, but the shows breakout character was actually Winslow neighbor Steve Urkel. Played by Jaleel White, Urkel joined Family Matters at the end of its first season, which one of his castmates says was a production decision that changed everything.

Bryton James, now 30 years old, played the Winslows young family member Richie Crawford, and as he tells Oprah: Where Are They Now? , there might not have been a future for Family Matters if Urkel hadnt been added to the cast.

The first season actually wasnt looking too great and they had plans to cancel the show, James says. Towards the end, they casted a nerdy next-door neighbor named Urkel and saved the show.