White revealed that speaking in that pitch for extended periods during his adolescence caused damage. He explained that the constant use of the same pitch, especially during puberty, led to vocal strain. Despite the challenges, White noted that his voice is now "in remission" and he's fine. He recounted a period in his teenage years when he struggled with voice clarity, receiving feedback from networks about his speech, which was a worrying time for him.
At the time, White didn’t use a voice coach to protect his voice while developing Urkel’s tone. He now has both vocal coaching and medical support to manage his voice. Despite the difficulties, White said he wouldn't change anything about his experience. He considers it a small sacrifice for the significant legacy of his character.
White played Steve Urkel throughout the nine-season run of "Family Matters," from 1989 to 1998. Despite being a central character, White previously revealed that he initially faced resistance from the cast. He was surprised by how his role evolved from a one-off guest spot to a central part of the show, turning into a cultural phenomenon.