''It's bound to create some feelings of insecurity," Bickley admits. ''Fortunately for us, when it happened on Happy Days it happened to the nicest man in show business, Ron Howard. So it wasn't a problem.''

As for Jaleel, the focus of all this attention, it turns out he isn't like Steve Urkel at all. He doesn't whine, he doesn't trip over things, and the big glasses belong to his dad, a dentist. ''They're to keep particles from flying into his eyes,'' Jaleel explains.

Kids already have started recognizing Jaleel on the street, including one at an amusement park a few weeks ago who stopped him, said, ''I can do you,'' and proceeded to slam himself into posts and fences.

''I'd love for Urkel to take off,'' Jaleel says. ''I'd like for those glasses to end up in the Hard Rock Cafe or something, just like Fonzie's jacket.''

Originally posted May 04, 1990 Published in issue #12 May 04, 1990 Order article reprints
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