Growing Up Urkel

by Jaleel White

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

From booking a commercial as a preschooler to overwhelming fame and fortune to living in his own shadow, this is Jaleel White like you've never seen him before.

An incisive and insightful memoir by one of the most beloved icons of nineties television Jaleel White, the actor who portrayed Steve Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters.

DOES IT BOTHER YOU WHEN PEOPLE STILL CALL YOU URKEL?

“This is a question I get all the time and it’s an interesting one—because the question lands differently from different people. Over the years, I’ve trained myself to hear their tone when saying the name or asking the question. If it’s an older grandmother who hasn’t seen me in a while she’ll say, ‘Oh baby, it’s Urkel!’ with genuine enthusiasm, and I’ll greet her with love and give her a hug.

At this point in my life, I firmly understand that this journey was never just about me. It’s been about finding my calling and figuring out the best ways to use it to bring joy to others. I see my story as a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and reinvention.”

In his memoir, Growing Up Urkel, Jaleel White takes you on a memorable journey through the peaks, valleys, and plateaus of fame and fortune. Join Jaleel as he invites you to relive the unforgettable ride of nineties nostalgia, while uncovering the personal growth behind the iconic suspenders and the lasting impact of his journey as one of America’s favorite sitcom stars.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781668068892
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	11/19/2024
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	16,674
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Jaleel White is an actor, host, and producer best known for his iconic roles as Steve Urkel and Stefan Urquelle on the long-running sitcom Family Matters.

Editorial Reviews

09/30/2024

Actor White discusses the “double-edged sword” of his breakout role on the 1990s sitcom Family Matters in this intriguing if tight-lipped debut. The focus is squarely on White’s career: he booked his first commercial at four years old (for Toys R Us), then stepped back from auditioning in middle school. His parents, however, encouraged him to continue acting, hoping the money could help pay for college. That nudge led White to audition for a single-episode guest spot as nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel on Family Matters when he was 12 years old. He got the part, and the crew liked his performance so much that he became a series regular. White balances boilerplate behind-the-scenes reminiscences with frank, sometimes funny discussions of the role’s repercussions, including the trouble he continues to have being recognized for other performances (including in Big Fat Liar and Fake It Til You Make It) and the discomfort he feels that Urkel has become a “punching bag” for critics discussing Black representation on TV (“Friends doesn’t speak for all white people. But no one ever thinks should or did. not examined with the same lens”). What’s missing, save for a few humorous anecdotes about dating in his 20s and a brief ode to his daughter, is insight into White’s personal life. While plenty charming, this doesn’t offer much that fans don’t already know. Agent: Kristen Neuhaus, Ultra Literary. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Comedically gifted, crazy acting chops, wonderfully dressed, weirdly handsome, beyond perfect posture, and a crossover that’s guaranteed to put your ass in the blender. What? Oh, I thought this blurb was about me. That’s okay, Jaleel is pretty awesome too.” –ADAM SANDLER

From the Publisher

★ 10/25/2024

The character of Steve Urkel from the ABC sitcom Family Matters is synonymous with 1990s television, and actor White's embodiment of the nerdy kid with catchphrases like "Did I do that?" has had a lasting influence ever since he began playing the role at the age of 12. In this memoir, White tells his story with a charming and witty flair for words. He shares many funny, personal stories of growing up as a regular kid on a popular TV show. He remembers selling candy out of his backpack at school before getting cast on Family Matters. White was far luckier and fared better than some of his '90s contemporaries thanks to his parents, and this makes his memoir a potent antidote to recent memoirs like Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died. Still, White is clear-eyed about his challenges in Hollywood while remaining true to himself. White also delves into his career and struggles to be taken seriously as an actor after Family Matters ended in 1998. This memoir will convince readers that there's much more to White than Urkel's glasses and suspenders. VERDICT A candid and surprisingly touching memoir from the actor who created one of television's most memorable characters.—Claire Sewell

Library Journal