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Writing a memoir provided Jaleel White with an opportunity to not only document the ups and downs he experienced as a child star — but to highlight how far he had come after years of life in the public eye.
“It was incredibly therapeutic,” White, 47, exclusively told Us Weekly about working on Growing Up Urkel, which is released on Tuesday, November 19. “What started as a memoir about my childhood has actually evolved into a book about humility—and how humility is not the same thing as mindfulness.
Having grown up in the spotlight, White now reflects on how that experience affected him.
“Show business in general is not really a safe place for young people. Ironically, show business places a lot of importance on staying young, but you can’t let that affect you. Everyone has to grow up,” he explained. “Everyone has to mature. Even my cover, there’s a lot to unpack as to why this cover is that cover. “It’s a sign of many things.”
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The cover of Growing Up Urkel pays tribute to White’s character in Family Matters. “I’m wearing [Steve] He pointed out Urkel’s shoes on the back cover, if you noticed. “But this lean status means something in black culture — that these contents have to be fire. So I hope I can live up to that.”
Simon & Schuster
White is best known for turning his one-episode appearance on Family Matters into a lead role with his performance as Steve Urkel (and later Stefan Urquelle). After becoming the most popular character on the show, Wyatt used this success to pave the way for more opportunities – both in front of and behind the camera. He was the first American actor to voice Sonic the Hedgehog. He has written several television episodes and maintained a consistent presence in the entertainment industry for four decades.
“When I finished Family Matters as an enthusiastic, wide-eyed 21-year-old, I was very happy to move on to a career in television writing. I just knew this was what was next for me. But I was sidetracked by family pressures to be In college, “Every part of me just wanted to get back into the comedy writers’ room,” White tells us of passages in his memoir discussing his screenwriting attempts — and the successes, “but I didn’t understand that there would be so many obstacles in my way.”
White found that his time as an actor did not immediately translate to the world of screenwriting, adding, “Because of the way I grew up involved in filming this show, I didn’t really understand this clear division between showrunners, writers, and performers.” hiring. I was actually more inspired by the writers who were working on our show.
After being credited on several scripts — including Family Matters — White returned to the craft with his memoirs.
“I would love to keep writing, but I also respect the craft so much that I’m in this period now where I just want to get people’s feedback on it,” he shared about the lessons he’s learned from writing non-fiction. “As a writer, you get a first draft and most people who write hate their first draft. I hated mine and I just need to take the pressure off that. And then in about two weeks there was some editing. And then I was like, ‘Okay, wait, this might not be that bad.’
White set out to share his story – and show how things have changed in the industry since his rise to stardom, as he told us: “I never wanted to be a victim, first and foremost. Because I don’t feel like a victim. If anything, I feel like A product of 1990s values, these values have changed dramatically since then.
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Growing Up Urkel is a comprehensive look into the highs and lows of working in the entertainment industry. It’s also a candid look at Wyatt’s life off-screen, marked by star-studded friendships, surprising setbacks in his career and countless moments of self-reflection.
“There were a lot of things that didn’t work. The editing process is real. “I could have written a book completely separate from me and my parents. When you’ve been in a show for a long time and you don’t come from an old show business family, there was a lot of growth that happened with my mom and dad and their own lives. I tried to capture at least the essence and spirit of that.
Now that Growing Up Urkel is nearly finished, White can reflect on the challenges that came with trying to capture everything in just one book.
“There are a lot of delivery requirements. It’s as complex a process as converting film. It really is. When I finally got the cover for the first time, I sat there and held it. Some parts were different or better than I imagined,” he recalls. “Any kind of project — not just Book – It takes a team to make something great. So my thanks to Simon & Schuster for honoring my story to the extent that they did.”
White hopes his memoirs will provide answers to the “many questions” others may ask, adding: “But [I also wanted to] Prove that I learned lessons from all the things that happened. Reflections [about my life] It happened over time. I was writing little stories [over the years] And store it away. It really took Simon & Schuster’s attention and timing because you can’t rush these things. You just feel it when it’s there.”
CBS Media Projects
The release of Growing Up Urkel is a huge achievement but White didn’t stop there. He continues to look forward and think about what comes next for him.
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“I definitely want to write more. I always hold the possibility of being called upon to write more for scripted TV shows. I’m not holding my breath but I’m anticipating that opportunity. I want to do it all,” he admitted. But at the same time, the media has changed now. I hope Just to continue to be part of entertainment that catches the attention of large groups of people and really hits them I want to provide laughter and joy and excitement.
“If I have the opportunity to be a part of conveying that, I want to keep you in the story,” White concluded. I work hard at my craft to make sure I won’t be that person who takes you out of the story.
Growing Up Urkel hits bookshelves on Tuesday, November 19.
