Growing Up Urkel

An incisive and insightful celebrity memoir by Jaleel White, one of the most beloved icons of nineties pop culture and TV history, renowned for his portrayal of Steven Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters.

At the tender age of twelve, Jaleel White auditioned for the role of Steve Urkel, the socially inept genius, who was in love with his next-door neighbor, Laura.

Though Steven Urkel was intended to be in only one episode, Jaleel’s indelible performance as a child actor catapulted Urkel into the pantheon of American pop culture. But success can cost as much as it pays. After nine years on the popular sitcom Family Matters, Jaleel is twenty-one, a UCLA undergrad, and adjusting to a world and industry that sees him as the nasally nerd in high water pants, suspenders, and coke bottle glasses.

In this wise and witty memoir, Growing Up Urkel takes you on a memorable journey through 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.

Jaleel White is an actor, producer, and screenwriter most known for his iconic role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters. White has also starred in Big Fat Liar, Sonic the Hedgehog, Grown Ups, and Scooby Doo. White’s top guest appearances include Boston Legal, Dreamgirls, House, and most recently starred in the Netflix’s Hustle, alongside Adam Sandler. In April of 2021, he launched a successful cannabis line called itsPurpl.