I got a generic email from the Marketing Director saying, based on my previous reviews of celebrity memoirs from Simon & Schuster, I can get this one from Netgalley. I knew of Jaleel White, Urkel and his passion for basketball, but never paid attention to the show Family Matters.
Unlike other child actors, Jaleel never got in trouble and when he turned 18, he had money available. He told a lot of stories of celebrity encounters and celebrities he was trying to get to work with him on other projects.
It was pretty cool that he wrote two episodes of Family Matters, and both had very high ratings.
I had no clue that he was on DWTS, and during that time, he had a 2-year old daughter.
Even though I finished it, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I mean, if you are a fan of Family Matters, then this is a must read. But for me, it was more, hey, I am a child actor and my parents primary goal of me working was so I can afford to go to college. I was on a TV show for 9 years, and then I struggled to get work as Jaleel (most people wanted Urkel).
Just two warnings before you read…
One of his mentors when he was younger was Bill Cosby. They had a falling out over Fat Albert and their relationship ended, and several years later, Cosby got into trouble.
Jaleel had an idea for a television show and R Kelly was thought of to be a part of it. It didn’t work out, and several years later, R Kelly got into trouble.
