In his newly released memoir, Growing Up Urkel, Jaleel White delves into the complex and strained relationship he shares with fellow entertainer Will Smith. The Family Matters star reflects on their early connection, professional missteps, and the lingering impact of their fallout.
A Promising Start and Missed Opportunities for Jaleel White
White recalls crossing paths with Smith during the height of their respective careers in the 1990s. “What’s weird is when you cross paths in our business, you never quite know how much or how little a moment meant to each other,” White shared, describing how their early interactions seemed promising.
A pivotal moment came when White pitched a TV show to Smith after the latter signed a production deal with Universal. Although White was eager to collaborate, the project ultimately fell through. “I should have called Will directly, and the truth was, I wanted to work with Will, badly,” White admitted in his memoir. Compounding the situation was the sudden departure of Smith’s head of TV, which disrupted communication.
“Will was becoming such a big star, so fast, that I didn’t have the nerve to call his phone myself months later,” White reflected. He added, “My agent said there was no deal to be made. They’re offering me this show at UPN, and I know in my heart this premise is weaker than ours.”
Admiration Despite the Rift
Though their professional collaboration never materialized, White expressed deep respect for Smith’s career trajectory. “I just always want Will to know — and I’m not sure he ever did — how much I admired his forging ahead,” he revealed. White recounted how, even as a young actor, he recognized Smith’s undeniable energy and potential. “I saw it coming before the rest of America got a chance to see it coming.”
Despite their falling out, White emphasized that external factors, rather than personal animosity, drove the wedge between them. “When I got the opportunity to nearly work with him, I now go back and look at the number of people that conspired to make sure that we did not speak directly any further,” he explained.
Reflecting on the unresolved tension, White concluded, “It sucks for me. But as long as I got it out and I got to express it, that’s once again in one of those areas where the book just becomes therapeutic.”