Jaleel White Reflects on Jonathan Brandis’ Tragic
Abigail shares an emotional revelation from Jaleel White, best known as Steve Urkel from Family Matters. In his new book, Growing Up Urkel, White opens up about the profound impact Jonathan Brandis’ death had on him.
White recalls the night he learned of Brandis’ tragic passing at 27. He was working late when the news broke, just months after their pilot, 111 Gramercy Park, was rejected by networks.
“I stared at my computer screen, tears rolling down my face,” White wrote. “I could only speculate what Jonathan was going through. Just like me, he had dedicated his entire life to achieving what Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire seemed to accomplish with ease.”
Highlights from Jaleel White’s Reflection,
- A Shared Struggle: White compared their careers, acknowledging the unique pressures of growing up in Hollywood. While White found some solace in being labeled a character actor, Brandis sought leading-man roles to define his legacy.
- Emotional Breakdown: White’s mother found him in tears that night, and the two shared a moment of grief. He admitted to her, “I can’t do this anymore, Mom. I want out. This business kills people from the inside.”
- Fond Memories: White and Brandis first crossed paths in the 1980s on the TV pilot Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which later evolved into Saved by the Bell—without them. Despite not being close friends, their paths intertwined multiple times throughout their careers.
Jonathan Brandis’ Career,
Brandis started in TV commercials as a young child and became a household name with roles in seaQuest DSV, Ladybugs, and Sidekicks. White reflected on Brandis’ enthusiasm during the filming of 111 Gramercy Park, where Brandis hoped the project would mark his transition to leading-man status.
White believes the rejection of the pilot hit Brandis hard. “I’ve never known an actor to ask me so often about pickup prospects,” he recalled. “It seemed Jonathan needed that pilot to feed his soul.”
Through his heartbreak, White also acknowledged his own challenges as an actor, forever typecast as Steve Urkel. Despite the industry’s limitations, White has found peace in embracing his character roles while reflecting on the struggles of peers like Brandis.
Abigail highlights how Jaleel White’s story sheds light on the darker side of Hollywood—an industry that can elevate some while deeply affecting others.
