Jaleel White Reflects on Jonathan Brandis' Death

Jaleel White reflects on the profound emotional impact that the suicide of his former co-star Jonathan Brandis had on his life and career in his memoir, 'Growing Up Urkel.' Brandis, who died at 27, was particularly affected by their unpicked pilot for '111 Gramercy Park,' which he hoped would revive his career. White expressed his grief upon hearing the news, stating, "I stared at my computer screen, tears rolling down my face," and noted that both actors struggled against the industry's pressures to succeed like their peers, such as Leonardo DiCaprio. This tragedy prompted White to question his own place in the entertainment world, leading him to tell his mother, "I can't do this s--- anymore, Mom. I want out. This business kills people from the inside." Despite his success as Steve Urkel, White acknowledged the difficulty of breaking into new roles and the emotional toll of the industry. He described Brandis's death as feeling like the loss of "a fallen soldier," highlighting the harsh realities faced by actors within show business.