Family Matters, which aired from 1989 to 1998, was a spinoff of the Perfect Strangers that followed a middle-class Black family living in Chicago.
The hit sitcom starred Reginald VelJohnson, Jo Marie Payton, Darius McCrary, Kellie Williams, Jaimee Foxworth, Bryton McClure and Michelle Thomas. White joined Family Matters halfway through the first season as the Winslows’ nerdy neighbour Steve Urkel. The role was only meant to last one episode but Steve became a breakout character that paved the way for White to join the main cast.
Family Matters became the second-longest-running live action sitcom with a predominantly Black cast behind The Jeffersons. The success caused the cast to rise to stardom but the experience wasn’t without its obstacles. In his book, out Tuesday, November 19, White offered a candid glimpse into his experience as a child star on the set of Family Matters. Despite pulling back the curtain on the highs — and lows — of playing Steve, White didn’t want the entire memoir to be about the drama.