Jaleel White wasn't supposed to have a lasting role on 'Family Matters,' but his Urkel character took off. He looks back on the role that changed his career in 'Growing Up Urkel.'

The Family Matters legend speaks to VF about the hard lessons, difficult relationships—with figures from Les Moonves to Bill Cosby—and silver linings of being a young icon.

White was 12 when the show began, but 21 when it ended. Between the ages of 12 and 21, people do some serious changing. Jaleel White, the actor who played Steve Urkel on Family Matters, was no different.