By michael vivar
The 1980s and 1990s was a boom time for television sitcoms depicting families that very rarely before had been portrayed on screen.
One of the most viewed was "Family Matters." It was billed as a working-class version of "The Cosby Show," though one factor led to its meteoric rise.
Former child star, Jaleel White was catapulted to fame for his breakout role as Steve Urkel on the ABC series over 30 years ago.
The show originally saw 12-year-old White appearing as a one-off guest. The eccentric youngster quickly stole the hearts and minds of the viewing public.
At the height of his popularity, White was raking in a salary of $180,000 per episode, accounting for millions of dollars per season.
Even if you've never seen an episode of the sitcom, you've surely seen Urkel satirized in modern pop culture such as in sketch comedy shows like "Key and Peele."
Since "Family Matters," White has appeared in television and film ventures such as "Psych," "House" and Donald Glover's "Atlanta."
Those looking for him in something more current should check out the Disney+ series, "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" in which he plays a cyborg space pirate.
As he returns to the small screen, fans have begun to wonder just how well White has saved his Hollywood salary and diversified his financial portfolio.
The star capitalized on a series of extracurricular ventures. One was the release of his own cannabis strain, known as Purple Urkle in 2021. He also has a line of THC edibles.
Thanks to his creative talents, long acting career and shrewd investing, Jaleel White's estimated net worth in 2024 is $8 million.