Its something even his TV family didnt know.
when its revealed that White wasthis closeto playing the youngest Huxtable child, Rudy.
In 1984, I auditioned forThe Cosby Show.
Everett Collection (2)
And that was a very emotional audition, White recalls atEWs recent reunion with him and his costars.
[Then-NBC president] Brandon Tartikoff was in the room.
And Mr. Cosby, obviously.
And then, all of a sudden, this little girl walks in.
… That was a complete lie just to get me to come back, White continues.
They were flying everybody out the next day to New York to begin rehearsals to do the show.
Are you going to New York with Jaleel to shoot the show?
White wasnt one of the kids they pointed to.
Thats harsh, Payton mutters.
I went home, and I just …
I cried my eyes out.
But I did things that a kid does when theyre hurt, and theyre acting out.
My mom had to grab me and shake me.
She was probably more rattled that I was reacting this way, White admits about the heartbreaking experience.
But all wasnt lost.
I continued to work, going to school constantly.
I worked my entire youth.
