# Jaleel White

Jaleel Ahmad White (born November 27, 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters (1989–1998) where he was originally intended to make one appearance. White eventually became the main protagonist of the show.
White was the first American actor to voice the Sega video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, doing so in the animated series Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (also known as Sonic SatAM) and Sonic Underground. After Family Matters ended, White starred in the short-lived UPN comedy series Grown Ups (1999–2000) and appeared in supporting roles in the film Dreamgirls (2006) and on television on Boston Legal, House, Castle, Psych and Bones.

## Early life

White was born in Culver City, California, the only child of Michael White, a dentist, and Gail White, who was a homemaker. His mother later became his manager. White attended John Marshall Fundamental High School in Pasadena, California, and South Pasadena High School, and later graduating from UCLA in 2001. On the advice of his preschool teacher, White began acting as a child. He got his start on TV commercials at age three. One of White's notable commercial appearances was for Jell-O pudding pops alongside Bill Cosby.

## Career

White's first television role was a guest stint on The Jeffersons, in 1984. He later auditioned for the role of Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show. According to White, he was cast in the role (the character was originally intended to be male) but was replaced by Keshia Knight Pulliam when Bill Cosby decided to mirror his television family after his real life family. The following year, he was cast as the son of Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight on the CBS sitcom Charlie and Company. The series was intended to be CBS' answer to the highly rated Cosby Show which debuted on NBC in 1984. Unlike The Cosby Show, Charlie and Company did not catch on with audiences and was canceled in May 1986. In 1987, he appeared in the pilot episode for Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and had a guest role on Mr. Belvedere. In 1988, White had a supporting role in Cadets, a sitcom starring Soleil Moon Frye. The pilot episode aired during a preview special on September 25, 1988, on ABC. The series, however, was not picked up by the network. Also during the 1980s, he appeared in a few segments of NBC's One to Grow On.
White had a role in the NBC television film Camp Cucamonga. The film features an ensemble cast including Sherman Hemsley, Jennifer Aniston, and Brian Robbins. Several other child actors of the era including Chad Allen, Candace Cameron, Danica McKellar, Josh Saviano, and Breckin Meyer also appear.

### Family Matters

At the age of 12, White originated his most famous role, Steve Urkel, on Family Matters (1989–1998). The role was initially conceived as a one-time guest appearance, but the character proved to be popular, and White was given a full-time starring role. He also played several other members of the Urkel family, including his alter ego Stefan Urquelle and Myrtle Urkel. During the height of Family Matters' popularity, the character of Urkel was marketed with breakfast cereal (Urkel-Os) and an Urkel doll. In addition to starring in the series, White also wrote several episodes, including one, at age 19, that was the series' highest rated for that year. The series was a staple of ABC's TGIF lineup and became one of the longest-running sitcoms with a predominantly black cast in television history.
In 1992, he was featured in The Jaleel White Special, in which he played a fictionalized version of himself making a film, while also playing Steve Urkel.
By the time the series ended in 1998, White, who was then 21 years old, was disillusioned with the role, and had been shaken by the death of his close friend and co-star Michelle Thomas from an aggressive form of stomach cancer. Shortly after the series' cancellation, he stated in a 1999 interview, "If you ever see me do that character again, take me out and put a bullet in my head and put me out of my misery." White was so tightly defined by his Urkel character that he encountered difficulty finding other roles.
In later years, White came to terms with the character. In a 2011 interview with Vanity Fair, he addressed the 1999 "bullet" quote stating, "It's one of those things that it's very unfortunate how quotes are taken out of context. I remember that interview very vividly. I loved playing those characters ... But the fact is that I was maturing. ... To be honest, I was retarding my own growth as a man to maintain the authenticity to what I thought that character should be." When asked if he would ever reprise the Steve Urkel role, White said, "I'll always say never say never; I'm a pretty creative person. I can't envision how I could do it in a way that would be irreverent and fun for both me and the viewing audience".

### Other career highlights

White was the original English-language voice of the popular video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, having been cast in 1993 (pre-dating Martin Burke and Ryan Drummond). He voiced the character in all of the DiC-produced animated series: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic SatAM, and Sonic Underground, as well as the Christmas special, Sonic Christmas Blast. In Underground, White also voiced Sonic's brother and sister, Manic and Sonia.
In 1999, White returned to television in the UPN sitcom Grown Ups. The series was based around White as a young man striking out into adulthood. He also co-produced and wrote some episodes for the show, in which he starred as "J", a college graduate struggling to establish his role in life as an adult. The pilot episode featured another former child actor, Soleil Moon Frye, known for her role as Punky Brewster, as the girl whom he chose as a roommate. The show received poor reviews from critics but debuted in second place in the ratings upon its premiere. However, ratings soon dropped and UPN canceled the series after one season.
White's acting roles have not been restricted to sitcoms. He has provided his voice to several animated projects including Warner Bros.' 1998 film Quest for Camelot. In 1999, he provided the voice for a teenaged Martin Luther King Jr., in Our Friend, Martin.
In 2001, White graduated from UCLA with a degree in film and television. He has continued acting and has had small parts in the films Big Fat Liar (in a cameo role) and Dreamgirls, and was featured as the lead role in the direct-to-DVD comedy Who Made the Potatoe Salad? in 2006. In 2007, he guest-starred on the CW series The Game, followed by a role as a law school graduate interviewing for a job at Crane, Poole and Schmidt in the ABC legal drama Boston Legal.
In June 2009, White began appearing in the web series Road to the Altar. In the series, White stars as Simon, a 30-something black man marrying a young Jewish girl named Rochelle. In September 2009, White guest starred on the USA Network series Psych, as an estranged college singing buddy of the character Gus.
In June 2010, White starred in the web series Fake It Till You Make It. He also serves as writer and producer of the series. The series, which premiered on Hulu, follows the exploits of former child star Reggie Cullen (White) turned image consultant and his three protégés as they hustle to navigate Hollywood. In March 2011, White guest starred on the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet?, which reunited him with fellow Family Matters cast member Telma Hopkins. Later that same year, White appeared as the star in Cee-Lo Green's music video for his song "Cry Baby".
In October 2011, White appeared in the season 8 premiere of House, titled "Twenty Vicodin", where he appears as a well-connected inmate, occasionally helping Hugh Laurie's character Gregory House to sneak contraband into the prison. In April 2012, White began hosting the Syfy game show Total Blackout.
In March 2012, White began competing on the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with two-time dance champion Kym Johnson. In the opening night's performance, White and Johnson danced the Foxtrot to "The Way You Look Tonight". They earned a total of 26 points out of 30. White was voted off the series in May 2012.
In 2015, White appeared in a Scion commercial.
In 2017, it was announced that CBS picked up his single camera comedy series Me, Myself & I with Bobby Moynihan, that premiered in September 2017. After six episodes, it was pulled from the fall schedule, leaving seven episodes unaired, with the network airing the remaining episodes in the summer.

## Personal life

White is a Christian. He dated actress Christine Lakin from fellow TGIF show Step by Step in the early 1990s. White has one daughter, with ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy. On May 4, 2024, White married Nicoletta Ruhl, a sports technology business executive, in a ceremony in Los Angeles.
White is a big fan of basketball and frequently played pickup games with George Clooney, who was taping ER in the studio next door.
In 2021, White announced the launch of his line of cannabis products featuring the Purple Urkle strain, set for debut on April 20 at California dispensaries.
White released an autobiography in November 2024, where he reflects on his career and life after playing the Urkel character.
White has a memorial set up in his home for his Family Matters co-star Michelle Thomas, who died in 1998 of stomach cancer, shortly after the series had wrapped up.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Quest for Camelot | Bladebeak | Voice |
| 1999 | Our Friend, Martin | Young Martin Luther King Jr. | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Big Fat Liar | Himself | Uncredited |
| 2006 | Miracle Dogs Too | Leo | Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Puff, Puff, Pass | Tenant No. 2 | |
| 2006 | Who Made the Potatoe Salad? | Michael | |
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | Talent Booker | Cameo |
| 2008 | Kissing Cousins | Antwone | |
| 2008 | Green Flash | Jason Bootie | Direct-to-video Alternative title: Beach Kings |
| 2009 | Call of the Wild | Dr. Spencer | |
| 2009 | Road to the Altar | Simon Fox | |
| 2010 | Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus | Dr. McCormick | Direct-to-DVD |
| 2011 | Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer | Mr. Todd | |
| 2012 | Rhymes with Banana | J | |
| 2013 | Sonic | Sonic the Hedgehog | Voice, fan film |
| 2013 | The Wrong Woman | Detective Hamer | |
| 2013 | Parking Lot Pimpin' | — | Writer |
| 2014 | Dumbbells | The Leader | |
| 2014 | Santa Con | Paul Greenberg | |
| 2016 | Mommy, I Didn't Do It | Detective Hamer | |
| 2017 | The Preacher's Son | James Back | |
| 2018 | The 15:17 to Paris | Garrett Walden | |
| 2019 | 5th Of July | Orlando | |
| 2022 | North of the 10 | Lyle Silvers | |
| 2022 | The Greatest Inheritance | Mr. Shepard | |
| 2022 | Hustle | Blake | |
| 2022 | Dumbbells Special Edition | Cult Leader | |
| 2023 | Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie | Steve Urkel, Urkel Bot, Stefan Urquelle | Voice; Direct-to-video; also Producer |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1984 | The Jeffersons | Van Van Morris | Episode: "Ebony and Ivory" - 11x02 |
| 1984 | Silence of the Heart | Hanry | Television film, uncredited |
| 1985 | Kids Don't Tell | Christofer | Television film |
| 1985–1986 | Charlie & Co. | Robert Richmond | 18 episodes |
| 1986 | The Disney Sunday Movie | Jake | Episode: "The Leftovers" |
| 1987 | Mr. Belvedere | Ernie Masters | Episode: "Jobless" |
| 1987 | Good Morning, Miss Bliss | Bobby Wilson | Episode: Pilot |
| 1987 | Jay Leno's Comedy Hour | Kid Eating Cake No. 5 | Television special |
| 1987 | The Little Clowns of Happytown | Rodney | Episode: "I'm Just Like You"; uncredited |
| 1988 | Cadets | Cadet Nicholls | Unsold pilot episode |
| 1989–1998 | Family Matters | Steve Urkel, Stefan Urquelle, Myrtle Urkel | 208 episodes Writer - 2 episodes |
| 1990 | Camp Cucamonga | Dennis Brooks | Television film |
| 1991 | Full House | Steve Urkel | Episode: "Stephanie Gets Framed" |
| 1991 | Step by Step | Steve Urkel | Episode: "The Dance" |
| 1992 | The Jaleel White Special | Himself, Steve Urkel | Television special |
| 1993 | Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog, Masonic the Mummified Hedgehog | Voice, main role |
| 1993–1994 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog | Voice, main role |
| 1995 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Derek | Episode: "Not with My Cousin You Don't" |
| 1996 | Sonic's Christmas Blast | Sonic | Voice, television special |
| 1997 | Step by Step | Crew Member, Steve Urkel | Episode: "A Star is Born"; uncredited |
| 1997 | Meego | Repossessor, Guy blowing a whistle | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Diagnosis: Murder | Himself | Episode: "Must Kill TV" |
| 1999 | Sonic Underground | Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonia the Hedgehog, Manic the Hedgehog, Aman-Rapi | Voice, main role |
| 1999–2000 | Grown Ups | J. Calvin Frazier | 22 episodes Producer |
| 2000 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Boy Who Cried Wolf | Voice, episode: "Aesop's Fables: A Whodunit Musical" |
| 2002 | Inspector Gadget's Last Case | Gadgetmobile | Television film |
| 2003 | 111 Gramercy Park | BJ Brown | Unsold pilot episode |
| 2005 | Half & Half | Hershel | Episode: "The Big State of the Reunion Episode" |
| 2007 | The Game | Chris | Episode: "The Big Chill" |
| 2007 | Boston Legal | Kevin Givens | Episode: "Guise 'n Dolls" |
| 2009, 2012 | Psych | Tony | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Fake It Till You Make It | Reggie Culkin | 8 episodes; also executive producer and writer |
| 2011 | The Problem Solverz | K-999 | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Are We There Yet? | Ray Savage | Episode: "The Nick Gets Jealous Episode" |
| 2011 | House | Porter | Episode: "Twenty Vicodin" |
| 2011 | Love That Girl! | Director | Episode: "Director's Cut" |
| 2012 | NCIS | Martin Thomas | Episode: "A Desperate Man" |
| 2012–2013 | Total Blackout | Host | 24 episodes |
| 2013 | Regular Show | Cool Shade, Darryl | Voice, episode: "TGI Tuesday" |
| 2013 | Drop Dead Diva | Bob, Game Show Host | Episode: "Guess Who's Coming?" |
| 2014 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Kenny, Passenger | Episode: "Keep Calm & Carry On" |
| 2014 | Celebrities Undercover | Himself | Episode: "Joey Fatone & Jaleel White" |
| 2014–2018 | Drunk History | Various | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Hell's Kitchen | Himself | Episode: "11 Chefs Compete" |
| 2015 | Hawaii Five-0 | Nolan Fremont | Episode: "Ho'amoano" |
| 2015 | Castle | Mickey Franks | Episode: "Dead from New York" |
| 2016 | The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness | Himself | Episode: "The 90's" |
| 2016 | Celebrity Family Feud | Himself | Season 2, Episode 7 |
| 2016 | Atlanta | Himself | Episode: "Nobody Beats the Biebs" |
| 2016 | Survivor's Remorse | Derek | Episode: "The Photoshoot" |
| 2017 | Bones | Officer Adams | Episode: "The Tutor in the Tussle" |
| 2017–2018 | Me, Myself & I | Darryl | 13 episodes |
| 2018 | Trial & Error | Atticus Ditto Jr. | Recurring in season 2 |
| 2018, 2020 | Fresh Off the Boat | Calvin | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? | Steve Urkel, Urkel Bot | Voice, episode: "When Urkel-Bots Go Bad!" |
| 2019 | Historical Roasts | Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Staging Christmas | Mr. Lexington | Television film |
| 2019–2020 | Raven's Home | Chris Springlakes | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Big Show Show | Terence "Terry" Malick III | 5 episodes |
| 2020 | Teen Titans Go! | Miner | Voice, episode: "The Night Begins to Shine - Chapter One: Mission to Find the Lost Stems" |
| 2020 | Ever After with Jaleel White | Himself, Host | Producer |
| 2020–2021 | DuckTales | Gene the Genie | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2021 | Family Reunion | Eric | 1 episode |
| 2023 |
| 2023 | American Dad! | Edgar Queefinski | Voice, episode: "Cow I Met Your Moo-ther" |
| 2023 | The Eric Andre Show | Himself | Episode: "Jaleel Blanco" |
| 2023 | The Afterparty | Himself | Episode: "Vivian and Zoë" |
| 2024 | Star Wars: Skeleton Crew | Gunter | Recurring role |
| 2024–present | Flip Side | Himself (host) | Game Show |

### Web

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | SuperF*ckers | Percy, Omnizod | Voice, 12 episodes |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Title of work | Result |
| 1985 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actor – Guest in a Television Series | The Jeffersons | Nominated |
| 1986 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Supporting Actor in a New Television Series | Charlie & Co. | Nominated |
| 1991 | Young Artist Award | Outstanding Young Comedian in a Television Series | Family Matters | Won |
| 1994 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress | Family Matters | Won |
| 1995 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress | Family Matters | Won |
| 1996 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Television Actor | Family Matters | Nominated |
| 1996 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Family Matters | Nominated |
| 1997 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Family Matters | Won |