- Born
- Birth nameJaleel Ahmad White
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- Jaleel White is an American actor, producer, and writer who is known for playing Steve Urkel from "Family Matters" and voicing Sonic the Hedgehog in three cartoon series released during the 1990s. He also acted in "Big Fat Liar" starring Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes, "Scooby-Doo", "Guess Who", "Dreamgirls", "Grown Ups", and "Bones."
- IMDb mini biography by: Christian Frates
- SpouseNicoletta Ruhl(May 4, 2024 - present)
- ChildrenSamaya White
- ParentsMichael WhiteGail White
- Childhood role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters
- Flattop haircut
- High, raspy voice
- Before auditioning for Steve Urkel on Family Matters (1989), he was looking for the classic nerd glasses (black, thin, with tape around the center) but had no luck. His father, a dentist, tossed him the glasses that he used to keep particles out of his eyes. Jaleel just figured that he would find different glasses at another time. The crew loved the look, so he kept them.
- Originally, his character on Family Matters (1989) was supposed to be a guest-star, but proved to be so popular that he stayed on as a regular.
- He has played the same character (Steven "Steve" Urkel) in four different television series: Full House (1987), Family Matters (1989), Step by Step (1991) and Meego (1997).
- Regularly played basketball against George Clooney while each was on their respective TV series, Family Matters (1989) and ER (1994), which were on nearby sets.
- After shooting his first scene as Steve Urkel on Family Matters (1989), 50 frat boys in the audience started chanting, "Urkel! Urkel! Urkel!" It was then that the show's producers realized how gifted he was.
- The conventions of an almighty agency tapping you for greatness and signing you up and telling you this is going to be the next big thing; that has not been my career.
- You need fans in high places, I always tell people. I don't care how talented you are.
- You have to be respectful of pop culture, because people interpret it in the way they want.
- Writing is still on my slate.
- I've been in this business 31 years. I've never had a movie deal.
- Family Matters (1989) - $100,000 per episode
- Family Matters (1989) - $180,000 per episode (last season)
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