Claim to Fame:
EVERYONE knows Jaleel as Urkel. I can not think of him in anything else.
There lies the problem he's had since the show ended. He will forever be
associated as Steve Urkel.
Family Life: Single
Info: Jaleel was a victim of one of those inaccurate urban
legends that spread like wildfire around the Internet. There was a fabricated AP
story announcing that former child star Jaleel White had shot himself in the
head, leaving behind a suicide note which simply read, "Did I do that?" That
saying was the trademark catch phrase which Jaleel would whine each week as the
bespectacled, nasal nerd Steve Urkel his TV series "Family Matters."
Trivia: Regularly played basketball against George Clooney while each
was on their respective TV series, "Family Matters" and "ER", which were on
nearby sets.
Graduated from UCLA Film School in 2001.
Enjoys making homemade ice cream and even considered doing it professionally
when he was a teenager.
Likes writing short stories and drawing cartoons.
Before auditioning for Steve Urkel, he was looking for the "classic" nerd
glasses (black, think, with tape around the center) but had no luck. His father,
a dentist, tossed him the glasses he used to keep particles out of his eyes.
Jaleel just figured he would find different glasses later. The crew loved the
look so he kept them.
It was his idea to use the whiny voice, hike up the pants, and walk with bent
elbows for his Urkel on "Family Matters".
Is anti-alcohol and drugs.
After shooting his first scene as Steve Urkel, fifty frat boys in the audience
started chanting "Urkel! Urkel! Urkel!" It was then that the producers realized
how gifted he was.
Ranked #37 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars"
Was considered for a main character role during the casting of "Saved by the
Bell".
After going through puberty during season 3, he admitted it was harder doing the
nerd voice for his character Steve Urkel and because of that, the voice sounds
more unnatural than before his voice change.
Played the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog on three animated series, including
"Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog," the ABC Saturday morning cartoon "Sonic the
Hedgehog" and "Sonic Underground."
Where
is He Now: After the show ended, Jaleel White did the voice of one of the
characters for the cartoon movie 'Quest For Camelot.' He also did a TV series
which only lasted a year called 'Grown Ups.' In that sitcom he played a 24 year
old post college graduate.
he graduated from UCLA Film School in 2001. He now lives in a condo in
California and enjoys playing basketball, and is a professional writer. Credit's
include Jaleel White's Blog on NBA.com
The fully-grown Jaleel is not only alive and well, but still guest starring on
television sitcoms, writing scripts, and co-starring in a movie arriving soon on
DVD called "Who Made the Potato Salad?"
Jaleel says he’s been busy making his paper as a screenwriter and just finished
working on a pilot, not to mention two movies this year. One of which is the
eagerly anticipated 'Dreamgirls.' He is with some pretty big co-stars, Beyonce
and Jamie Foxx.
Write To Jaleel: Jaleel White
8916 Ashcroft Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90048
CREDITS: Dreamgirls (2006) (completed) .... Booking agent at Apollo
Kissing Cousins (2006) .... Antwone
Who Made the Potatoe Salad? (2006) .... Michael
Puff, Puff, Pass (2006) (uncredited) .... Tenant #2
Miracle Dogs Too (2006) (V) .... Leo
"Half & Half"
- The Big State of the Reunion Episode (2005) TV Episode .... Hershel
111 Gramercy Park (2003) (TV)
"Grown Ups" .... J. Calvin Frazier
- Nerds of a Feather Gawk Together (2000) TV Episode .... J. Calvin Frazier
"Sonic Underground" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Sonic/Manic/Sonia
Our Friend, Martin (1999) (V) (voice) .... Martin at age 15
"Family Matters" - Steve Urkel/Stefan Urquelle/Myrtle Urkel
Quest for Camelot (1998) (voice) .... Bladebeak
"Meego"
- The Truth About Cars and Dogs (1997) TV Episode .... Steve Urkel
- Love and Money (1997) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Steve
"Step by Step"
- A Star Is Born (1997) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Crew Member/Steve Urkel
- The Dance (1991) TV Episode .... Steve Urkel
Sonic Christmas Blast! (1996) (TV) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
- Not with My Cousin You Don't (1995) TV Episode .... Derek
"Sonic the Hedgehog"
- The Doomsday Project (1994) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Cry of the Wolf (1994) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Heads or Tails (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sub-Sonic (1993) TV Episode .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic's Nightmare (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
(6 more)
"The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog"
- Robo-Ninjas (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Robotnikland (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic Is Running (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sno Problem (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic's Song (1993) TV Episode (voice) .... Sonic the Hedgehog
(23 more)
"Full House"
- Stephanie Gets Framed (1991) TV Episode .... Steve Urkel
Camp Cucamonga (1990) (TV) .... Dennis Brooks
"ABC TGIF" (1990) TV Series .... Urkel
"Cadets" (1988) TV Series .... Cadet Nicholls
Family Comedy Hour (1987) (TV)
Saved by the Bell: The Junior High Years
- Pilot (1987) TV Episode .... Bobby Wilson
"Mr. Belvedere"
- Jobless (1987) TV Episode .... Ernie Masters
The Leftovers (1986) (TV) .... Jake
"Charlie & Co." (1985) TV Series .... Robert Richmond
Kids Don't Tell (1985) (TV) .... Christofer
Silence of the Heart (1984) (TV) .... Hanry
"The Jeffersons"
- Ebony and Ivory (1984) TV Episode .... Van Van Morris
Updated: 10/15/2006
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