Jaleel White

Jaleel Ahmad White (born November 27, 1976) is an American actor. He first portrayed Robert Richmond on the short-lived sitcom Charlie & Co. (1985-1986) before rising into prominence for his role as Steve Urkel, and then his cousin Myrtle Urkel, and also his alter-ego role as Stefan Urquelle 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 even had the leading role as Michael in the 2006 comedy film Who Made the Potato Salad?; thus having a supporting role as Detective Hamer in the two films including The Wrong Woman (2013) and Mommy, I Didn't Do It (2016); and as well as James Black in the film The Preacher's Son (2017) and its 2018 sequel The Choir Director. White also reprised his role as Steve Urkel in the animated film Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie (2023). He also had guest roles in dozens of television sitcoms including a repossessor in Meego and as well as Officer Adams in 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 after spending season 1 as a guest star, White joined the main cast in season 2. He also played two 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 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 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.

White began hosting the game show Flip Side in 2024. The program was a success, drawing over a million viewers in daytime syndication, and was renewed for a second season in 2025.

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 his 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 filming ER in the studio next door.

White is also a fan of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.

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 a memoir in November 2024, in which 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 2006 Miracle Dogs Too Leo Direct-to-video Puff, Puff, Pass Tenant No. 2 Who Made the Potatoe Salad? Michael Dreamgirls Talent Booker Cameo 2008 Kissing Cousins Antwone Green Flash Jason Bootie Direct-to-videoAlternative title: Beach Kings 2009 Call of the Wild Dr. Spencer 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 The Wrong Woman Detective Hamer Parking Lot Pimpin'''

Television Year Title Role Notes 1984 The Jeffersons Van Van Morris Episode: "Ebony and Ivory" - 11x02 1984 Silence of the Heart Hanry TV movie 1985–86 Charlie & Co. Robert Richmond Main cast 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 TV special 1988 Cadets Cadet Nicholls Unsold Pilot Episode 1989–98 Family Matters Steve Urkel, Stefan Urquelle, Myrtle Urkel Main cast Writer - 2 episodes 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 TV special 1993 Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog, Masonic the Hedgehog, Mummified Hedgehog Voice, main cast 1993–94 Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog Voice, main cast Voice, episode: "TGI Tuesday" 2013 Drop Dead Diva Bob, Game Show Host Episode: "Guess Who's Coming?" 2014 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kenny Greene Episode: "Keep Calm & Carry On" 2014 Celebrities Undercover Himself Episode: "Joey Fatone & Jaleel White" 2014–18 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" 2017–18 Me, Myself & I Darryl Main cast 2018 Trial & Error Atticus Ditto Jr. Recurring cast: Season 2 2018, 20 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 2019–20 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 2020–21 DuckTales Gene the Genie Voice, 3 episodes 2021 Family Reunion Eric 1 episode 2023 American Dad! Edgar Queefinski Voice, episode: "Cow I Met Your Moo-ther" 2023 The Eric Andre Show Himself Episode: "Jaleel Blanco" 2023 The Ms. Pat Show Max Jefferson 2 episodes 2023 The Afterparty Himself Episode: "Vivian and Zoë" 2024 Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Gunter Recurring cast 2024– Flip Side Himself (host) Game Show

Web Year Title Role Notes 2012 SuperFuckers Percy, Omnizod Voice, 12 episodes

Awards and nominations