Jaleel Ahmad White, better known as Jaleel White, is an American actor who rose to fame for playing the lovable and eccentric character Steve Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters.
White’s portrayal of Ucker and the character’s iconic catchphrase, “Did I do that?”, became a cultural phenomenon, earning him widespread recognition.
contour
- Full name: Jaleel Ahmad White
- Stage name: Jaleel White
- Date of Birth: November 27, 1976
- Age: 47
- Birthplace: Culver City, California, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Actor
- Height: 1.8m
- Parents: Gail White and Michael White
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Nicoletta Ruhl
- Children: Samaya White
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $8 million
Early life and education
Jaleel White was born on November 27, 1976, in Culver City, California, United States. He was raised by his parents, Gail White and Michael White, but the details of his siblings remain unknown.
White attended John Marshall Basic High School in Pasadena, California, and later transferred to South Pasadena High School, and graduated from the UCLA School of Drama. His ethnicity is African American, and he practices Christianity, but the details of his personal religious beliefs remain private.
Profession
Jaleel White started his acting career at a young age, appearing in small roles in commercials and television shows such as The Jeffersons, Mr. Belvedereand Save the RingtoneHe shot to fame in 1989 as the nerdy yet enthusiastic neighbor in the sitcom Steve Urkel Family MattersThe character quickly became a cultural icon, and White starred in the series for nine seasons.
The following Family MattersWhite continued to work as a voice actor, voicing characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog in three animated series in the 1990s. He has also appeared in the following films: Big Liar, Dream Girland Scooby-DooAnd guest appearances Boston Legal, house, castleand psychologyIn addition, he also hosted the Syfy game show Total power outage From 2012 to 2013.
More recently, Jaleel White has branched out into producing and writing. He serves as executive producer of the TV series Life with Jaleel White and appeared on reality TV shows Dancing with the Stars and Worst Cooks in America.
White’s versatility has allowed him to transition from child actor to adult actor while exploring new avenues such as producing and writing. While Ucker remains his most iconic role, White continues to showcase his talents in a variety of projects.
Awards and nominations
- NAACP Image Award
- Young Artist Award
Social Media
- Instagram account: @jaleelwhite
- Facebook account: Jaleel White
- Twitter account: @JaleelWhite
Personal life
Jaleel White is married to Nicoletta Rule, and their wedding will be held in May 2024, attended by family and friends. White also has a daughter, Samaya White, born to him and his ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy. Samaya remains a central figure in White’s life, and he is known for his dedication and hands-on approach.
Filmography
- Family Matters (1989-1998) – Steve Urkel
- Big Show (2020) – Terry
- Raven’s House (2017-2021) – Chris Spring-Lake
- Ms. Pat’s Show (2023)
- American Dad! (2023) – Edgar (voice)
- The Adventures of Donald Duck (2017-2021) – Gene Elf (voice)
- Teen Titans Go! (2013-2020) – Miner (voiceover)
- Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? (2019-2020) – Various roles (voiceover)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2016) – Sonic (voice)
- The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993-1996) – Sonic (voice)
- Sonic Underworld (1999) – Sonic (voice)
- grown ups (1999-2000)
- Fake it till you make it (2010)
- Are we there yet? (2011)
- psychology (2009)
- Boston Legal (2006)
- house (2007)
- castle (2009)
net worth
With a career spanning decades, Jaleel White has an estimated net worth of $8 million. His financial success is a reflection of his talent and hard work in the entertainment industry, from his legendary role as Steve Urkel to his ongoing involvement in film, television, and production.