11/30/2025
Happy Belated Birthday to the Multifaceted TV Icon, Jaleel White!
Born November 27, 1976, in Culver City, CA, Jaleel White began acting at just 3 years old—starting with commercials, including a memorable pudding ad with Bill Cosby. Early roles on The Jeffersons, Charlie and Company, Mr. Belvedere, and Good Morning, Miss Bliss set the stage for a career spanning 40+ years and over 70 credits.
His life changed in 1989 when he debuted as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, a character intended for one episode who became a cultural legend. Urkel earned White seven award nominations and four wins, including a Young Artist Award and three NAACP Image Awards.
After Family Matters, he showcased his versatility in films like Big Fat Liar, Dreamgirls, and Who Made the Potatoe Salad?, and on series such as CSI, Boston Legal, Psych, Dancing with the Stars, and Me, Myself & I. As a voice actor, he famously portrayed Sonic the Hedgehog and voiced young Martin Luther King Jr. in Our Friend Martin.
Beyond acting, Jaleel is also a writer, producer, painter, and devoted father to his daughter Samaya. He continues to use his platform to advocate against violence and drug abuse in inner-city communities.