Jaleel White

Jaleel White is an actor, voice actor, producer and writer best known for playing the role of Steve Urkel on the show Family Matters.

Jaleel White’s commitment to hard work and his versatile talent have made him one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures. His geeky character Steve Urkel started out as a one-time guest appearance but became a pop culture icon as soon as producer Thomas L. Miller signed White to a recurring role. Instantly, White became the star of the show. Each week he amazed audiences with his versatility and unforgettable characters including Myrtle Urkel, Steve’s southern belle cousin, and Stefan Urquelle, Steve’s suave alter ego. Urkel’s popularity sent Family Matters into the television history books, making it one of few shows to reach 200 episodes.

Now, White brings his experience on Family Matters to the podium, sharing unique anecdotes about making the show and writing for television. Also recounting his own story of trying to make it in the real world upon graduating college, White offers a down-to-earth perspective and advice on ways to find one’s own voice in life and standing out in the crowd.

Jaleel White’s acting career began at age three with Kellogg’s and other commercials after his preschool teacher persuaded his reluctant parents to take him to auditions. He landed his first television role as Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight’s son on the CBS series Charlie and Company. He then appeared on another CBS comedy series, The Jeffersons. Since then he has guest starred on numerous television shows and has a host of national commercial credits. His lifelong passion for basketball led him to become a contributing writer for NBA.com.

Behind the scenes, White wrote and supplied story ideas for several episodes of Family Matters. Additionally, he co-produced and wrote episodes for Grown Ups, in which he also starred as “J,” a college graduate struggling to establish his role in life as an adult. While trying to find his voice off camera, White landed his own television special on ABC in 1992, Urkel’s Other Side: The Jaleel White Special.

White’s other TV credits include numerous made-for-television movies such as Silence of the Heart, Leftovers and Camp Cucamonga, television specials and voices of various animated characters on The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (as Sonic), Our Friend Martin and Quest for Camelot, among others.

White grew up in Pasadena, California and received his B.A. from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television in 2001.