Jaleel Ahmad White, born November 27, 1976, is an American actor best known for his role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters (1989–1998), where he was originally meant for a single appearance but became the main protagonist. White was the first American actor to voice Sonic the Hedgehog in the animated series Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (also known as Sonic SatAM), and Sonic Underground.
After Family Matters, he starred in Grown Ups (1999–2000) and appeared in films like Dreamgirls (2006) and TV shows such as Boston Legal, House, Castle, Psych, and Bones.
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Jaleel White Net Worth
Jaleel White has a net worth of $8 million. He is best known for playing Steve Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters, which aired from 1989 to 1998. Originally intended for a one-time appearance, Steve Urkel became a cultural icon, popularizing the catchphrase “Did I do that?“.
White appeared in 204 of the show’s 215 episodes. At his peak, his salary was $180,000 per episode, amounting to around $4 million per season. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to earning $300,000 per episode or $7 million per season today.
Early life
Jaleel Ahmad White was born in Culver City, California, the only child of Michael White, a dentist, and Gail White, a homemaker who later became his manager. White attended John Marshall Fundamental High School in Pasadena, California, and South Pasadena High School, graduating from UCLA in 2001.
Encouraged by his preschool teacher, he began acting as a child and started appearing in TV commercials at age three. One of his notable commercial appearances was for Jell-O pudding pops alongside Bill Cosby.
Career
Jaleel Ahmad 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, where he was initially cast but replaced by Keshia Knight Pulliam. In 1985, he was cast as the son of Flip Wilson and Gladys Knight on the CBS sitcom Charlie and Company, which was canceled in May 1986.
White also appeared in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Mr. Belvedere, and Cadets (1988). He had a role in the NBC film Camp Cucamonga alongside Sherman Hemsley, Jennifer Aniston, and Brian Robbins.
Personal life
In 2009, Jaleel White welcomed a daughter, Samaya, with then-girlfriend Bridget Hardy. In 2010, Hardy alleged that White hit and shoved her during a confrontation about suspicions of his infidelity. However, White denied the allegations, claiming they were fueled by the former couple’s ongoing custody battle.
What happened to Jaleel White?
In 2021, Jaleel White competed as a contestant on season 14 of Dancing With the Stars, finishing in 7th place. In 2020, he played the recurring role of Terry in the Netflix series The Big Show Show. In 2024, he released his memoir titled Growing Up Urkel.
Conclusion
Jaleel White’s journey in the entertainment industry is a remarkable story of talent, perseverance, and adaptability. From a child actor to a respected figure in Hollywood, his career has been diverse and successful, leading to a significant net worth and a lasting impact on popular culture.
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FAQs About Jaleel White’s Net Worth
- What was Jaleel White’s most famous role? – His role as Steve Urkel in “Family Matters.”
- How did Jaleel White start his acting career? – He began acting in commercials at the age of 3.
- What other ventures has Jaleel White pursued? – He has worked as a screenwriter, director, and voice actor.
- How much did Jaleel White earn per episode on “Family Matters”? – At his peak, he earned approximately $180,000 per episode.
- Has Jaleel White won any awards for his acting? – While he has been a beloved figure, specific award details pertaining to his acting are not mentioned.
