TVSquad

My favorite role of Jaleel's was not as Urkel, but as Sonic on the Saturday Morning Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon on ABC back in the day.

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Don't know what Jaleel is up to, but I'd just like to say he is a good actor.
Yes, his character became a caricature of itself in the latter years of the show, but he did a good job playing that role....

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He's auditioning for stuff. I spotted him auditioning for Wayne Brady's pilot for the CW.

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Did you look at www.jaleelwhite.com?

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Wow, Jaleel was sonic? I totally didn't know that. Loved the show. (btw, at least he's not being more, erm... adult for a living like some former family matters cast members.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaimee_Foxworth )

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I still can't believe A) Myra (The actress) died of Cancer shortly after the show ended. And B) they actually killed the show so badly by selling it to CBS. My GOD! That last season was like a pile of crap! Not only did they turn Myra into some crazed stalker making her all of a sudden have a high tech surveilance system in her room. They made Laura break up with STEFAN to marry STEVE! Steve also wins a million dollars but loses it all at the same time when he destroys a scoreboard. They send Steve into space. WTF did they do this to the show?

I'll be honest, I watched the show every week when it was part of TGIF. But the year it was sold to CBS to compete with TGIF, I stopped watching it. So I didn't see ANY of the last season until earlier this year in syndication. I'm glad I didn't, it saved me the pain back in the day. They should have ended it on ABC right then and there. With the pirate time travel episode.

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A few minutes ago, I heard from a credible source that Jaleel actually passed away. I cannot confirm this, and I sure as heck hope it's not true.

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I also heard that Jaleel White passed away by suicide. I wish someone would confirm or deny this statement. I would hate to spread rumors that are not true.

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Greetings & god forgive me if this aint true. (you know there is an old wives tale rooted in african folklore that talks about announcing others death) but anyways.. I was forwarded this email. it seems to look credible as a news article -BUT does not identify which news source which make is suspect. Remember that nasty email that went around about Serena and how she talked really bad about black people- mainly brothas in a recent magazine/newspaper article ?? bunk.. I think it was some brothas who were hatin on sista- but thats a different topic. LMAO!!! ok here it goes....


> LOS ANGELES, California (AP) --
>
> Jaleel White, who played 'nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel on "Family
> Matters" found dead Monday.
> He was 29 years old.
>
> White was pronounced dead on arrival after admission to an LA hospital early Monday morning. The death is being investigated as a suicide.
>
> Born Jaleel Ahmad White, he began his career at the age of three
> acting in television commercials, before landing guest spots on shows
> such as "The Jeffersons" and "Mr. Belvedere." It was in 1989 that
> White landed the role that would make him famous, playing wacky
> neighbor 'Steve Urkel' on the ABC program "Family Matters."
>
> Following the cancellation of "Family Matters" in 1997, friends claim
> White became obsessed with the character, and grew despondent, despite further successes as star and producer of the UPN sitcom "Grownups", and as a writer for NBA.com
>
> Neighbor and friend, Bradley Spencer alerted police after hearing what he described as "a loud bang" coming from White's Los Angeles apartment.
>

Authorities state that upon entering the home they discovered a young
> African-American male with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound
> to the head. Also found was a note, which read simply "Did I do
> that?", a popular catchphrase from the show.
>
> "Jaleel was an uncommonly good man, an exceptional role model and a
> great comedic actor," said William Bickley, who created the series,
> and Thomas L. Miller, one of the executive producers, in a joint
> statement.
>
> "We feel privileged to have known him and worked with him. He'll be
> missed and remembered every day by his many, many friends," they said.
>
> Actress Kellie Williams -- Laura Winslow on the series -- described
> White as a consummate professional actor. "Everyone adored him," she
> said.
>
> "We have all lost a dear, dear brother," said Reginald VelJohnson, who

> played Carl Winslow.
>
> White, an only child, is survived by "cousins, aunts, uncles, and
> wonderful friends," Bickley said.

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That email is a fake; there's no article on AP's site to back it up. It's a bit on the subtle side, with the joke being what he put down for his sucide note.

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I just received the same info about Jaleel White, I did a search and the closes thing I could find was this site. I hope it isn't true.

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I'm still doing the research myself. i'd hope that he wouldn't commit sucide. he's got to much pride for that. but if it is true, god bless his soul. he didn't have to take his own life like that. nothing in the world is that tough to bear. seems to me like he was doing pretty good for himself with his writing and everything even after the show's cancelation. if it is true, there sure hasn't been much publicity about it. the man is a legend, why wouldn't alot more people know about it before now.

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I think this is very cruel to say this about a nice looking young man. Jaleel White you're my legend and I think You're still Fine as a man. I have a friend who favors you. Everytime I see him, I think of you. I hope you're still alive just to prove a idiot wrong, whomever put this e-mail out about you. Love you. Jaleel White.

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I did some research on Jaleel White, He is no DEAD.
Look on www.snopes.com
Claim: Jaleel White (Steve Urkel of television's Family Matters) committed suicide.

StatusFalse.

Origins: The above-quoted false news report of a former child star's death by suicide was spread within the online world via a fabricated Associated Press story passed from inbox to inbox. It Jaleel White, an actor best known for his portrayal of Steve Urkel, the nerdy young neighbor in the television sitcom Family Matters (1989-1998), was said to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. (The poorly-written "AP" article both had the victim being found dead in his home and pronounced dead following admission to a Los Angeles-area hospital. While California is famed for its laid-back attitude toward a great many things, said easygoing philosophy does not extend to its hospitals admitting the dead for treatment.)

According to the story, White took his own life after becoming obsessed with the Steve Urkel character he'd played on Family Matters and growing dispondent, presumably over the cancellation of the show. It was all a send-up, though. Although Jaleel has been out of the public eye for a while, he is alive and well, most recently having appeared in an episode of TV's 24. No news outlets, including the Associated Press, the purported source of the article, have published accounts about Jaleel White's death.

White is far from the first celebrity to be made the butt of a "He's dead!" joke. The quintessential hoax of this ilk is the "Paul is dead" belief attaching to Paul McCartney — it began in 1969 and at least among some


continues to this day. Other famed personages scuttlebutt had pushing up daisies even as they themselves continued to traverse this mortal coil include William Hung of American Idol fame, Subway pitchman Jared Fogel, children's television host Steve Burns of Blue's Clues, Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite, and even the dog from the Taco Bell commercials.

As to why it was Jaleel White this time around, the answer is perhaps found in the suicide note he supposedly left behind. "Did I do that?" was the wide-eyed humorous pronouncement associated with Steve Urkel, the character's signature catchphrase. Under that theory, the "news account" of the former child star's suicide serves as the set-up for that line.

Barbara "note booked" Mikkelson

Last updated: 3 June 2006

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I had recieceved a email saying that he passed away i hope this is not true either how can a fine young man take his own life how sad. I really don't belive unitl its confirmed.

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So is he dead or not?

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just found out not true for sure

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In my opinion, Jaleel White was the most unforgettable character on the show. Despite Eddie's muscular physique, Laura looking like a mini-Gladys Knight and the parent's weekly antics (Carl calling Steve like Mr. Spacely calling George Jetson), Steve Urkel was the real draw. I can remember him when he played on Charlie and Company with the late, great Flip Wilson. I, too, thought Jaleel had died, but was pleased to find out that he hadn't. I know he had a cameo appearance in Big Fat Liar a year or so ago, but I think it's time he got a chance to star in something of his own, so he can lose that 'Urkel' stigmatism. It would be shameful to lose such a talented individual.

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I'm extremely happy to find out it is not true. What the heck is wrong with people in circulating a nontruth. Jaleel (Urkel) has many many people who love him and appreciate his work. Who ever put started the rumor ...remember, what goes around, comes right back at you!

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i received this same email and it is really a shame how cruel some people can be and don't realize that people tahke death very seriously....

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