I need everyone to take a deep breath and calm down. For some reason a rumor has been circulating around the internet that Jaleel White, who played the nerdy-but-lovable Urkel on the TGIF staple Family Matters, committed suicide anywhere between December, 2005 and last month. An alleged Associated Press report stated that White left a suicide note with his former catchphrase "Did I do that?" next to his body. A picture of a gentleman that was supposed to look like Jaleel (except with shaved head. See right) was connected to the story. These rumors eventually reached us here at TV Squad central.
Well, folks, it isn't Jaleel. So, you can all breathe a sigh of relief. It's all a hoax that began at the end of 2005 and, for some reason, popped up again recently. In fact, he recently appeared in an episode of 24 according to iMDb.
So, before you build the makeshift memorials, and have Family Matters parties to commemorate the life of Jaleel White, please go to museumofhoaxes for proof that Urkel is alive and well.
[Bless Von for the time-saving tip]
UPDATE: Folks, your hopes and prayers for Jaleel have not gone unanswered. We were able to get in touch with Mr. White and this is what he had to say:
I'm very much alive and well. Thank you to all who have chosen to spread the truth about my mortality.
Jaleel













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
6-03-2006 @ 6:52PM
Smeagle said...
Gee, thanks. I'm so relieved.
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6-03-2006 @ 8:56PM
Nicky said...
That is so cruel. Why is the world like this. Who would dare start a rumor like that. I am so so happy it isn't true
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6-03-2006 @ 10:02PM
tasha said...
WELL THANKS SO MUCH MY MAMA HAD TOLD ME THIS HAD HAPPENED ON MEM. DAY AND I FOUND OUT TODAY I WAS SO UPSET AND MY STOMACH DIDNT FEEL RIGHT BUT THANKS I AM SO HAPPY TO KNOW THIS IF THERE IS A WAYS TO CONTACT HIM CAN I PLZ KNOW THANKS AND WHO EVER DID THIS THEY WERE WRONG TO EVEN DO IT IT WAS SO WRONG FOR THEM TO MESS WITH SOMEONE LIFE LIKE THAT
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6-03-2006 @ 11:10PM
Latashal Perry said...
Got it..
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6-03-2006 @ 11:17PM
Latashal said...
I never believed it anyway, but we need to stop trying to get paid in the wrong way by spreading nasty and cruel rumors like that. It may come back to haunt you!!
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6-04-2006 @ 10:00AM
Flora said...
Thank god his okay.Im so happy to hear that his alive.I love watching family matters his so funny.People are so bad with this stupid rumors that they making.
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6-04-2006 @ 11:03AM
Angel said...
What made me believe it was because the version of the story I saw was presented as an article from the L.A. Times. It looked very authentic, though I wasn't able to find any such article on their website.....
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6-04-2006 @ 2:15PM
Jet said...
Thank you so much for posting the information about Jaleel... Gosh, when I heard this HORRIBLE rumor.. I was feeling so bad! I had to find a computer to see if it was true.. People need to get a life, instead of posting RUMORS!
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6-04-2006 @ 5:26PM
Xavier paul said...
Yo Jaleel if you read this you gotta know people got mad love for you son...I'm an actor too and grew up watchin you on the show. I knew you didn't like playin that character and all and it wasn't hard to believe you might do something like that cause you did say in an interview once that "If anybody caught you playing that character again they should shoot you in the head and put you out of your misery". I know the rumor was cruel, but on the real son, how could you say something like that about yourself? I cried when I heard the rumor cause I thought you really did it. People say stupid things. Just remember your talent is God given. Show business is unfair however, you did alright for yourself regardless. peace n love bruh.
XMAN
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6-04-2006 @ 7:34PM
Trace said...
I heard it as "Breaking news" the day before yesterday (6/3) on ESPN sports radio here in Dallas.
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6-04-2006 @ 10:04PM
Rhonnie said...
I'm so glad this isn't true. My Sister told me tonight and my heart hit my feet. No matter what happens in a career. God Loves you no matter what. Stay strong and God Bless. My prayers are that you get another series soon ...... We Miss you, You sexy thang!
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6-04-2006 @ 11:15PM
Nesha said...
Thank u so much 4 dat sigh of relief.... When I heard dat I was no ways and immediately googled and yahoo searched it... Thanks for dat sigh of relief..
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6-05-2006 @ 7:08AM
GDub said...
I am relieved to hear that it was just a rumor! I grew up watching Urkel (Jaleel) and when I got that email I was devastated by the news. Although the suicide note was almost funny and should have been my clue. Unfortunately, I sent the rumor to a slew of folks before I verified that it was untrue. The good news is that I recanted my erroneous info with your link! Thanks. And Jaleel keep your head up brother, we love you!
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6-05-2006 @ 8:29AM
Sally said...
OK, even if he isn't dead...that picture is NOT of Jaleel White but someone else who resembles him. AND if Jaleel does read this by any miracle, he would say the same and could possibly sue. Ya might wanna check ya resources and get a REAL picture of the REAL Jaleel.
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6-05-2006 @ 8:36AM
Sally said...
Ok I'm gonna try posting this again.
Thanks for clarifying that Jaleel isn't dead, but you should know that picture isn't of Jaleel. That man doesn't even look like him. Plus, the photographer who took the picture of that man said that it wasn't Jaleel. To be a reporter you sure don't have ALL your facts together. If you want to ask the photographer yourself...go to www.sandrarose.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaleel_White there's a picture of the real Jaleel. I hope he does see your article and sue.
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6-05-2006 @ 10:01AM
LS said...
The photo above is not Jaleel White. This photo is of some other black male, which similar features to Jaleel. Showing this photo next to any information about him is also a disgrace and disrespectful, as it implies more rumors.
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6-05-2006 @ 10:13AM
Latasha said...
I am so relivied that he is not dead. Jaleel have made himself a household name for many people. Hearing that was devastating, Like I losing one of my family members. People who starts rumors are those who are looking for attention in all the wrong places, Try to tranfer that creative energy into doing good,Stay positive and good things will happen for you.
tasha
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6-05-2006 @ 10:16AM
Joel Keller said...
Sally, I think Rich made a point of saying that the picture is not Jaleel, but of someone else. But it's the picture that accompanies the fake article.
Oh, and by the way, if Jaleel ever DID commit suicide, would he *really* leave a note that said "Did I do that?" I mean, think about how silly that is for a second. That alone should have told people that this was a hoax.
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6-05-2006 @ 10:34AM
Cheryl Vaughn said...
I think it's sick that someone would start a rumor like that and upset so many people who were wondering why would a young man, who actually had his whole future before him, commit suicide. why would someone intentionally want to make fans so sad and start wondering well, if Jaleel couldn't make it in this world, what hope is there for the rest of us who haven't even had a small amount of his fame? Jaleel, I'm glad you're still here with us!
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6-05-2006 @ 11:08AM
Sally said...
Oops Sorry...I was just sooooo irate that the picture is still circulating. MY BAD....I apologize.
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