Jaleel White

Born in California, Jaleel White started acting when he was 3 years old. He appeared in a several notable commercials — including for Jell-O pudding pops alongside Bill Cosby. White had a brief stint on The Jefferson Show, Charlie and Company, Good Morning, Miss Bliss and Camp Cucamonga before booking a one-time guest appearance on Family Matters. His role as Steve Urkel, however, was received so well by the audience that White was promoted to a full-time starring role.

White played Steve for nine seasons before taking a brief hiatus from acting to attend UCLA. He continued to book TV roles on shows such as Boston Legal, House, Castle and Psych. He was also a contestant on season 14 of Dancing With the Stars and a host on Total Blackout and Flip Side.

In 2024, White released a memoir titled Growing Up Urkel about his experiences as a child star. He also released a line of cannabis products featuring the Purple Urkle strain.

White, who shares a daughter with ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy, married Nicoletta Ruhl in 2024.