Jaleel White : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Family Matters)

Regularly played basketball against George Clooney while each was on their respective TV series, "Family Matters" (1989) and "ER" (1994), which were on nearby sets.

Graduated from UCLA Film School in 2001.

Attended Henry E. Huntington Middle School in San Marino, California.

Enjoys making homemade ice cream and even considered doing it professionally when he was a teenager.

Likes writing short stories and drawing cartoons.

Before auditioning for Steve Urkel, he was looking for the "classic" nerd glasses (black, think, with tape around the center) but had no luck. His father, a dentist, tossed him the glasses he used to keep particles out of his eyes. Jaleel just figured he would find different glasses later. The crew loved the look so he kept them.

It was his idea to use the whiny voice, hike up the pants, and walk with bent elbows for his character on "Family Matters" (1989).

Is anti-alcohol and drugs.

Attended South Pasadena High School in South Pasadena, California. Once video-taped an experiment for Mr. Kemp's Physics class when he was away working on the set of "Family Matters."

After shooting his first scene as Steve Urkel, fifty frat boys in the audience started chanting "Urkel! Urkel! Urkel!" It was then that the producers realized how gifted he was.

Ranked #37 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars"

Was considered for a main character role during the casting of "Saved by the Bell" (1989).

After going through puberty during season 3, he admitted it was harder doing the nerd voice for his character Steve Urkel and because of that, the voice sounds more unnatural than before his voice change.

Played the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog on three animated series, including "Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog," the ABC Saturday morning cartoon "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Sonic Underground."

Will always be known for his character Steve Urkel on the hit ABC sitcom "Family Matters" (1989). White also appeared as Urkel on _"Full House" (1987)_ , "Step by Step" (1991) and "Meego" (1997).

Ranked #1 in Q-Ratings (1991)