Jaleel White Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Jaleel White’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth estimated at $8 million, Jaleel White is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying Steve Urkel on the beloved sitcom “Family Matters,” which aired from 1989 to 1998. Initially intended as a guest role, Steve Urkel evolved into a cultural icon, known for the catchphrase “Did I do that?”. Throughout the series, Jaleel appeared in 204 of the 215 episodes. During the show’s peak, he earned approximately $180,000 per episode, equating to around $4 million per season. Adjusted for inflation, this is similar to earning $300,000 per episode today, translating to about $7 million per season in current terms.

Prior to starring in “Family Matters,” Jaleel featured in commercials and had minor roles in 1980s TV series like “The Jeffersons,” “Mr. Belvedere,” and its predecessor, “Good Morning, Miss Bliss.” He also took on a lead role in UPN’s “Grown Ups” (1999–2000) and hosted the Syfy game show “Total Blackout” (2012–2013). In 2005, Jaleel earned the rank of #37 on VH1’s list of “100 Greatest Kid Stars.”

Early Life

Born Jaleel Ahmad White on November 27, 1976, in Culver City, California, he is the son of Gail, a homemaker, and Michael, a dentist. Once Jaleel ventured into acting, his mother became his manager. He attended John Marshall Fundamental High School and South Pasadena High School and graduated from UCLA in 2001 with a degree in film and television.

Early Career

Sparking an interest in acting after a suggestion from his preschool teacher, Jaleel began starring in commercials at the age of 3, notably appearing in a Jello-O pudding pops ad alongside Bill Cosby. In 1984, he secured a guest role on “The Jeffersons” and was initially cast as Rudy on “The Cosby Show,” but ultimately, the role went to Keshia Knight Pulliam after Cosby decided on a female character. In 1985, White featured in the TV film “Kids Don’t Tell” and appeared in all 18 episodes of the CBS sitcom “Charlie & Co.” He continued to build his career with appearances in “The Disney Sunday Movie,” “Mr. Belvedere,” the pilot for “Good Morning, Miss Bliss,” and “Jay Leno’s Comedy Hour” in 1986.

Family Matters

In 1987, Jaleel secured the iconic role of Steve Urkel on “Family Matters,” which began airing in 1989. His portrayal of the Winslow family’s nerdy neighbor was met with enthusiastic audience approval. The role was won after he donned a pair of his father’s oversized dental eyeglasses during auditions.

He made appearances in 203 out of the show’s total of 215 episodes, sometimes portraying Stefan Urquelle (Steve’s suave alter ego) and Myrtle Urkel (Steve’s cousin).

During the 1990s, Steve Urkel became a cultural sensation, leading to the creation of merchandise such as dolls and Urkel-Os cereal.

White revived his role in guest appearances on “Full House” and “Step by Step” in 1991, and also in the animated film “Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?” in 2019.

Other Work

Over 20 films feature White, such as “Dreamgirls” (2006), “Who Made the Potatoe Salad?” (2006), “Call of the Wild” (2009), and “The 15:17 to Paris” (2018).

Additionally, Jaleel was the writer for 2 episodes of the sitcom: “Grandmama” in 1993 and “Home Again” in 1996.

He lent his voice to the well-known video game character Sonic the Hedgehog in “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog” (1993), “Sonic the Hedgehog” (1993–1994), “Sonic’s Christmas Blast” (1996), and “Sonic Underground” (1999). Leading the sitcom “The Grown Ups,” Jaleel starred in all 22 episodes, and he has made guest appearances on numerous TV series, including “Boston Legal” (2007), “Psych” (2009 and 2012), “House” (2011), and “Castle” (2015). In 2010, he both wrote and produced the web series “Fake It Till You Make It,” while in 2012, he hosted the game show “Total Blackout” and competed in “Dancing with the Stars,” finishing in seventh place. Jaleel began a recurring role on Netflix’s “The Big Show Show” in 2020.

Personal Life

In 2009, Jaleel celebrated the arrival of his daughter, Samaya, with then-girlfriend Bridget Hardy. A year later, Hardy claimed that White had hit and shoved her during a confrontation over her suspicions of infidelity, allegations that he has denied, suggesting they were influenced by their custody dispute.

Awards and Honors

White received a Young Artist Award nomination for his guest role on “The Jeffersons” in 1985, as well as for his supporting appearance on “Charlie & Co.” the following year. In 1991, he earned the Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Comedian in a Television Series with his role in “Family Matters.” Jaleel garnered 4 NAACP Image Award nominations for his work on “Family Matters,” winning three times—in 1994, 1995, and 1997. He was also nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Television Actor in 1996. In 2017, the Global Humanitarian Medal of Honor in Memoriam of Theodor Seuss Geisel was awarded to White at the Disney Motif Awards.