Jaleel White Biography Jaleel Ahmad White was born on November 27, 1976, is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters. White also voiced the character of Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters for Sonic the Hedgehog media. White got his start on TV commercials at age three w/ Kellogg's  after his preschool teacher carried his... more.