LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Jaleel White, who played 'nerdy' neighbor Steve Urkel on "Family Matters" found dead Monday. He was 29 years old.
White was pronounced dead on arrival after admission to an LA hospital early Monday morning. The death is being investigated as a suicide.
Born Jaleel Ahmad White, he began his career at the age of three acting in television commercials, before landing guest spots on shows such as "The Jeffersons" and "Mr. Belvedere." It was in 1989 that White landed the role that would make him famous, playing wacky neighbor 'Steve Urkel' on the ABC program "Family Matters."
Following the cancellation of "Family Matters" in 1997, friends claim White became obsessed with the character, and grew despondent, despite further successes as star and producer of the UPN sitcom "Grownups", and as a writer for NBA.com
Neighbor and friend, Bradley Spencer alerted police after hearing what he described as "a loud bang" coming from White's Los Angeles apartment.
Authorities state that upon entering the home they discovered a young African-American male with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Also found was a note, which read simply "Did I do that?", a popular catchphrase from the show.

Half a year huh? You think if they report it often enough he'll take the hint?

That'way older than a year, at least here in Barcelona. I heard he was dead back when I was in school, that's maybe 8 or 9 years ago. To this day I still surprise some friends when I show 'em a somewhat recent picture of him from the imdb.

I ran a search on CNN today (6/6) and it was posted there; so, does this mean CNN posted a hoax story??????

Phew! I'm so glad that story was a hoax! I think he is very sexy! Thank you for letting me know the truth.

I think this was of poor taste to proclaim someone's death even in a joking way. Poor taste!!!

death is nothing to play around with,put yourself into his position, would you like it if the shoes were on the other foot. Would you like it if your parents read or heard that you were dead later to find out it was a joke.How would you feel?

hahaha, what's funnier is how many people believe bullshit they read at first. IT'S THE INTERNET!!! TRUST NOONE OR ELSE THE MANBEARPIG WILL GET YOU!!

AS I SAID TO MY NIECE, WHO WAS VERY CONCERNED,
I WAS BELIEVING IT UNTIL I READ THE STATEMENT,
"DID I DO THAT?" I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT JALEEL,
A VERY INTELLIGENT AND LEVEL HEADED YOUNG MAN, WOULD DO SOMETHING SO INSENSITIVE TO HIS FAMILY OR HIS FANS.

whoa im glad i know the truth that was so upsetting to think that he would have done that he's a very handsome man with a bright futrue ahaed of him i wish him all the best

well its going all over myspace i believed it at first and so did my parents, to find out it was just a oke that really shows how stupied people can be its almost like wishing death on someone well i'll pry for him n hiz family for all these stupied rumors goinin around

Thank god its not true so keep on living for god is life.

Thankful to know that he still is alive just hope that he doesnt try this because its dumb you should live your life till the fullest.

I am glad that it is not true. I was kinda weary of the information. Because the email I received read that he could not get over being Steve Urkel or something to that effect. But I remember Jaleel White stating, after Family Matters ended, that he was grown and did not want to be referred to as "Urkel". Anyway, I am glad this is just a rumor.

Someone told me n my family on Tuesday that he killed himself. It was sad to here that because growing up I could relate to Steve Urkel. I'm really happy to find out that it was not true. But it is really a shame to see how people start rumors.

Death is not a game nor is it funny. Hoaxs on people's supposed deaths isn't funny.... And why this resurfaced after half a year is incrediable and that it's on CNN.com is even worse. What happened to actually researching a story for facts?

I am skeptical about things I read, including this. I have to have facts. I have to have proof either way. I will be following up close. If he has past on, my sympathy to his family. If not may God have mercy on the souls of the ones who started this rumor. Remember that saying while you are digging a ditch for me be careful because you might just fall in.

i am so happy this was a hoax cuz i love jaleel so much and when i hurd that rumor i cired for days. i love you jaleel. always. foreva baby!!!!

Damn I'm just reading about this, hopefully it is a hoax. If its true its very disturbing, White was very cool. Maybe the fact that he was today still being called Urkel. Which was problably driving him nuts. And the fact it was problably hard to get a job following his most known roll "Steve Urkel". If its true don't you think there's a "family matters" curse, cause Myra (urkels love interest) died in 1998. Judy became a short-term pornstar after being kicked off the show in 1993. Now Urkel's dead...think about it!

When this information was told to me, in the begining I was sadden as if I knew Jaleel White, it's funny how sometime we get so involed with actors and actress, that they become apart of us, Denzel said it best when he was telling Steve Harvey the difference between them is that he comes into people homes and Dezel is only on big screen. And this is so true when we see these actors in these weekly sitcoms and we tivo them, we get caught up. I said all that to say, I was sadden for a minute because all I could think about was this youngman that I came to love, his character, his style, and his great since of humor. Jaleel you may never see this or even hear about it but, I thank God your ok, Jaleel you are a great actor, writer, and producer, and I'm certain a wonderful person, keep your head up and I wish to you much success. And I feel as though we should all pray for the sick person who started this and yes I call him/her a sick person because that is what they are and they need prayer trust they do.

i'm glad its not true....i didin't think you would go out like that.....just goes to show that you really have to be careful about the information you read on the net

phew

I'm sorry.I made a mistake because I'm new to this,but I really don't like death hoaxes because it's not funny and if Jaleel White was really dead then I would be real upset considering the fact that he is one of the coolest brothers around.He is a great actor and I admire his style a lot.When he was playing Steve Urkel in family matters,he went with the most beautiful girl which is Myra.She was an excellent and very fine actor.It's too bad that she died in 1998,I was very sad about that.Anyway,I don't wan't to hear any more f**king hoaxes about Jaleel White I'm serious.Talking about he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head,tell me why the hell he would do that for? he is a true g I don't know what else to say ,but respect this man,for he is cool as hell!!!

i want to know if he is really dead or not

Wow that's really a horrible rumor to spread about someone. I grew up on family matters and when I heard about this Jaleel White supposed death I was really upset. It was different for me. I didn't read this on the Internet. I actually heard it on the radio. I was so shocked. I immediately started trying to find this on the internet. I just typed in my search toolbar "jaleel white" and so much crazy stuff popped up. That's when I start doubting that this might just be a rumor. I wish u well Jaleel and hopefully this rumor goes away quick and fast.

my boyfriend was telling me about it tonight and i was like you got to be lieing the first thing i said was that is unbeleiveable and i said to my self let me look on the net and see can i see some truth and i came across this and i said THANK GOD that wasnt true so keep on living u have did so much in life to let it go down the drain.MUCH LOVE

I didnt believe it then and i dont believe it now people say things that are not true everyday they just need something to talk about. keep on living your life and dont worry about the silly rumors love to see you soon on my tv screen.

Glad to hear the rumour is untrue! God bless you Jaleel! Take care.

I am so happy that those rumors aren't true. I don't think I could take the news of losing yet another one of my favorite childhood stars. I'm still finding it hard to believe that "Hakeem" from Moesha is really gone. It really hurt my feelings when I read that false e-mail. I was shocked that he would do such a thing. And oh let's not forget the note. Anyway I'm glad to see you are alive and well. Now could we see more of you? I think you're a really talented actor.

The article shows that some people are really sick. Jaleel White seems to be doing quite good for himself. Sounds like a fan was too obsessed with the Urkel character. The internet is a source of rumor mills all the time. Just an example: Mike Vick being gay, Eddie Murphy and Johnny Gill doing that true life"Brokeback Mountain". Luther(RIP) rumors about him dying from AIDS.

My Brother only told me about this half an hour ago. He had heard it from our Cousin earlier this morning. A quick search on Google, and presto! It's a hoax. No surprise really. Now if people would just stop trying to kill off Tom Cruise...

Unta Glebin Gloutin Globin,

Red Ronin, The Cybernetic Samurai

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