Status: Hoax
The latest false celebrity death rumor going around concerns Jaleel White (best known for playing Urkel on Family Matters). Supposedly he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. This rumor is old. It was first posted on my site over half a year ago (in the comments to my post titled
'Is this Jaleel White?'). It's no truer now than it was then. I have no idea why it's begun circulating again, but here are the main highlights from the hoax AP report:
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.
Like I said, this was all posted on my site over half a year ago. Which means that when people did a Google search for info about Jaleel White committing suicide, my site was one of the first they found. Because of this, my page about Jaleel White started to receive huge amounts of traffic. So much traffic that it was not only slowing the entire site down, but was also slowing other sites that were located on the same server at my web host. Nevin, the technical guy at my web host, has been exchanging emails with me about it all day. What we've done to try to ease the strain on the server is to automatically route people visiting the comments for that old Jaleel White thread to my page about
false celebrity death rumors (which is a static page and therefore uses less of the cpu).
Comments
So like anyone, I would think, I tried to find more information. Nothing. the only info I did get was that it was a hoax.
People are so ridiculous. What is the purpose in saying that about someone? It was obviously someone who does not have a life of their own and felt the need to lie about someone else.
-Ajeenah
that got your own name, jaleel?
Oh my god, i am 17 years old and i was a fan of jaleel white since god knows when. it killed me to hear that he had commited suicide but i thought to myself that it could not be true. im so glad that he is ok and well and he makes movies or star in a new hit sitcom!
Hey did you guys ever consider doing a family matters "The Sequel?
Today I just happened to be looking through the net and found out he was actually alive, then I found a site which said he commited suicide and then (to my relief) I found this site which said the suicide thing was a lie; well I'm glad, I remember watching Family Matters when I was a kid and I love Urkel, he's such a great character!!!
We initially make a point of thanking you for your effort how much considerable with the reading of our mall especially for agreeing to forward to us the electronic address, postal address of Jaleel WHITE and if it is possible to give us her site for urgent and important information.
Once again thank you, we believe that you have all to reach us and answer, also, we hold so that the benevolence is of setting in our exchange.
Our greetings with all the organization,
Billy N NGITUKA
Responsible for the international relations of The organization not governmental "Friends of the District" (in French " les Amis Quartier ")
big 3-0?
How do rumors get started. Sounds familiar I'm very glad Jaleel White is ok, I too was very sad when I heard he had pased away. I'm very happy to now know that he is alive. and for those of you spreaded this ugly rumoor may God forgiveyou.
bless day (CHARLES TAMPA FL)
C R A P.
I will always respect you and an artist of many sorts.
God bless you and your family !
HILARIOUS!!!!!
(vomit)
my twin sister said you look like dee snider, lead singer of twisted sister!!!
JALEEL AHMAD WHITE,YOU GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO YOUR FANS! WHY DID YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE MARRIED WITH CHILD AND TMZ HAS A PICTURE AND A STORY ON YOU WITH TWO WOMEN IN LOS VEGAS? AND YOU WERE SEEN IN LOS ANGELES DATING OTHER WOMEN.I AGREE WITH NEGATIVE PEOPLE THAT WISH YOU WERE DEAD.SO HERE IT IS:JALEEL AHMAD WHITE,IIIIII WISH YOU WERE DEAD AND I MEANT IT! :sick: :zip: 😡 😠 :coolgrin: :coolmad: 😖 :cheese: 🐍