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
I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE ALIVE AND WELL! I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS. I will as keep the person who decided to make this story up, in my prayers. Forgive them for they know not what they do or the havoc they cause.
Peace, Happiness, and Blessings to you Jaleel...(ha ha-referring to u as if i know u personally)
May you continue to be successful in all of your endeavors.
with nothing better to do. Where ever Jaleel is, whatever he is doing, I wish him the best. I first heard of this from my sister whom received it in an email from a friend. I just didn't believe it the minute she told me about it. Come on, he is a well-known celebrity, if that had really happend it would have been all over the news, or at least I would think so.
Stand up, walk away from the computer, and go do something productive with your lives! Feed the poor! Protest an unjust war! Teach someone to read! DO SOMETHING!
Does it matter that he was " some kid on a tv show" as you put it?. The point is that he is a "REAL LIVE HUMAN BEING " with feelings just like you or anyone else. Most of us don't want to see anything bad happen to anyone because maybe unlike you, we seem to care about other peoples' well- being besides our own or that of our families. It's too sad that unfortunately there are people like you out there in this world. Maybe if more people cared, the world would be a much better place. Who says a person has to be a saint for anyone to show concern about them?. Don't you have people who care about you?. You need to get away from the computer and GO GET A HEART !!!.
You Tube Idoits probably care more about this piece of trash than your own families! That's why this world is so @#$%&* UP! GET OVER IT!!!
Dionna
Have a good life Mr. whote, stay away from the guns and the pranks.
-Spin Out
n To him of all people. A persons like iz not 2 be played with. The crazy part iz Iam 15 n I got more since then have these people out here
Rumour still goin' strong, did a search to be sure. Happy u're not 'six feet under'
I am so happy to hear that this was a hoak. Jaleel if you read these messages, please know that people out here love you. I grew up watching Family Matters and I was so sad to think this might have been real. It's sad to think about someone being sad enough to take their own life. Hope all is well and please keep acting.
Jaleel, God bless you in all of your future endeavors.
My twelve year old son, Brock, and I were told this horrible rumor last night. I'm 53 years old and watch you as Urkle and Stefan many many times - unfortunately, our family has suffered the loss of loved ones through the tragedy of suicide - it's nothing to hoax about or joke about - I'm just very relieved and glad to hear that you are well - we really would love to see you either on tv or in movies - preferably "family friendly" - please, anyone reading this - know there's ALWAYS something better - things WILL get better - Read the Psalms - kdy
very glad to hear this is only a hoax....Makes by vacation to Seattle next week much better.
Admired by Bronel