Judy Moody and the Not Bummer SummerAn Interview with Jaleel White
By Wilson Morales
June 6, 2011
Best known during his childhood years for his memorable role as Steve Urkel from the ABC family TV series Family Matters, it’s been over ten years since the series ended and Jaleel White went on to live a normal life.
While the California native has appeared in episodic roles on various TV shows such as ‘Half and Half,’ ‘The Game,’ and ‘Boston Legal,’ he’s rarely seen on the big screen. In 2006, he had a cameo appearance (if you didn’t blink) as the talent booker in the musical film ‘Dreamgirls.’
Now 34 years old, White, who also voiced the character of Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters for Sonic the Hedgehog media, will again be seen on the big screen as he plays a teacher in the comedy film, ‘Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.’
Based on Megan McDonald‘s Judy Moody book series, the film chronicles Judy Moody’s adventures in which she sets out to have the most thrilling summer of her life with the help of her little brother Stink (played by Parris Mosteller) and fun-loving Aunt Opal (played by Heather Graham).
In speaking to Blackfilm.com, White talks about his latest film, life after ‘Father Matters,’ and being with his daughter.
After watching you so many years on TV, it’s good to see you on the big screen.
Jaleel White: It’s nice to be on the big screen.
What was the appeal of doing this movie?
Jaleel White: First of all, there are a few things. One, I have a twenty one month old daughter, and so I thought it’d be kind of cool to do something that she could soon that is daddy now. So that’s going to be really fun. The other was that I wanted to work with Sarah Magness who I think is a terrific independent producer. She’s got people that are doing it old school. The director had a lot of control. The sets are so fun. It’s none of that by committee stuff, and then the part was offered to me. Then, like I say, it was a popular book series. So, you like to be a part of things that already have recognizability and have their own following. It made it easy to do.
How would you describe your character Mr. Todd?
Jaleel White: Mr. Todd, man. The first day that I got onto the set John Schultz said, ‘I want a mix between Mr. Rogers and Richard Pryor.’ I was like, ‘What the hell is that?’ I really wrestled with that in my mind. Ultimately, Mr. Todd is a teacher who really sees himself as a performer. So, his class is his stage. From the moment that he enters the classroom he’s not really entering the classroom. He comes in like he’s walking on the stage. That’s how I attacked the role, how I was going to play it.
There’s a scene where you play the banjo. Can you talk about that?
Jaleel White: That thing will haunt me, man. It’s going to haunt me. I really learned to play the banjo for about a month, and they were on me. ‘Don’t forget to take your banjo at the end of the day. Practice.’ I’m like, ‘Man. The camera is so far back nobody’s paying attention to your fingers.’ We got in there to do that scene and they put that camera around three inches from my fingers and said, ‘And go.’ So, fortunately I knew my chords.
But you’ve played other instruments as well, right?
Jaleel White: Oh, yes, but it is a little different when you’re doing it for the big screen because I didn’t know John’s coverage and John really covered the hell out of that classroom and particularly my playing of the banjo, from my foot to my fingers. I mean, I still haven’t seen the final, final cut. I just saw a version in ADR when I was re-recording some things, and I mean, he just really covered every angle of it. So, I had to really get in there and learn how to play banjo. That thing is going to haunt me on Youtube. I already know it.
What was it like working with those kids?
Jaleel White: The kids are great, man. The kids are great. People always ask me what sort of wisdom did I impart to these kids and I’m like, ‘These whipper snapper kids now, they’re very smart.’ They know their lines better than you. You know, Jordana Beatty is light years older than what she really is. I always felt like Jordana was the most mature person on the stage.
Did they know who you were when you got on the set for rehearsals and shooting the movie?
Jaleel White: Totally, but that’s kind of cool though, in that who I am has jumped so many generations, and then the thing about the younger generation is that when they see me in person they can’t believe it’s me. Whereas the older people are like, ‘No, it’s him, it’s him, it’s him.’ The kids are like, ‘Yeah, but I don’t see it.’ So, that speaks to the performances that I gave as a young man, and I actually appreciate the kids knowing me, but at the same time squinting. I like that.
You’ve been doing other work aside from this movie. How is it working out for you as an actor?
Jaleel White: Acting is interesting, man, because it happens in phases. Everybody has different chapters of their career. One minute you’re working in TV and the next minute you’re working in film and then maybe you’re back to TV. It ebbs and flows like that. I honestly never really imagined that I would be working in film as much as I am right now. I really didn’t. I had become comfortable in television and then television took a turn towards reality and kind of left me wondering, ‘How do I figure into all of this?’ Lately it’s been really, really good with all the film stuff. I have another film in the can right now called ‘Rhymes With Banana’ and I should be going into preproduction on another one that starts up in Canada. So, I’m just enjoying it. Sometimes you just have to sit back and let God drive. I’ve been in this business for thirty one years.
How did you make it through all those years without getting caught up in the business because so many young actors can get lost?
Jaleel White: You know what, at a really young age I was really fortunate enough to make some good money and that helps in a major way and it also helps to respect that. I have really, really great parents and I’m not an overly extravagant guy. I really enjoy the work. The endeavor itself is the only reason why I still do this. It comes natural. I’ve been doing it since I was three. It’s just crazy to even say that. My SAG card says 1980. So, as far as getting caught up I always attribute that to family and just a DNA level of appreciation for good opportunities. I’ve seen some awesome stuff, man. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve been to Spain, Paris and shot in these places. And I’ve been fortunate enough to keep it going.
Next weekend is going to be Father’s Day. Is this going to be your second Father’s Day?
Jaleel White: Yes, this will be my second Father’s Day. It’s cool, especially since my dad, obviously, is a better father than me and so it’s a little intimidating sometimes. My daughter, she loves me, but boy, does she love her grandfather. So, the three of us will definitely get together and do something special and she’ll ping-pong off of both of us.
Do you think you’ll let your daughter watch ‘Family Matters’ when she’s older so she can see you when you were young?
Jaleel White: I don’t think I’m going to have a choice. That’s how I’m trying to deal with my life. With the internet she’s going to find me at a very, very early age. There’s no question and that was one of the reasons I said, ‘I need to do this film.’ I want her to see a productive daddy now and discover what I did in my past.
You still a loyal following. Do you ever go out for role in a dramatic piece so that you’re not limited to what you did on TV?
Jaleel White: Well, one of the things that people have to understand about these roles is that they’re not as plentiful as you think. I don’t see too many people that, at least to me, feel like my counterparts doing all of these amazing things. All these opportunities are hard fought for. My goal, really, is to ultimately prove myself more as a writer and a screen talent. The people that I admire most are the Steve Martins of the business. They’ve been able to share with you their intellectual side as well as their goofy side. That’s really what I aim to do over the long run. Whether it’s comedy or drama, I don’t really care. I hate to be arrogant, but there’s nothing that I can’t do on the screen. If somebody else places limitations on me then that’s their issue, but I haven’t been in this business for thirty one years because there’s something that I can’t do on the screen yet. I’ll take on any challenge that comes my way.
What about the web series you were doing, will ‘Fake It Till You Make It’ come back?
Jaleel White: I don’t know if we’re going to come back. I had so much fun with that. I told everybody, I was being blunt, that that was like my mix tape of fans. I wanted to write something that was unfiltered that didn’t have a bunch of notes on it and really explore what that form of media could do. I don’t know if the sponsorship dollars were disappointed in the long run, but I had fun doing it and I wouldn’t rule out doing it again. But that was my mix tape.
Why should be people go see ‘Judy Moody’ when it comes out this week?
Jaleel White: If you’ve got rambunctious kids who like a whole lot of color on the screen, that’s why. It’s a funny film. You’ve got to take them. You want to get them into reading and have a nice Saturday out with the family, and it’s definitely a great movie for that.
If you had to take your daughter to see a few kids films now what films would those be?
Jaleel White: I live in the moment, dog, seriously. I don’t even know what in the heck is out there. Obviously, I have to say ‘Judy Moody’ and then ‘Kung Fu Panda’ second.
