All About Jaleel White's Daughter Samaya White

Jaleel White shares a very close bond with his daughter Samaya.

The Family matters the actor welcomed his only child with ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy in August 2009. Since then, the father-daughter duo have shared many fun times together, including days at the beach and visiting the set American Ninja Warrior (Samaya’s favorite show).

Samaya also joined her father at several red carpet events, including the 2019 film premiere Jumanji: The Next Level and premiere in 2022 Hustle. At the latter, the father-daughter pair was also accompanied by White’s current wife, Nicolette Ruhl, whom he married in May 2024.

Ever since Samaya was born, White has taken his role as the girl’s father very seriously. In a 2020 birthday tribute to his daughter, the actor admitted he “cried uncontrollably” when she was born. “I thank your spirit for choosing me to be your dad,” he added.

A few months later, he shared more about his parenting philosophy on Instagram, encouraging other parents to “talk to their kids” and “invite them to talk about what’s on their hearts.” White added: “#GirlDads teach your daughters that yelling is not necessary to ever get your point across. It’s okay to be responsible. Not enough fathers teach their daughters the power of admitting mistakes and sincerely apologizing.”

From her first movie premiere to her love for sports, here’s everything you need to know about Jaleel White’s 15-year-old daughter Samaya.

She was born in 2009

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

White and Hardy welcomed a daughter, Samaya, on August 15, 2009.

The former couple split when Samaya was 11 months old and eventually agreed to joint custody after a lengthy custody battle.

He motivates his father to continue acting

Jaleel White and Samaya White attend Tender Fest presented by Off The Menu on November 15, 2019 in Los Angeles.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Although White is best known for his role as Steve Urkel in the 90s sitcom Family mattersthe actor has taken on a number of other roles over the years. In an interview with Fox News in September 2019, White said he continued acting because he wanted to set a good example for his daughter.

“You have different motivating factors in life, period. I think my biggest motivating factor right now is my daughter,” he said. “You have to set an example for your children. They look at you more than they listen to you.”

White added: “So see me go to work, see me continue to act, continue to work hard, stay up late at night, write, do pitch meetings, travel for my work. And these are the things that will instill her work ethic. So now I have to be her inspiration. And that’s one of the things that keeps me going.”

She attended her first film premiere in 2019

Jaleel White, Samaya White and Shannon Decker at the 2019 Sony Pictures ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ Premiere.

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Samaya attended her first film premiere in December 2019 when she walked the red carpet for Jumanji: The Next Level with his dad. White shared a series of photos from the premiere on Instagram, including shots of Samaya with actors Danny Devito and Ser’Darius Blaine.

“Take it from my baby’s first premiere: A. #jumanji #jumanjithenextlevel must see! @kevinhart4real impersonating Danny Glover is a JOKE 🤣🤣 B. She’s not a baby anymore 😢C. This dad got #DiddyCropped for a real bigger star 😒🤩#DannyDeVito,” he said in the caption.

She and her dad love to travel together

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

Samaya has a very close relationship with her father and the couple like to travel together. Over the years, they visited Universal Orlando Resort and went skiing with friends.

In August 2021, the father-daughter duo went on vacation to Miami at the end of the summer. White shared a video of their trip on Instagram, in which he says they rode in a slingshot car and went bowling.

“I gave my baby a summer reading list 📚Told her if she finished all the books I’d take her to Miami in her lifetime,” he wrote in the caption. “Well 🤷🏽‍♂️She finished her reading and dad made the time.”

She finished elementary school in 2021

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

In June 2021, Samaya finished elementary school. White celebrated the milestone by posting a series of photos from graduation and moments together during their school years. In the description, he revealed that he drives Samaya to school every morning and that “the morning drive marks time like nothing else.”

“Before Covid she didn’t want anyone else behind the wheel but me, and today marked our last drive. As soon as she crossed that leg in the backseat of my car, I knew something had changed forever,” he said. “High school has arrived. My baby will always be my baby, but as you can see, she is no longer a baby. Jump into your future, Samaya, be aware and fearless. Thank you for choosing me to be your father.”

He likes to joke with his dad

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

On Prank Day 2022, the then-12-year-old pranked White by wearing fake acrylic nails after the pair argued about how she wasn’t allowed to wear the nail style. The actor shared his reaction on Instagram by posting photos and a video of his daughter laughing.

“So I decided to bring ice cream home as a surprise 🍨 I look down and see the 7th grade lady got a colorful array of video vixen acrylic nails 💅🏽 and WE TALKED ABOUT THIS and how it’s NOT allowed,” he explained. . “I’m super cool about it. No shouting at all. I see her and my girl looking at each other… these fools put FAKE acrylic nails on her nails just to see what I would do.”

He plays several sports

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White with DJ D Sharp at a Golden State Warriors game.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

Samaya and White bonded over their shared love of sports. While she and her father often attend sporting events together, including Los Angeles Dodgers and Golden State Warriors games, the teenager also plays a variety of sports. According to White’s Instagram, Samaya played volleyball, softball, soccer and basketball.

White shared his excitement about his daughter enjoying the sport in a post about the couple visiting the Kobe Bryant mural in Los Angeles in January 2021.

“I always thought I wanted a son until she arrived. She loves the game just as much if not more,” he wrote in the caption. “Friday night was different during the CoViD measures. Going on a tour of LA’s Westside to see all the Kobe murals and grab some ice cream afterwards seems like an event these days.”

For her 13th birthday, she went to The Weeknd’s concert

Jaleel White and his daughter Samaya White.

Jaleel White’s Instagram

For Samaya’s 13th birthday in 2022, White took her to see The Weeknd perform at Sofi Stadium in LA. He shared a video from the concert on Instagram, where Samaya is seen singing along to the singer’s hit “Can’t Feel My Face” with a friend.

“One of the best parts of being a dad is keeping those promises,” he said. “All she really wanted for her 13th birthday this year was to see @theweeknd live in concert #yourwishisgranted 🧞‍♂️.”

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Source: HIS Education