It has been more than twenty years since every family’s favorite Friday night sitcom, Family Matters, aired its final episodes. The show centers around the Winslow family and how their entire lives turn upside down due to their neighbor Stephen Urkel, played by Jaleel White, a nerd boy who keeps on coming up with the most eccentric things that continue to drive the entire Winslow family crazy.
The show wasn’t anticipated to get this successful, but to everyone’s surprise, it surpassed all expectations. Family Matters was also revolutionary for another reason, that being its main cast for primarily people of color. Since people really enjoyed this show, it ran for nine seasons and became one of the longest sitcoms to run while having a predominantly Black cast. One of the biggest reasons behind its success was the amazing performance each cast member gave. In order to celebrate its impact, here’s the list of where the cast is today.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Reginald VelJohnson
ABCDCU
Reginald VelJohnson played Carl Winslow, the stern yet loving father of the Winslow family who was bumping heads with Urkel and losing his patience. Immediately after portraying this character, he played an LAPD Sergeant named Al Powell in the outstanding film Die Hard (1998) and was fortunate enough to be in its sequel as well. However, after that, he stayed on the small screen mainly. For instance, he was in C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation and Hart of Dixie. VelJohnson also made some guest appearances on shows, including That’s So Raven, Bones, Will & Grace, Chuck, Mike & Molly. He has recently been in the Disney+ new series Turner and Hooch.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Jo Marie Payton
ABCDCU
JoMarie Payton depicted Harriette Winslow as a clever and determined character. Despite leaving the program before it reached the end, the original mother of the Winslow family went forward with guest starring on shows such as Will & Grace, Girlfriends, 7th Heaven, and Moesha. Additionally, she voice acted for the role of Sugar Mama in the famous The Proud Family, a cherished Disney Channel animated comedy. In addition, she played the same part yet again in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in 2022. Payton is now in negotiations with a well-known cable channel to create her own lifestyle/cooking series.
6 Jaleel White
Steve Urkel started out as an awkward, nerdy boy with a squeaky-voice. However, when Jaleel White played him, he made Urkel the series’ breakout star. He became an American sensation as a result of the catchphrase “Did I do that?” his iconic dance," The Urke," other merchandising, and Steve Urkel dolls. After getting so hit, Jaleel White started arising on big and small screen projects. For instance, he has voiced Sonic the Hedgehog in numerous animated series, including Sonic Underground.
He also starred in the T.V. show called Grown Ups. Additionally, he appeared as a guest star on television series such as Boston Legal, The Game, House Psych, C.S.I: Crime Scene Investigation, and House M.D. The Preacher’s Son, The Choir Director, and Santa Con are the three movies that White starred in. This is not where this actor stopped and ended up competing in the famous Dancing With the Stars, which aired in 2021. He currently co-stars with Bobby Moynihan in the brand-new C.B.S. comedy Me, Myself, and I, and he will also be seen in ClintEEastwood’s next film, The 15:17 to Paris.
5 Darius McCrary
Darius McCray appeared in UPN’s Freedom after starring as Eddie Winslow, who is the oldest son of Carl and Harriette Winslow. Furthermore, in the Transformers movie (2007), he was also given the opportunity to voice Jazz, Optimus Prime’s partner. Not only this, but he also appeared on The Young and the Restless for two years, and then he appeared in FX’s Anger. While keeping his love for acting alive, from 2018 until 2021, he also made an appearance in a U.M.C. original series Monogamy. Most recently, he has been working on a movie, and executing/producing a new series for the Urban Movie Channel called The Experiment. This may shock the fans, but he has been producing music too, which is absolute bangers.
4 Kellie Shangygne Williams
Kellie Shangygne Williams played the snarky daughter of Carl Winslow and Steve Urkel’s love interest. The actress, who was also a former child model, continued to be a regular on television after the show ended. She starred as a guest star on The Parkers, Moesha, Girlfriends, and Clean House. Fortunately, Williams got the opportunity to appear alongside Kyle Chandler, and Joan Cusack on the A.B.C. comedy show called What About Joan. However, after that now, she spends most of her life with her loved ones, on public speaking, and on a number of charities such as the Kellie Williams Program that she started. She offers various students in the Washington, D.C., metro area the opportunity to create a TV series for Comcast.
3 Bryton James
The adorable and snuggly Richie Crawford, who happens to be Rachel Crawford’s son, was portrayed by Bryton James. After the show ended, James made an appearance on The Hero Factories and the fan-favorite, The Vampire Diaries. In addition, he also played Devon Hamilton Winters in the renowned The Young and the Restless, which is a long-running primetime drama that has ten seasons.
2 Jaimee Foxworth
Judy Winslow was portrayed on the show by Jaimee Foxworth. While she was an interesting character, fans cannot to this day get over how she suddenly was no longer on the show. In reality, Foxworth’s salary demands caused the makers to fire her from the program. After that, she shocked the fanatics by appearing in pornographic movies such as Crave. Foxworth struggled with alcohol and drug addiction at the same time. She supposedly left the adult film business in 2005 and committed to a sober lifestyle. Her predicament and tumble into X-rated films were talked about on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006.
1 Rosetta LeNoire
Rosetta LeNoire, who portrayed Carl’s mother, is called Estelle Winsow. She also happens to be the goddaughter of the legendary tap dancer Bill" Bojangle" Robinson. LeNoire has been in the acting industry for more than 60 years. She got the chance to act alongside Richard Pryor in the all-Black adaptation of Macbeth. Furthermore, she made appearances on famous sitcoms such as Gimme a Break! and Amen, as well as the daytime series Ryan’s Hope and Guiding Light. Sadly, LeNoire is no longer in the world as she departed in 2002 at the age of 90.
