It’s been nearly thirty-four years since the William Bickley and Michael Warren-created American television sitcom, “Family Matters,” debuted on ABC on September 22, 1989. After its debut, the sitcom became the second-longest-running live-action U.S. sitcom.
However, this success is partly due to its predominantly African-American actors and actresses who comprise the “Family Matters” cast. “Family Matters” ran from 1989-1997 and spawned at least one of the ’90s most memorable catchphrases.
The sitcom series revolves around the Winslow family, an African-American middle-class family living in Chicago, Illinois. Although it’s been over three decades since it premiered, the sitcom still tugs at hearts. Here’s what the “Family Matters” cast has been up to in the decades since the show ended.
Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Otis Winslow)
Before appearing in “Family Matters,” Reginald VelJohnson got his big break in 1988 when he played LAPD Sergeant Al Powell in “Die Hard.” One year later, he landed the role of Carl Winslow, another police officer, in the beloved ABC series “Family Matters.”
Following his nine seasons on the show, VelJohnson made guest appearances on several other series, including “The Equalizer.” In addition, he held minor roles in films like “Like Mike” and “You Again” in 2002 and 2010, respectively.
Afterward, he starred in several other movies, including the 2020 Australian comedy “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee,” Olivia Newton-John’s last film before she died in 2022. Although VelJohnson is in his seventies, the actor has never married and has no children.
Jo Marie Payton (Harriette Baines Winslow)
After joining the “Family Matters” cast to play the Winslow family matriarch Harriette, Jo Marie Payton continued her television career with recurring and lead roles on several other primetime shows. Payton acted as Mrs. Freeman, an assistant at Will’s Law on “Will & Grace” season 2. In addition, the actress also starred in Bounce TV’s “Mann & Wife” as Lorraine Mann from 2015 to 2017.
Aside from TV appearances, Payton has a busy voice-acting career. She voiced “The Proud Family” Suga Mama Proud, the unpredictable grandmother of protagonist Penny Proud, on Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005. In addition, the talented actress also lent her voice to “The Proud Family Movie” as Suga Mama in the show’s 2023 Disney+ revival.
Like her career, Payton’s personal life has also been busy, as she has married four times and divorced three times. Payton married Leonard Downs in 2007, and they’ve been together since. She also has a daughter, Chantale France, with her first husband, Marc France.
Darius McCary (Edward “Eddie” Winslow)
Darius McCrary played Eddie, the eldest Winslow child, on all five “Family Matters” seasons and gained fame for his role. However, unlike most child stars, McCary remained in the entertainment scene. After his appearance on the ABC sitcom as a “Family Matters” cast, he provided the voices for Jazz in the original “Transformers” movie and Tarix in the animated film “Bionicle: The Legend Reborn.”
Aside from his voice work, McCrary also appeared in films. However, in 2009, McCrary returned to TV and made several appearances. Aside from the small and big screen, McCrary founded FathersCare, a non-profit organization.
FathersCare is an organization under the McCrary Foundation umbrella, started by his father, aunts, and uncles, also known as The McCrarys. The renowned actor has also married twice, divorced twice, and has three children.
Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Lee Winslow)
Kellie Shanygne Williams is another “Family Matters” cast who rose to prominence for playing Laura Winslow, the seemingly perfect know-it-all daughter of Carl and Harriette. Once the series wrapped, Williams landed a role on another ABC show, “What About Joan?” where she played Alice Adams.
Beyond TV, Williams appeared in Usher’s 2005 crime dramedy “In The Mix” and the 2009 film “Steppin: The Movie.” She married former U.S. Army reservist Hannibal Jackson that same year, and together they welcomed a daughter, Hannah, in 2010 and a son, John, in 2012.
Jaleel White (Steven “Steve” Quincy Urkel)
Jaleel White played the Winslows’ obnoxious, ever-present neighbor Steve Urkel for all nine seasons of “Family Matters.” Although the role was initially meant to be a guest spot, the audience received the suspenders-clad nuisance well. Hence, he continued on the show as a main cast member.
White has appeared in several movies and shows since “Family Matters” ended. Hence, he has many acting credits to his name. White starred in UPN’s “Grown Ups” sitcom and hosted the Syfy competition show “Total Blackout” from 2013 to 2014. In 2017, he played Darryl on the CBS sitcom “Me, Myself & I” alongside Bobby Moynihan.
He was also a contestant on season 14 of “Dancing With the Stars,” placing 8th. In addition, White has also made several film appearances in movies like “Big Fat Liar,” “Dreamgirls,” “Judy Moody, and “The Not Bummer Summer,” and recently in the 2022 film “Hustle” starring Adam Sandler.
Although he is single, White has a daughter, Samaya White, from his relationship with his ex-lover, Bridget Hardy.
Shawn Harrison (Waldo Geraldo Faldo)
Shawn Harrison is another “Family Matters” cast who tugged at the hearts of fans with his role. Harrison played the role of Eddie Winslow’s friend Waldo. After the show, he appeared in several TV series and voiced Timber Wolf in Warner Brothers’ animated adaptation of D.C. Comics’ “Legion of Super-Heroes.”
These and several other actors made up the Family Matters cast and contributed immensely to making it one of the greatest family sitcoms.