'Family Matters': The Fate of the Famous Actors of the Cult Sitcom People Love to Rewatch

Jo Marie Payton, Orlando Brown, and Reginald VelJohnson | Source: twitter.com/PageSix | Getty Images

It's been 25 years since "Family Matters" went off the air. Since then, its cast members have went on to lead differnet lives while still pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. Take a trip down memory lane and see what the actors have been up to in recent years.

"Family Matters" is an iconic sitcom that first hit television screens in the 1980s. It carried over into the next decade, with nine seasons and a total of 215 episodes, until it went off the air in 1998.

For years, fans grew attached to the "Family Matters" cast because of the show's storyline and the characters' relatability. While many cast members went on to have successful careers, some struggled with some personal issues through the years. Read on to see what's happened in the lives of its cast members, 25 years since the iconic show ended.

1. Orlando Brown (Jerry Jamal "3J" Jameson)

Orlando Brown for "Family Matters," circa 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Before Orlando Brown became a 2000s icon on the Nickelodeon show "That's So Raven," he was first on "Family Matters" for two years from 1996 to 1998. He played the character Jerry Jamal "3J" Jameson, the Winslows' foster son.

Years after finding fame, the child actor had several run-ins with the law. He was arrested in Las Vegas on drug charges, as well as resisting arrest and obstructing an officer at the scene.

During the time of his arrest, the actor also had an active warrant for domestic battery. This was because of a past altercation involving his then-girlfriend and his girlfriend's mother, which led to a previous arrest.

To make matters worse, just a couple of months later, he was arrested once more for breaking into an establishment owned by a friend of his. He was spotted trying to change the locks before police were able to find him on the roof of the building.

For years, he was in and out of trouble until finally seeming to put his life on the right path in 2020. He got into a relationship with a woman named Danielle Brown, and together they share a son named Frankie.

2. Jo Marie Payton (Harriette Winslow)

Chicago police officer Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton), circa 1989 | Source: Getty Images

Jo Marie Payton played Harriette Winslow, the family matriarch. Thanks to her stellar performance, she landed several lead roles in other shows like "Will & Grace" and "Moesha."

Other than a career as an actress, Payton also dove into voice acting. She played Suga Mama Proud on Disney's "The Proud Family" for four years, before taking on the same role in "The Proud Family Movie" in 2005.

In more recent years, the actress has balanced her career and being a family woman. Payton has a beautiful daughter named France, who is her spitting image.

Her most recent credits are for 2019's "The Beach Bum," Disney+'s "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder" which first premiered in 2022, and "Merry Little Switchmas" which premiered on the same year.

In January 2023, Payton showed her activism when she attended Miami's MLK Day Parade as one of its grand marshals. She is proud to celebrate "peace, equality, and fairness," which is why she gladly served as a grand marshal.

3. Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow)

Darius McCrary on 'Family Matters' episode 'Rachel's First Date' aired October 13, 1989 | Source: Getty Images

Darius McCrary played Eddie, the eldest child of the Winslows on the show. He transitioned from child actor to multi-fasceted artist when he juggled voice acting on "Transformers" and "Bionicle: The Legend Reborn," and starring on films like "Saw IV" and "15 Minutes."

For two years from 2009 to 2011, he was tasked to replace Shemar Moore on "The Young and the Restless." His most recent acting credit is on "Monogamy" as the character Connor.

Darius McCrary attends the Television Academy and SAG-AFTRA's 5th annual Dynamic and Diverse Celebration at Saban Media Center on September 12, 2017 in North Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Although McCrary has made a name for himself through the years, he's had some personal struggles with his ex-girlfriend, whom he recently claimed continues to "terrorize" him despite no longer being together. The actor tried to file a restraining order against the woman but failed to get one when he was a no-show at the hearing.

The move came for years after he and his ex-wife Tammy Brawner finalized their divorce. Ultimately, the actor claimed he has not been able to focus on work, as all his efforts were on trying to avoid his ex because he was fearful for his life.

Darius McCrary attends the 2022 Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards at Ambassador Auditorium on October 29, 2022 in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

4. Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Winslow)

Kellie Shanygne Williams on 'Family Matters' circa 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Kellie Shanygne Williams' great acting as Laura, the Winslows' daughter, easily landed her more acting projects after the show ended. She went on to star on "What About Joan?" and transitioned to appearing on films like Usher's "In The Mix" and "Steppin: The Movie."

More than her career in the industry, Williams is a proud wife to a former US army reservist named Hannibal Jackson. Together, they share two children, daughter Hannah born in 2010, and son John born two years later.

In recent years, Williams reunited with some of her "Family Matters" co-stars. She starred on the Christmas movie "Carolina" in 2000, where she appeared alongside Darius McCrary, who was her on-screen brother on the sitcom.

In 2022, she appeared in another Christmas movie, this time on "Merry Little Switchmas," where she acted alongside her former on-screen mom, Jo Marie Payton.

Kellie Shanygne Williams visits the Hulu Badgeholder Lounge during the ATX Television Festival at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin on June 8, 2018 in Austin, Texas. | Source: Getty Images

5. Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow)

Richie (Bryton McClure), Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth) on 'Family Matters' | Source: Getty Images

Before landing a role on "Family Matters" as police officer Carl Winslow, Reginald VelJohnson first appeared on "Die Hard" as an LAPD sergeant. Playing a cop was no stress for him, and he successfully portrayed the role of Carl for nine seasons.

After "Family Matters," VelJohnson appeared on the action shows "CSI," and "The Equalizer," and pop culture classics "That's So Raven," and "Will & Grace." His most recent acting feature was on "The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee," where he starred alongside Olivia Newton-John. It was the actress' last film before she passed away in 2022.

Reginald VelJohnson arrives at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre on April 19, 2009 in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

VelJohnson is proud to be a part of something as iconic as "Family Matters." The show is still available for viewing in several platforms, and there was a 400% increase in viewership in 2020. It was watched for 11.4 billion minutes in total.

According to VelJohnson, he believes the rise is due to people still relating to the series. He notes that even though it's been years since the show ended, people still recognize him as Carl Winslow whenever he's out on the street, and they never fail to mention how much they love the series.

Reginald VelJohnson attends the Amas Musical Theatre 40th Anniversary celebration and benefit gala at Lighthouse International on March 30, 2009 in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images

6. Jaleel White (Steve Urkel)

Jaleel White as Steve Urkel on 'Family Matters' circa 1993 | Source: Getty Images

There is no "Family Matters" without Steve Urkel, the Winslow family's trouble-making next-door neighbor. Jaleel White did such a great job starring as the pesky little boy who always wreaked havoc, that instead of only being a guest on the show, he became a series regular.

While his role was well received by producers and fans alike, the actor admits it wasn't the same for his co-stars. White claimed he never felt welcomed by the cast of the show, especially since he wasn't supposed to be a main character in the first place.

Jaleel White as Steve Urkel on 'Family Matters' circa 1990 | Source: Getty Images

White's feelings towards his co-stars are no secret. Through the years, he let them know how he felt, and it's something he no longer feels he needs to discuss. The actor shared his thoughts on this, saying:

"I didn't see how I was stepping on anybody's toes, I was taking anybody's shine. It's very important that I say this: I was not very well welcomed to the cast at all, okay?"

He name-dropped three particular adults on the show, who gave him a hard time: Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson, and Telma Hopkins. Ultimately, the way they treated White rubbed off on other child stars like Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary, and Jaimee Foxworth, as they too began showing coldness towards White on the set.

By season 3, all of this changed, and the cast ultimately became a family. White is glad to have found brothers and sisters in his fellow child stars, and also forged a good relationship with VelJohnson.

Following White's iconic role as Urkel, he starred on "Grown-Ups," "Boston Legal," and "Dreamgirls." He also ventured into voice acting like many of his other co-stars, landing the lead role of the character Sonic in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" franchise.

Aside from his acting roles, White became a contestant o "Dancing With the Stars" in 2012, where he finished in seventh place. His most recent acting credits were on "The 15:17 to Paris" in 2018 and "Hustle" in 2022.

White is also a proud father to a daughter named Samaya, who is extremely close to him. He welcomed her in 2009 with his ex-girlfriend, Bridget Hardy.

The "Family Matters" cast reunited in 2017, and all were vocal about their interest in reprising their roles if given the chance. White used to say that he never wanted to play Steve Urkel again, but after the reunion, even he was open to the idea of reprising his role.

Ultimately, Telma Hopkins noted that no matter how much time had passed, the chemistry between the cast members remains great. ""There's just something really magical about this cast and the real feelings that are here. It wasn't just for the screen. Family really did matter and still does," she said.

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