While her private life remains pretty much private, Hopkins has kept pretty busy over the years. "This is embarrassing, I don't even recognize you," Tyler tells him. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. Although Jaleel has been out of the public eye for a while, he is alive and well. Content created and supplied by: LawBlessing (via Opera LeNoire's championing of diversity in the arts ultimately led to the prestigious Rosie Award being created in her honor, forever cementing her legacy as one of the all-time greats. LeNoire, who played Mother Winslow on "Family Matters," started with the first episode of the series when her character moved in with the Winslows after the death of her husband. McClure eventually became known as Bryton James, but most soap fans know him as Devon Hamilton on The Young and the Restless. According to IMDB, he has done about 1,104 episodes of the classic soap. Now: Since 2004, James has played Devon . Tragedy struck in 2020 after her body was found in the river after disappearing during a boat trip. The network TV landscape of the 1980s and the 1990s was all about family-oriented sitcoms, with the occasional exception such as Married with Children, which was about a family but courted controversy with its more risque episodes. She had a lot of friends in the music industry. he explained. Adventure Comedy Drama The Winslow family deals with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. Lenoir championed diversity in the arts and ultimately led the prestigious Rosie awards being created in her name. In 2004, McClure scored his next big gig on The Young and the Restless playing Devon Hamilton, a struggling teen who was living on the streets before the Winters family took him in. Per his obituary inThe Hollywood Reporter, Miller's dreams of showbiz came true when he landed his first real gig as assistant to William Self at 20th Century Fox. They got divorced in 2019, and have a daughter together named Zoey. She finished out the series with the rest of the cast and then jumped right over to a recurring role on "The Young and the Restless.". She was popularly known as Mother Winslow on the show and she added some aspect of wisdom within the TV show. Jaleel said before breaking down. This eventually turned into a Broadway career, and sheeven founded her own theater company in 1968 called Amas. In 1994 and 1997, she played Urkel's aunt, Oona Urkel, who according to Urkel is "a little odd." The sitcom starred Reginald Vel Johnson (Carl Winslow), Jo Marie Payton (Harriet Winslow), Darius McCray (Eddie. The series centered around the Winslows, a middle-class African-American family. But many "Family Matters" have not stayed on the small screen and others have sadly passed on. Five-year-old Naya Rivera already had a series ("The Royal Family") under her belt when she was cast in "Family Matters" as Gwendolyn, a new neighbor who had a crush on Richie. The show, centered around a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, was a spin-off of. Actress Kellie Williams Laura Winslow on the series described White as a consummate professional actor. 3 min read In the interview set to air on Sunday, White opens up about his past on the show and also remembers his late co-star, Michelle Thomas In a recent interview,. To make matters worse, her mother fell into a drug habit, leaving the teenager to handle the household finances alone. Family Matters Actors You May Not Know Passed Away. His latest acting role was in the 2019 TV movie Fanatic where he played Officer Hardaway. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Lenoir died in 2002, just four years after the final season of Family Matters was aired. She spent her remaining years dealing with health-related complications caused by diabetes. We loved him so very much.". Kellie Williams - Carl Winslow's smart-aleck daughter and object of Steve Urkel's affections was portrayed by Kellie Williams. Born in 1952 to an Armenian father and an Italian mother, Eddie Mekka told Broadway.comhegot the performing bug when he was asked to be the emcee of their variety school, so of course his next stop was the stage. December 28, 1998. }); Copyright 2015 . Carry continued acting in the 1990s and through early 2000, garnering roles in such shows as "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr," "Murphy Brown," and "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place." "Everyone adored him," she said. The cast of 'Family Matters' has largely continued to work in the industry after the show ended in 1998. Actor Matt Landers was in dozens of television shows and 20 motion pictures over his thirty-year career in show business. After leaving the series, Foxworth grew up struggling with mental health and controlled substance issues. It is said that 300 years ago, in the year Bedlam, Divine Magic died. [9] He came from New York to California to film it for nine months, which was so long that he just ended up residing in California permanently thereafter. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reginald_VelJohnson&oldid=1137928866, Episodes: "Face Lift" and "Gentle, Gentle", Episode: "11 Cut to 10 & 10 Directors Complete", Principal/Superintendent Cornelius Strickland, Episode: "McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century", Episode: "Audrey Hepburn and a Jalepeo Pepper", Denotes films that have not yet been released, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 03:24. A genuinely good guy and purveyor of cheer whenever things got cheerless.". Throughout the 90's, Family Matters dominated Friday nights on ABC.The show was filled with fond memories that most fans will probably never forget. I must admit that I understand Jaleels Googling suspicions about psychic medium, Tyler Henry. Desselle-Reid's manager, Dolores Robinson, confirmed . Portrayed by Jaimee Foxworth, the precocious youngest member of the family was adorable and a great way to reel in younger viewers. Luckily, Tyler's pop culture knowledge isn't very vast. He has starred in Fresh Prince Of Bel-air and he was popularly known for his character in the sitcom The Jeffersons. Peter Dennis is another cast member from Family Matters that has passed away in real life. Elsewhere and JAG. Tom Poston popularly known as Mr Lonely by fans of the family sitcom show Family Matters, is another actor that has passed away in real life. The Captain wasn't the most popular character, presumably because of his tendency to cheat at golf and make life difficult for Carl. In 1952 comedian and actor Reginal VelJohnson was born! Shawn Harrison followed his role as Eddie Winslow's friend Waldo on Family Matters with appearances on shows INCLUDING Moesha and Girlfriends. Carl Winslow - Family Matters. "Family Matters" was a popular American television sitcom that aired nine seasons from 1989 to 1997. over and got the girl of his dreams. She died on December 26, 1998, surrounded by her family as well as former boyfriend Malcom-Jamal Warner with whom she had remained close friends, according toPeople. Glass' decades-long acting career also included a hilarious stint as Ross Gellar's divorce lawyer on "Friends" in 1999. This is crazy. Creators William Bickley Robert L. Boyett Thomas L. Miller Stars Reginald VelJohnson Jaleel White Kellie Shanygne Williams See production, box office & company info Watch on HBO Max She was 78 years old at the time, but she had no interest in letting her career wind down. The Cast of 'Shameless' : Where Are They Now? DreamFlix TV is a collaboration between "Family Matters" cast members JoMarie Payton, Kellie Shanygne Williams and Darius McCary, along with entertainment industry veterans, Ervin Williams, ShahRon Vaulx and producer Peggy . That's why it must have been quite a treat when Summer showed up in not one but two episodes of "Family Matters." It was all a send-up, though. One year later, her ex husband, Ryan Dorsey, said in anInstagram post, "Fly high, Rest In Peace, knowing he's doing okhe's being raised right, and he's got a lot of family and people around him that love him, and you. At the time of this writing, no further details are available regarding Brown's death. As iconic character actor Julius Carry recalled to the Chicago Tribune in 1990, he got into show business as a teen when he joined a touring play group called the Spartan Players. Landers continued to act, including a recurring role on "Days of Our Lives," until 2010, appearing last on "Law and Order." Powell in the GameCube video game title, Die Hard: Vendetta, in 2002. Her character was witty, sassy, smart and pretty powerful, much like her mother, Harriette. Find out the latest on Jaleel White, Jo Marie Payton, and more. Thomas joined the cast team later in the fourth season and appeared in several seasons as Steve Urkel's lover Myra Monkhouse. The death is being investigated as a suicide. In addition to Family Matters, Jenner had a notable role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, portraying Starfleet Admiral William Ross in 12 episodes of the beloved sci-fi series. Family Matters - Full Cast & Crew 51 Metascore 1989 -2021 9 Seasons CBS Family, Comedy TVG Watchlist Where to Watch A suburban Chicago family is pestered by nerdy, nosy neighbor Steve Urkel. Willard went to two military institutes before serving in the US army and being stationed in Germany. One year later, he landed the role of Carl Winslow, another police officer, in the beloved ABC series Family Matters. She also completed the project The Friend Zone and is currently working on A Road to Daisies and Dandelions," which is currently in post-production. Of course, most Family Matters fans remember "Steve Urkel's" fascination with "Laura Winslow" and how his special bond with the 'Winslow family' was one of the most memorable dynamics of the show. One of the first additions to the "Family Matters" cast was Bryton McClure, who played the role of Richie Crawford, the son of Rachel Crawford. His early career included a brief appearance in Ghostbusters (1984) as a municipal corrections officer, and an appearance in Crocodile Dundee (1986) as a limo driver. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! Michelle Thomas dies of cancer at 29, CBS Website, Dec. 1998. May Michelle Thomas continue to rest peacefully. ", a popular catchphrase from the show. He was able to make it big in the show with his silly antics. [1] His father left the family, which included Reginald's brother Barry,[2] when Johnson was 13 years old. In July 24, 2012,Sherman Hemsley died of a lung mass. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. The Cast of 'Outer Banks' : Everything to Know, Our Favorite (Underrated!) He was 29 years old. Over the years, fans watched him grow up until the series ended in 1998. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. What was touching was not so much that Henry supposedly cosmically connected with Michelle in the afterlife, it was because of the evident connection and pain Jaleel still feels to this day, after losing his beautiful friend/co-worker, Michelle Thomas. Hemsley continued his reign on TV, garnering guest spots on shows like, "Designing Women," "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," and 3 episodes of "Family Matters," in which he played the wise-cracking Captain Savage who has an instant connection to Urkel and cheats at golf, much to Mr. Winslow's dismay. The actor is set to do it again in Cartoon Network's 2023 TV film Did I Do That to the Holidays? Image Via Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. The former TGIF star has garnered widespread acclaim for his performance on the show: he's a two-time Emmy winner and a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award. However, as Variety noted, Jenner, passed away in 2016 at the age of 75 following a long battle with leukemia. His comedic talent on shows "Modern Family" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" earned him multiple Emmy noms, and he was a fixture of Christopher Guest's mockumentary troupe. Maxine always tried to get Laura to do the wrong thing, but she eventually stopped doing that once she and Waldo started dating. "I didn't realize I was going to see . Bryton Eric McClure. [14] VelJohnson also voices several minor characters in the series. Mekka continued getting roles in TV and movies, including small ones in 1992's "A League of Their Own" and 2006's "Dreamgirls." joke. The classic TGIF sitcom Family Matters had a consistent main cast until mom Harriette Winslow was abruptly recast during the final season. He was 74. Telma Hopkins played Rachel Crawford, Harriet Winslows sister and aunt to her kids, Eddie, Laura and Judy. In 1992, Carry appeared in an episode of "Family Matters" in which played Harriet's tall, handsome piano teacher that Carl thinks twice about leaving her alone with. Youve got to be Googling stuff. Under that theory, the "news account" of the former child star's suicide serves as the set-up for that line. nerdy comedic neighbor of the Winslows who was always trying and failing to win teacher in Urkel's swim class. Shes also working on other projects like The Regiment and South Beacon Hill. But aside from acting, shes also a producer, an author and a certified nutritionist who co-owns the health and beauty company Keeping It All Natural. The show was filled with fond memories that most fans will probably never forget. Well talk about that part later. White, an only child, is survived by "cousins, aunts, uncles, and wonderful friends," Bickley said. VelJohnson is known for playing police officers in films and on television. tweetedGloria Estefan. LeNoire passed away in 2002, four years after the final season of Family Matters originally aired. He was also the Winslow childrens adorable youngest cousin. Per BlackPast, Sherman Hemsley dropped out of school in the tenth grade to join the air force and served four years in Japan and Korea. May Michelle Thomas continue to rest peacefully. All we know is we have no record of prayers being answered. His character was described as totally dim-witted, and he often annoyed Steve Urkel by saying the silliest things. Jo Marie Payton played the family's matriarch, Harriette Winslow. You've got to be Googling stuff. Jaimee Foxworth played Judy Winslow, Carl and Harriettes youngest daughter. But Jaleel wouldnt give in. Carl was seriously irritated by his pesky neighbor Urkel and his annoying antics. Born Jaleel Ahmad White, he began his career at the age of three acting in television commercials, before landing guest spots on shows such as "The Jeffersons" and "Mr. White shed tears as he remembered actress Michelle Thomas, who played Myra, the girlfriend of his nerdy character, Steve Urkel, on his hit '90s sitcom. Jaleel White played Steve Urkel, the Unsurprisingly, Rivera's stardom continued into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. Per NPR, he was an activist and member of the board of directors for Los Angeles' AL Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. That said, the TGIF alumnus does have a sizable number of acting credits since his Family Matters days. She had a regular role in the series Give Me A Break and Amen. The role was initially only meant to be a guest spot, but the audience received the suspenders-clad nuisance so well in the first season that he continued on the show as a main cast member. His most notable on screen part was in the Bruce Willis blockbuster film "Die Hard," in which he played Captain Mitchell, an officer on scene who directs the SWAT team during the hostage situation. The cause of death at the time had been ruled acute drug intoxication and other conditions. Jaleel sincerely misses Michelle Thomas,which is evident in his emotional video, check it out below. "Jaleel was an uncommonly good man, an exceptional role model and a great comedic actor," said William Bickley, who created the series, and Thomas L. Miller, one of the executive producers, in a joint statement. Unfortunately, Payton left the series halfway through the final season, and actress Judyann Elder took over the role. He's made. Brown's last role came in 2013. Mekka continued working until his last credit in 2018, then a few short years later, Mekka died on November 27, 2021, at the age of 79. Her former boyfriend, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, was at her side. Michelle Thomas (September 23, 1968 - December 22, 1998) was an American actress and comedian who portrays the role of Myra Monkhouse as Steve Urkel's (Jaleel White) girlfriend on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters from 1993 to 1998. He spent much of the '80s in guest roles on television shows including recurring parts in "Bay City Blues" and "The New Leave It to Beaver," but it was his 1985 appearance in the classic martial arts spoof film "The Last Dragon" as Sho'Nuff, the villain in the movie, that would forever cement him a place in Hollywood history. Reginald VelJohnson played Carl Winslow, the familys patriarch who made a living as a cop and was always annoyed by his nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. A still shocked Jaleel wrestled with the information, before finally accepting it. She was only 33 at the time. "Few singers have impacted music & the world like Donna Summer!" He was also a contestant on season 14 of Dancing with the Stars, placing 8th. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. In my opinion, Google appears to be Henrys best friend, because everything he told Jaleelabout Michelleis easily verifiable on Googlebut I digress. The Family Matters character who is famous for walking up the stairs in Season 4 never to come back down again ( until that was debunked by YouTuber Vee Infuso) is the Winslow's youngest. Speaking to PEOPLE, White explained that he wanted to be known as "a versatile actor.". He began his career back in the 1950s. He went on to star in UPN's sitcom Grown Ups and hosted the Syfy competition show Total Blackout from 2013 to 2014. She flew home to spend Thanksgiving with family, but unfortunately, that was her last holiday alive. After "Barney Miller," he continued to secure role after role, including portraying an actor named Buddy Goodrich in a 1989 episode of "Family Matters." Come on, man. Other famed personages scuttlebutt had pushing up daisies even as they themselves continued to traverse this mortal coil include William Hung of "American Idol" fame, Subway pitchman >Jared Fogel, children's television host Steve Burns of "Blue's Clues", Jon Heder of "Napoleon Dynamite," and even the dog from the Taco Bell commercials. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. As a three-year-old in real life, it was his screen debut. Steve was a complete misfit, but he was hilarious, endearing, and a complete fixture as part of the cast of 'Family Matters.' In fact, the character's entrance onto the show saved it from being canceled. Family Matters was one of the most popular sitcoms during the 90s. You've got to be Googling this stuff before you come in here." Before Captain Savage became Carl's boss at the Chicago Police Department, the patriarch of the Winslow gang served under Lieutenant Lou Murtaugh, played by Barry Jenner.