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!['Family Matters']()
From 1989 to 1998 kids sat down on Friday evenings to watch this Emmy-award winning sitcom. A spin-off of ‘Perfect Strangers,’ the series centered on the Winslow family of Chicago. The show’s breakout character, Steve Urkel, (played by Jaleel White) was America’s favorite nerdy neighbor. Nine seasons later, ‘Family Matters’ became the second longest-running African American TV sitcom, after ‘The Jeffersons.’![Jaleel White Now]()
After ‘Family Matters,’ the actor had a hard time escaping his Steve Urkel persona, but in more recent years has appeared in films like ‘Dreamgirls’ and TV shows like ‘Grown Ups’ and ‘Psych’ (at left). He’s voiced Sonic the Hedgehog in three animated series and written for TV (including ‘Family Matters’). White, now 32, graduated from UCLA film school in 2001.![Reginald VelJohnson Then]()
VelJohnson is known for playing police officers in movies and television, especially his most famous role, that of short-tempered Carl Winslow. The actor played cops in ‘Die Hard’ (1988) and ‘Turner and Hooch’ (1989) among other projects. The only cast member to appear in every episode, ‘Carl’ was at the center of ‘Family Matters.’![Reginald VelJohnson Now]()
Now 57, VelJohnson has done mostly theater work since ‘Family Matters,’ but has appeared on TV shows like ‘That’s So Raven,’ ‘Will & Grace,’ and, most recently, ‘Chuck.’ The actor also has a series of critically-acclaimed short stories, ‘Division Street,’ under his belt. (REUTERS)![JoMarie Payton Then]()
Payton’s role as Hariette Winslow on sitcom ‘Perfect Strangers’ led to the creation of ‘Family Matters.’ Previous to being cast as long-suffering wife Hariette, Payton had small parts in ‘Troop Beverly Hills’ and ‘Silver Spoons.’ Judyann Elder took over the role for the remainder of season nine when Payton left the series.![JoMarie Payton Now]()
Since ‘Family Matters,’ Payton has had a variety of TV roles. From 2001-2005 she voiced Suga Mama Proud for animated series ‘The Proud Family,’ earning a NAACP Image Award. Payton, now 59, had a recurring role on ‘Will & Grace’ during season two and has appeared in ‘7th Heaven,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Reba,’ and ‘The Parkers,’ among other TV shows. She is divorced and has one daughter.![Darius McCrary Then]()
Best known for his role as eldest Winslow child Eddie, McCrary began his career as a child actor. He appeared in films like ‘Big Shots’ and ‘Mississippi Burning’ before being cast as simple yet sweet Eddie Winslow.![Darius McCrary Now]()
Now 33, McCrary has kept busy since ‘Family Matters,’ appearing in projects like ‘Girlfriends,’ ‘Saw VI,’ and ‘The Life and Times of Marcus Felony Brown.’ In 2007 he voiced Jazz in blockbuster flick ‘Transformers.’ The divorced actor appeared in the tabloids when he was accused of assault by his estranged girlfriend, self-proclaimed "Video Vixen" Karrine Steffans. You can see McCrary next in ‘Steppin: The Movie.’ (REUTERS)![Kellie Shanygne Williams Then]()
The Washington D.C. native got her showbiz start as a child model, which led to her playing the sensible, Urkel-besieged Laura Winslow.![Kellie Shanygne Williams Now]()
After ‘Family Matters,’ Williams appeared in series ‘What About Joan,’ ‘Moesha,’ ‘The Parkers,’ and ‘Eve.’ She will appear in ‘Steppin: The Movie’ with former TV brother Darius McCrary. Williams, now 33, often co-hosts the Style Network show ‘Clean House.’ She was married this summer.![Jaimee Foxworth Then]()
Before being cast as youngest child Judy Winslow, Foxworth was a child model and appeared in national TV commercials. After season four of ‘Family Matters,’ "Judy" was written out of the show with no explanation.![Jaimee Foxworth Now]()
After ‘Family Matters,’ Foxworth began starring in pornographic films under the name Crave. She gained media attention last year when she appeared on ‘Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,’ battling substance abuse issues. Foxworth, now 29, welcomed a baby this May and has recently filed assault charges against the child’s father, her ex boyfriend.![Rosetta LeNoire Then]()
Roles in ‘Gimme a Break’ and ‘Amen’ led to ‘Family Matters,’ where LeNoire played the family grandmother, Estelle “Mother” Winslow. Before the show, the theater actor and producer championed the cause of racial equality and founded the AMAS Repertory Theatre Company in NYC.![Rosetta LeNoire 1911-2002]()
After ‘Family Matters, LeNoire appeared in an episode of ‘Cosby.’ She died of diabetes in 2002 while she was living at the Actors’ Fund Nursing and Retirement Home in New Jersey.![Telma Hopkins Then]()
Hopkins began her career as a singer. She was a member of the 70s group Tony Orlando and Dawn, and is the woman who shouts “Shut your mouth!” in the theme song to ‘Shaft.’ Before she was aunt Rachel Crawford on ‘Family Matters,’ Hopkins was familiar to viewers of ‘Bosom Buddies’ and ‘Gimme a Break,’ among other series. In the middle of ‘Family Matters’ run, Hopkins left for her own series, ‘Getting By,’ but it was cancelled and she returned to her role as aunt Rachel.![Telma Hopkins Now]()
Divorced with one son, Hopkins, now 60, appeared on UPN sitcom ‘Half & Half’ from 2002 to 2006. Last year Hopkins appeared in comedy flick ‘The Love Guru’ and starred in the play ‘JD Lawrence’s The Clean Up Woman.’ A film version is reportedly in the works. (AP)![Bryton McClure Then]()
At four years old, McClure was cast as Rachel’s adorable son Richie Crawford.![Bryton McClure Now]()
After ‘Family Matters,’ the child actor appeared in series like ‘Smart Guy’ and did voice work on ‘The Kids from Room 402.’ Now 23, McClure portrays Devon Hamilton on soap opera ‘The Young and the Restless.’ The role has earned him an Emmy and a NAACP Image Award.
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'Family Matters'
