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. He assumed Henry had done research to know a bit more about him, so hed know what to say. Telma Hopkins played Rachel Crawford, Harriet Winslows sister and aunt to her kids, Eddie, Laura and Judy. 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. I must admit that I understand Jaleels Googling suspicions about psychic medium, Tyler Henry. She was only 33 at the time. His character was described as totally dim-witted, and he often annoyed Steve Urkel by saying the silliest things. After guest spots in shows like "Sanford and Son" and "Good Times," he landed his breakout role as Detective Harris in "Barney Miller." Hemsley made the sitcom show family memorable when he got a chance as a guest cast and Carl's obnoxious boss, Captain Marion Savage. But it took more than one character to make this show a hit, and after nine seasons, America was entertained by dozens of talented actors who stepped onto the set and into the Winslows' living room. Cherie Johnson played Maxine Johnson who was Lauras best friend, but was sometimes portrayed as a bad influence as a result of her neglectful parents. She was my old co-star from Family Matters and she died from stomach cancer quickly. She was known for her singing voice, her eccentric hats and how driven she was to become an entrepreneur. Carl was seriously irritated by his pesky neighbor Urkel and his annoying antics. All rights reserved. A year after Family Matters ended, LeNoire guest-starred as a nurse on the TV series Cosby in 1998. Though his character, often referred to as "Booger" by character Willona, was meant to be an antagonist, Bookman soon became a fan favorite and Brown would always be remembered for this role. In the season 2 episode, "Flash Pants," Mekka plays Charlie, a transfer who competes against Carl in a dance contest. Still baffled, Jaleel went on to share more details about Michelle. The Winslow couple's children would complete the would-be new sitcom's main cast: Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura Lee (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and Judy (Valerie Jones in the first season and Jaimee Foxworth in the second to fifth seasons before she was eventually written off from the show). Maxine always tried to get Laura to do the wrong thing, but she eventually stopped doing that once she and Waldo started dating. She was 90 years old at the time, and she left behind an impressive body of work in television, film, music, and theater. Family Matters attracted a lot of cast members but this article will feature some of the cast members who died in real life. This material may not be reproduced without permission. 'In Living Color' Cast: Where Are They Now? You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The show was filled with fond memories that most fans will probably never forget. Michelle Thomas dies of cancer at 29, CBS Website, Dec. 1998. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; The death is being investigated as a suicide. On March 17, 2002, LeNoire died from complications from diabetes. Al Powell in the 1988 film Die Hard. Actors From the movie Friday who have lost their lives. His final TV spot was "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in 2014. The Cast of Family Matters. . Naya Rivera was a child star when she appeared in Family Matters as Gwendolyn, a young child who asked Urkel, of all people, for love advice. Family Matters was a popular sitcom of the 90's and was a key part of ABC's TGIF lineup. Rumor has it that the character was removed because of budget issues. She underwent surgery to remove a tumor in 1998 and returned home to her family to recover. But Waldos IQ, or lack thereof, turned him into one of the shows most lovable characters. 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. In an interview with E! "Did I do that?" Per The Guardian, Rosetta LeNoire was born in Hell's Kitchen, New York, in 1911. But Jaleel wasn't biting just yet. She appeared in the show as Gwendolyn and was popularly known as the young child who asked Urkel for love advice. Of course, Thomas was much nicer than her on-screen persona. The series centered around the Winslows, a middle-class African-American family. Actor Natalie Desselle -Reid, known for her roles in " Madea 's Big Happy Family," "Eve" and "B*A*P*S*," died Monday at the age of 53. [11] VelJohnson has made guest appearances in several TV shows, including The Equalizer, Diagnosis: Murder, Twice in a Lifetime, Will & Grace, Monk, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Eve, Crossing Jordan, The Parkers, That's So Raven, and Bones. 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. She has been away from the entertainment world since 2011, and many have wondered where she is now. Following a childhood rickets diagnosis that put her in leg braces for some time, LeNoire took up dance and musical theater. Watch the shocking reveal in the clip above! Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. tweetedGloria Estefan. One of the cornerstones of ABC's TGIF lineup, Family Matters ran from 1989-1997 and spawned at least one of the '90s most indelible catchphrases. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. He started out in the mid-1980s getting bit parts, usually as a white-collar guy. In 1998, Michelle passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. Thomas mother: Phynjuar Thomas Actresses American Women Height: 5'0" (152 cm ), 5'0" Females Died on: December 22, 1998 place of death: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York City: Boston Cause of Death: Cancer Family Matters. He diedon March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. He replaced twin actors Joseph and Julius Wright, who alternated in the infant role during the show's first year. Per USA Today, years later it was discovered he suffered from CTE, a brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. 1979-present. Throughoutthe 90s, Family Mattersdominated Friday nights on ABC. Her character was witty, sassy, smart and pretty powerful, much like her mother, Harriette. ABC/Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images. On December 22, 1998, she passed away, surrounded by friends and family in New York City, including her then long-time boyfriend/ Cosby Show actor, Malcolm Jamal Warner ("Theo"). The cast of "Family Matters" (Warner Bros. Television) On Sept. 22, 1989, "Family Matters" debuted on ABC with the pilot "The Mama Who Came to Dinner" as To Be or Not to Be (Part 1) To Be or Not to Be (Part 2) We're Going to Disney World (Part 1) Bryton Eric McClure. (White is also listed as the movie's producer.). If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform But Jaleel wouldnt give in. And now, she is set to reprise her role again in the upcoming Punky Brewster" sequel series. Townsend has remained active in Hollywood since moving on from Family Matters. She appeared as Candace in the TV series Stuck With You in 2020. Per NPR, he was an activist and member of the board of directors for Los Angeles' AL Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. Though she spent plenty of time onscreen in her music videos and she starred in the 1978 musical comedy "Thank God it's Friday," Summer wasn't making any moves toward a career in films or television. Cherie Johnson from Family Matters has returned to her family sitcom roots after a career shift ABC, Peacock/YouTube Cherie Johnson was no stranger to television when she was cast as Laura Winslow's best friend, Maxine, on "Family Matters" the actress had also enjoyed great success as Punky Brewster's best friend on the eponymous show. Between 1994 and 1995, Landers appeared as Larry Pinkerton in 18 episodes of "The George Carlin Show." Although it seemed like Urkel and Myra were two peas in a pod whod live happily ever after, sadly, life didnt pan out the way most would have expected for the beloved Michelle Thomas. Michelle Thomas is another cast member from the show Family Matters that has passed away. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. In 2021, VelJohnson voiced Principal Winslow in the animated adaptation of the comic Invincible. 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. It gives me joy that you dont know who I am. Then Jaleel broke down. Unsurprisingly, Rivera's stardom continued into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. Unfortunately in 2012, Hemsley succumbed to heart complication at the age of 74. But they have been an essential function of some of the most iconic family units in small-screen comedies. Per The Guardian, five-time Grammy winner and queen of disco Donna Summer went from church choir singer to musical theater performer to music superstar who put out hit albums like "Bad Girls" and "Love to Love You baby." Actress Natalie Desselle Reid, who starred in the 1997 film "B.A.P.S." and played Janie Egins in the 2003-2006 sitcom "Eve," died Monday. On May 15, 2020, Willard died of natural causes at the age of 86. Glass toldPop Goes the Culture TV that another actor, Rod Perry, had the role in the pilot but was picked up by another show, leaving an opening. It seemed there was no limit to her talent, no height her star couldn't reach. [14] VelJohnson also voices several minor characters in the series. She often portrayed the character as a tough mom with a witty sense of humor, but was also a no-nonsense wife to her husband, Carl. VelJohnson was born Reginald Johnson on August 16, 1952, in the Queens borough of New York City, the son of Eva, a nurses aid, and Dan, a hospital attendant. Like many actors of his time, he started on the stage in the 1950s. He began his career back in the 1950s. Audiences fondly remember these characters and the actors who portrayed them. After her TGIF run, she played Lillian Roanoke in Mike Myers' 2008 film The Love Guru, and most recently she acted as Freya in 2021's The Matrix Resurrections. Jaleel seemed to then believe Henry, based on what happened next: Dont worry about that part. The Stars of That '70s Show: Where Are They Now? 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. That adorably sweet smile and natural acting ability garnered her more roles on shows like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Baywatch.". Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. He has starred in Fresh Prince Of Bel-air and he was popularly known for his character in the sitcom The Jeffersons. Darius McCrary played Eddie Winslow, the handsome, eldest brother to Laura and Judy and cousin to Richie. Soon Brown found himself garnering role after role on TV shows like, "Maude," "Chico and the Man," and in 1975 was cast in Season 2 of "Good Times" in the role of Nathan Bookman, the super for the building in the projects that the Evans family lived in. 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. Find out the latest on Jaleel White, Jo Marie Payton, and more. It was all a send-up, though. 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. Youve got to be Googling stuff. After appearing in all 8 seasons, Mekka went on to a myriad of guest roles in both movies and series, including two different characters on "Family Matters." Over the years, fans watched him grow up until the series ended in 1998. Willard went to two military institutes before serving in the US army and being stationed in Germany. The cast of 'Family Matters' has largely continued to work in the industry after the show ended in 1998. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. He was later found asleep in the boat and had reported to authorities that he and his mother had gone swimming but instead of getting in the boat she slipped under the water. Then: James start playing Richie Crawford, Rachel's daughter, in the second season of 'Family Matters,' when the character miraculously aged from an infant to a three-year-old. The Cast of 'Shameless' : Where Are They Now? Although Jaleel has been out of the public eye for a while, he is alive and well. over and got the girl of his dreams. Apparently, Miller had seen an early screening of "Die Hard" and thought he'd be perfect for the show. Following the adventures of the Winslow family (and their friends and neighbors), the sitcom starred (pictured from left in this 1992 photo) Bryton James, Telma Hopkins, Reginald VelJohnson, Rosetta Lenoire (she played Estelle "Mother" Winslow, and died in 2002), Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Jaimee Foxworth (who played daughter Judy Winslow but was written out of the show in the middle of season 4 and not mentioned again), Shawn Harrison, Kellie Shangyne Williams and Jaleel White. "I'm looking at what looks like E and then L-L-E is the only way to describe it," Tylershared. But the actress didnt stick with Hollywood. 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. In 2017, VelJohnson took part in a "Family Matters" reunion alongside the rest of the cast. [8] VelJohnson again portrayed Sgt. So, keep reading as we pay tribute to those we lost from the show "Family Matters. She is also famous for her roles as Justine Phillips on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show 1988 to 1990. Carmine Ragusa was the bright-faced, dancing, on-again-off-again boyfriend of Shirley Feeney. In addition to his longtime work on the CBS soap opera, McClure has lent his voice for several animated series including Nickelodeon's Zevo-3, Cartoon Network's Young Justice: Invasion and in Disney+'s 2022 miniseries Tales of the Jedi. September birthday, sudden passing, E-L-L-ENo Google?. One of his earliest television roles was, of course, the one that would forever brand him as "The Big Ragoo." Jaleel White, who portrayed Steve Urkel on the television sitcom "Family Matters," committed suicide in 2006. Im looking at what looks like E and then L-L-E is the only way to describe it, Tylershared. "Monsters" then took advantage of this power vacuum and began their hunt.Now the races that supposedly made war against the world have become peacefulmostly.