Family Matters was one of the most popular sitcoms during the 90s. He diedon March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. 'Family Matters' Jaleel White Sadly Breaks Down Over Deceased Co-star Per NPR, he was an activist and member of the board of directors for Los Angeles' AL Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. Then in 1995, Brown appeared in a season 6 episode of "Family Matters" as the character Pastor Fuller, who asks Mr. and Mrs. Winslow to counsel a couple about marriage. Reginald VelJohnson (born Reginald Johnson; August 16, 1952) is an American actor. Sadly, she passed away that same year of Shes reportedly filming the movies Heart of a Champion and Conundrum: Secrets Among Friends.. 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. 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. Bryton McClure played Richie Crawford, the son of Telma Hopkins character, Rachel. To make matters worse, her mother fell into a drug habit, leaving the teenager to handle the household finances alone. And now, she is set to reprise her role again in the upcoming Punky Brewster" sequel series. December 28, 1998. Her birthday is September 23, 1968,"Jaleel revealed. Quick Facts Also Known As: Michelle Doris Thomas Died At Age: 30 Family: father: Dennis D.T. "It's the end of an era.". Menteer also popped up in variety shows like "The Dean Martin Show" and "The Carol Burnett Show" before he began his career behind the camera. She was only 33 at the time. White was pronounced dead on arrival after. 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. 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. Michelle Thomas, the late actress who played Myra on Family Matters The show, centered around a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, was a spin-off of. Read: Actors From the movie Friday who have lost their lives. Their mother subsequently married John Reilly. 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,. Desselle-Reid's manager, Dolores Robinson . 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. By LawBlessing (self media writer) | 1 year ago. White has also made several film appearances in movies like Big Fat Liar, Dreamgirls, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer and recently in 2022's Hustle starring Adam Sandler. 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. She was 90 years old at the time, and she left behind an impressive body of work in television, film, music, and theater. She is also famous for her roles as Justine Phillips on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show 1988 to 1990. Poston was a jack of all talents. The Cast of Family Matters: Where Are They Now? - People Jo Marie Payton played the family's matriarch, Harriette Winslow. Landers passed away on March 12, 2015, at the age of 62 from cancer. In 1998, Michelle passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. 'Family Matters' Alum Jo Marie Payton Claims Jaleel White Tried to 'Physically Fight' Her on Set, Reginald VelJohnson Once Walked Out on 'Family Matters' over the 'Challenge' of Working with Teens. 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. The Cast of Family Matters. Family Matters was a popular sitcom of the 90's and was a key part of ABC's TGIF lineup. Lenoir was a broadway star working as an actress, producer and even casting agent. News ), 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. He started out in the mid-1980s getting bit parts, usually as a white-collar guy. Jaleel White, who portrayed Steve Urkel on the television sitcom "Family Matters," committed suicide in 2006. In my opinion, Google appears to be Henrys best friend, because everything he told Jaleelabout Michelleis easily verifiable on Googlebut I digress. 8 actors from Family Matters who have passed on - Opera News Willard went to two military institutes before serving in the US army and being stationed in Germany. 2023 E! She currently lives in Los Angeles and is the mother a 10 year-old son, Michael Douglas Shaw, Jr. 9. The show, centered around a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, was a spin-off of the sitcom "Perfect Strangers," in which the Winslows were introduced Harriette as an elevator operator and husband Carl a police officer. Whatever Happened To The Cast Of Family Matters? - TheList _taboola.push({ One year later, he landed the role of Carl Winslow, another police officer, in the beloved ABC series Family Matters. Urkel iseven though the basis of his show is centered around featuring well known celebs: This is embarrassing, I dont even recognize you, Tyler statedto Jaleel. When Donna Summer died of lung cancer on May 17, 2012, many singers and industry professionals mourned her, some attending her service, others voicing their feelings on social media. 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. Maxine always tried to get Laura to do the wrong thing, but she eventually stopped doing that once she and Waldo started dating. The sitcom starred Reginald Vel Johnson (Carl Winslow), Jo Marie Payton (Harriet Winslow), Darius McCray (Eddie. Family Matters. Michelle Thomas - Bio, Facts, Family Life of Actress A spinoff of the hit '80s sitcom Perfect Strangers, Family Matters began life as a modest hit before morphing into one of the most successful comedies on the small screen at the time. Barry played Carl's buffoonish boss, Lieutenant Lou Murtaugh. 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. While the rest of his career primarily consisted of supporting roles, he continued to act until 2011, making appearances in shows like Family Guy and Tyler Perry's House of Payne. 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. So he's staying fresh and busy as ever, even at 67 years old. He'll be missed and remembered every day by his many, many friends," they said. Beyond TV, Williams appeared in Usher's 2005 crime-dramedy In The Mix and in the 2009 film Steppin: The Movie. She has been away from the entertainment world since 2011, and many have wondered where she is now. "September birthday, sudden passing, E-L-L-ENo Google?". The show, a spinoff of Jo Marie Payton's "Perfect Strangers" character Harriette Winslow, has left us with fond memories of The Urkel, the sweet sounds of the accordion and the epitome of tortoise shell hipster glasses. Lenoir died in 2002, just four years after the final season of Family Matters was aired. "She was my old co-star from Family Matters and she died of stomach cancer quickly, White said. He remained on the soap until 2011, then continued on the small screen in the FX sitcom Anger Management. Luckily, Tyler's pop culture knowledge isn't very vast. What The Cast Of Family Matters Looks Like Today His work ranged from Avengers to Sideways. 'In Living Color' Cast: Where Are They Now? She was only 33 years old. By Variety. The actress could also be seen starring in Bounce TV's Mann & Wife as Lorraine Mann from 2015 to 2017. Known for. Jaleel recently appeared on the show,Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry. Family Matters (TV Series 1989-1998) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb In 2021, VelJohnson voiced Principal Winslow in the animated adaptation of the comic Invincible. It has nine seasons with a total of 215 episodes. So much so that Jaleel was brought to tears. Although the sitcom achieved decent ratings in its first season, it wasn't until the character of Steve Urkel, portrayed by Jaleel White, was introduced that the show really took off. The Stars of That '70s Show: Where Are They Now? Jaleel said before breaking down. 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. Her last role was in Aide-de-Camp" in 2011. Michelle Thomas played Myra Monkhouse, who was introduced as a love interest for Urkel. Natalie Desselle Reid, star of 1997 film 'B.A.P.S.,' dead at 53 She wasnt a series regular but she made quite an impression on audiences. In the spring of 1998, she underwent surgery to have the lemon-sized tumor removed shortly before she landed a role on The Young and The Restless. He was survived by his wife and two children. 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. NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was born in 1945 in Texas. Where is Kellie Shanygne Williams now? Wiki, net worth. Died? ABC/Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images. On Will & Grace's second season, Payton was Mrs. Freeman, an assistant at Will's law firm. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. Kellie shaygne Williams also died. Per USA Today, years later it was discovered he suffered from CTE, a brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. Kellie Shanygne Williams made her name playing Laura Winslow, the seemingly perfect know-it-all daughter of Carl and Harriette on Family Matters. 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. She had a lot of friends in the music industry. he explained. May Michelle Thomas continue to rest peacefully. (White is also listed as the movie's producer.). She spent her remaining years dealing with health-related complications caused by diabetes. After "Barney Miller," he continued to secure role after role, including portraying an actor named Buddy Goodrich in a 1989 episode of "Family Matters." A Steve Urkel Story. Kellie Shanygne Williams played Laura Winslow, the middle child of the family and the object of Steve Urkels obsession. Chicago Sun-Times. Carl was seriously irritated by his pesky neighbor Urkel and his annoying antics. The quintessential hoax of this ilk is the "Paul is dead" belief attaching to Paul McCartney it began in 1969 and at least among some continues to this day. tweetedGloria Estefan. Speaking to PEOPLE, White explained that he wanted to be known as "a versatile actor.". His final TV spot was "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in 2014. Portrayed by Jaimee Foxworth, the precocious youngest member of the family was adorable and a great way to reel in younger viewers. Shes appeared in the TV series Family Reunion, as Maybelle, and shes voicing a character also named Maybelle for the animated series The Casagrandes, which is a spin-off of 2016s animated show, The Loud House.. You've got to be Googling stuff. Category:Deceased Characters | Family Matters Wiki | Fandom She was also awarded the national medal of arts. Jaleel seemed to then believe Henry, based on what happened next: Dont worry about that part. Her career however was short-lived as she passed away in 1998 at the young age of 30 years after battling with stomach cancer for a while. He went on to form his own production company and eventually signed a deal with Warner Bros. TV predecessor Lorimar Television. Belvedere." }); Copyright 2015 . placement: 'Right Rail Thumbnails', You got to be messing with me, dog. The golden age of sitcoms produced many hilarious shows, but Family Matters stands out from the pack for a couple of reasons. 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. We loved him so very much.". 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. Oscar-winning producer dead at 101. joke. The History of Family Matters | Mental Itch 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. His other popular credits include St. Jaleel White played the Winslows' obnoxious, ever-present neighbor Steve Urkel for all nine seasons of Family Matters. 8 Famous DEAD ACTORS from FAMILY MATTERS (1989 -2021) Come on, man. 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. Her character was witty, sassy, smart and pretty powerful, much like her mother, Harriette. 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. "This is embarrassing, I don't even recognize you," Tyler tells him. She was buried on boxing day, following Muslim rights as she requested. He also joined fellow Family Matters alumni Kellie Williams, Jo Marie Payton and Darius McCrary at the 2022 '90s Con event. So, keep reading as we pay tribute to those we lost from the show "Family Matters. Shes not currently active in Hollywood, but she has stayed pretty busy working on the Kellie Williams Program, a project in Washington, DC, that gives 14 to 20-year-olds a shot at producing their own television shows. Shawn Harrison played Waldo Faldo, who was Eddie Winslows best friend. She flew home to spend Thanksgiving with family, but unfortunately, that was her last holiday alive. 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. [15] He has never married and has no children. David Sutton, in Turner & Hooch (1989). Audiences watched her grow up during the first few seasons. He also appeared in an episode of the show, Mom in 2019. 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. was the wide-eyed humorous pronouncement associated with Steve Urkel, the character's signature catchphrase. However, some of the show's most memorable denizens have sadly passed away since Family Matters came to an end. Jaleel White Tributes 'Family Matters' Star Michelle Thomas - VIBE.com "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. On August 3, 2011, Smith died at the age of 66. "I love these people Every one of them," a teary-eyed VelJohnson stated at the time. 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. From 1986. Tragedy struck in 2020 after her body was found in the river after disappearing during a boat trip. Of course, most Family Matters fans remember Steve Urkels fascination with Laura Winslow and how his special bond with the Winslow family was one of the most memorable dynamics of the show. 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 also got a role in the sitcoms show Young And Restless as Callie Rogers and as Justine Phillips in The Cosby Show. Between 1994 and 1995, Landers appeared as Larry Pinkerton in 18 episodes of "The George Carlin Show." Kellie Shanygne Williams is a now retired American actress, best known to the world as Laura Lee Winslow in the TV family comedy-drama series "Family Matters" (1989-1998). But during the fourth season, Judy seemingly vanished and was never mentioned by anyone again. Per The Guardian, Rosetta LeNoire was born in Hell's Kitchen, New York, in 1911. Her birthday is September 23, 1968, Jaleel revealed. He also credited the writers with taking his character from "just kind of a Black guy who was in the room" to something that more resembled the actor himself. Kelly Shangyne Williams, who played Laura in Family Matters, even described her co-star as "[the] foundation" of the series in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. The actor is set to do it again in Cartoon Network's 2023 TV film Did I Do That to the Holidays? Where Are They Now? The Cast of "Family Matters" - Obsev The actress only appeared in three episodes of the sitcom, but her performances caught the eye of television executives and she subsequently landed parts in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Young and the Restless. The show, which aired from 1989 to 1998, focused on the Winslows, a family living in Chicago and their relationship with their sweet - but nerdy and annoying - neighbor, Steve Urkel. Who is that? Tyler questioned. iloveoldschoolmusic.com. 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 Thenthe 21-year-old psychic claimed that he didnt even know who Jaleel White a.k.a. Reginald VelJohnson - Wikipedia Jaleel White, an actor best known for his portrayal of Steve Urkel, the nerdy young neighbor in the television sitcom "Family Matters" (1989-1998), was said to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. What Happened to the Original Harriette on 'Family Matters'? - Distractify Unfortunately, LeNoire is no longer with us. He is best known for playing police officer characters, such as Carl Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, which ran from 1989 to 1998, and LAPD Sergeant Al . [14] VelJohnson also voices several minor characters in the series. She was known for her singing voice, her eccentric hats and how driven she was to become an entrepreneur. After playing the Winslow family matriarch, Harriette, on Family Matters, Jo Marie Payton continued her television career with recurring and lead roles on several other primetime shows. Costar Michael McKean tweeted, "A sad goodbye to Eddie Mekka this morning. In 2017, VelJohnson took part in a "Family Matters" reunion alongside the rest of the cast. Tammy Townsend played Greta McClure for 14 episodes. Thomas L. Miller produced some of the most memorable television shows in TV history including hits like "Happy Days," "Laverne & Shirley," "Family Matters," and "Full House." Gary Menteer, a writer, director, and producer, actually started out as an actor. Carl Winslow - Family Matters. Throughoutthe 90s, Family Mattersdominated Friday nights on ABC. She was my old co-star from Family Matters and she died from stomach cancer quickly. over and got the girl of his dreams. Rosetta LeNoire's turn as Mother Winslow in Family Matterswas critically acclaimed, and she was central to some of the sitcom's most memorable moments during its nine-season run. "She had a lot of friends in the music industry.". "You're talking about Michelle Thomas. Just before his retirement from sports, Smith got his first role on television, a guest spot playing himself on the show "The Odd Couple." From 1986 to 1993, the sitcom chronicled the hilarious misadventures of the Winslow family and Urkel, capturing the hearts of viewers in the process. Payton got married to her third husband Leonard Downs in 2007 and she has a daughter named Chantale France from a previous relationship. After the show wrapped, White stated that he never wanted to step back into Urkel's shoes again, though he later revised the claim over a decade later. Thomas would eventually end up as the real life girlfriend of the actor, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Theo. She had a lot of friends in the music industry." Has She Died? Michelle Thomas | Family Matters Wiki | Fandom Stars Who Think They Have a Psychic Ability. Eddie Mekka, top right, died in Newhall on Nov. 27, 2021, at age 69, according to a friend's social media post. In 1975, Mekka received a Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in "The Lieutenant." While her private life remains pretty much private, Hopkins has kept pretty busy over the years. A spinoff of the hit '80s sitcom Perfect Strangers, Family Matters began life as a modest hit before morphing into one of the most successful comedies on the small screen at the time. I must admit that I understand Jaleels Googling suspicions about psychic medium, Tyler Henry. ", Emmy-nominated actor Ron Glass was a staple of American television starting in 1973 with his first role on "All in the Family." The cause of death at the time had been ruled acute drug intoxication and other conditions. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. LOAD COMMENTS Unsurprisingly, Rivera's stardom continued into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. Michelle Thomas was a late arrival to Family Matters, debuting in the fourth season as Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel's love interest. Her character and her baby boy, Richie, moved in with the Winslow clan shortly after becoming a widow. Im looking at what looks like E and then L-L-E is the only way to describe it, Tylershared. A genuinely good guy and purveyor of cheer whenever things got cheerless.". Walt Disney Television via Getty Jaleel White Returns as Steve Urkel in New Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? He died back in 2007 due to respiratory failure at the age of 85. For starters, it remains one of the longest-running series in the history of television to revolve around African American characters, only exceeded by Tyler Perry's House of Payne and The Jeffersons, respectively. 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. "Everyone adored him," she said. "We have all lost a dear, dear brother," said Reginald VelJohnson, who played Carl Winslow. He was 29 years old. 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 Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! cancer-related complications. Bubba Smith's character on Family Matters, Bones, is an intimidating muscle to the loan shark the guys got in deep with, complete with a hilarious growling match between Urkel and Bones. 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. A still shocked Jaleel wrestled with the information, before finally accepting it.