Lenoir died in 2002, just four years after the final season of Family Matters was aired. That said, he also had a memorable guest role in Family Matters, playing Carl's boss, Captain Marion Savage, in a few episodes between 1994 and 1995. Season 3 of 'The Mandalorian' is 'epic,' cast says Tom Sizemore's family deciding end of life matters, rep says James Marsden, LeVar Burton explain the power of a movie director The actor is set to do it again in Cartoon Network's 2023 TV film Did I Do That to the Holidays? She had a regular role in the series Give Me A Break and Amen. Glass' decades-long acting career also included a hilarious stint as Ross Gellar's divorce lawyer on "Friends" in 1999. The Cast of 'Shameless' : Where Are They Now? It was all a send-up, though. Actor Matt Landers was in dozens of television shows and 20 motion pictures over his thirty-year career in show business. VelJohnson was hired after Gene Hackman, originally hired to play the role, became unavailable, and producers decided to hire a relatively unknown actor for the part. He remained on the soap until 2011, then continued on the small screen in the FX sitcom Anger Management. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; One year later, he landed the role of Carl Winslow, another police officer, in the beloved ABC series Family Matters. He started with the Baltimore Colts, won a Super Bowl in 1970, and played until 1976. White has continued to guest star on a variety of television shows like Trial and Error and Fresh Off the Boat. In 2019, he reprised his role of Steve Urkel on the TV series, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? He also appeared on the The Big Show Show in 2020 and the Disney Channel series Ravens Home. He has a daughter named Samaya White, who he had with ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy. As a youngster, Rivera was known for her confident performances and upbeat charisma. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. 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. He also joined fellow Family Matters alumni Kellie Williams, Jo Marie Payton and Darius McCrary at the 2022 '90s Con event. On Will & Grace's second season, Payton was Mrs. Freeman, an assistant at Will's law firm. cancer-related complications. Tyler questioned. He appeared as a comic actor, game show panelist and many more. Television actress Michelle Thomas, 30, a co-star on the sitcom "Family Matters," died Dec. 22 after a struggle with stomach cancer. LOS ANGELES, California (AP) Jaleel White, who played 'nerdy' neighbor Steve Urkel on "Family Matters" found dead Monday. But it was his Broadway debut in "Purlie" that got him noticed by Norman Lear and led to his first TV roleas grumpy Archie Bunker's neighbor in "All in the Family," for which George Jefferson was born and inspired the spin-off, "The Jefferson's. and "Whoa, mama." A year after Family Matters ended, LeNoire guest-starred as a nurse on the TV series Cosby in 1998. Smith must have enjoyed the bite from the acting bug because he continued acting, now not as himself, on shows like, "Charlie's Angels" and "Eight is Enough," and then landed some regular gigs such as a recurring role on "Open All Night." "Did I do that?" 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 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). Simply known as Urkel, the nerdy, accident-prone neighbor of the Winslows tripped his way into America's heart with catchphrases like, "Did I do that?" It was UT's loss, and a big one at that:Smith became a two-time All-American in 1965 and 1966. They got divorced in 2019, and have a daughter together named Zoey. But have you ever wondered what the cast is up to now? 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. In his latest work, the former child star starred as Connor on the drama series Monogamy, which aired its third season in 2021. because of health issues. mode: 'thumbnails-rr1', 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. . It gives me joy that you don't know who I am." 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. The "Family Matters" actress died on Wednesday, December 23, 1998, at the young age of thirty in a private room at a Manhattan's Memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer center surrounded by her family and close friends. Who is that? Tyler questioned. Aside from his voice work, McCrary appeared in films like 15 Minutes, which starred Robert De Niro, in 2001, and Saw IV. He later said he changed the spelling "because I wanted a name people would remember."[7]. White was pronounced dead on arrival after admission to an LA hospital early Monday morning. Most recently, the former TGIF star played Reggie in the 2020 Australian comedy The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, which was Olivia Newton-John's last film before her death in 2022. The group talked about their experience on the show and revealed that, like the title dictated, the family did matter to them. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. The actress, a former child model, remained a fixture on TV post . "Few singers have impacted music & the world like Donna Summer!" In a 2014 Boston Globeinterview, Mekka mused, "I got to do a great jitterbug number with Madonna in 'A League of Their Own.'" Thenthe 21-year-old psychic claimed that he didnt even know who Jaleel White a.k.a. The Stars of That '70s Show: Where Are They Now? 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. over and got the girl of his dreams. She was 53 . 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. She underwent surgery to remove a tumor in 1998 and returned home to her family to recover. Landers passed away on March 12, 2015, at the age of 62 from cancer. 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 . [12] The following year, he appeared as the "Sgt. But Jaleel wouldnt give in. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Jo Marie Payton played the family's matriarch, Harriette Winslow. Adventure Comedy Drama The Winslow family deals with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. On stage, the young actress starred in . Michelle Thomas was a late arrival to Family Matters, debuting in the fourth season as Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel's love interest. It happened after Lauras boyfriend, Ted, got tired of Urkel trying to put the moves on his girlfriend. 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. His daughter, Hope Mulbarger, toldPeopleof her father, "He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end. But by the end of the series, Urkel finally won Laura But many "Family Matters" have not stayed on the small screen and others have sadly passed on. Over the years, fans watched him grow up until the series ended in 1998. In 2017, he played Darryl on the CBS sitcom Me, Myself & I alongside Bobby Moynihan. 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. Family Matters premiered on September 22, 1989, and ran for nine seasons. Tragedy struck in 2020, however, when her body was found in a river after she disappeared during a boating trip with her son, Josey. The series centered around the Winslows, a middle-class African-American family. In 1986, he would go on to star in another series, "Amen," where he played a deacon who was also a lawyer. Unfortunately, LeNoire is no longer with us. That adorably sweet smile and natural acting ability garnered her more roles on shows like "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Baywatch.". Unfortunately, Payton left the series halfway through the final season, and actress Judyann Elder took over the role. Carl Winslow - Family Matters. 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. Unfortunately, Payton left the series halfway through the final season, and actress Judyann Elder took over the role. She starred in films such as Glee, The Arsenio Hall Show, Step Up and many more. 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. Tammy Townsend played Greta McClure for 14 episodes. May 13 2020, Updated 10:30 p.m. 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. NFL defensive end Bubba Smith was born in 1945 in Texas. Carry was a working actor up to his last role in 2006's "The 12th Man" before his untimely death from pancreatic cancer. Bryton McClure was only 4 years old when he started playing Richie Crawford on Family Matters' second season. Tragedy struck in 2020 after her body was found in the river after disappearing during a boat trip. Dennis died in April 2009 in Shadow Hills Los Angeles. Confident, hilarious, and kick-a** fighting skills, Carry drew in audiences who couldn't help but fall in love with Sho'Nuff. A genuinely good guy and purveyor of cheer whenever things got cheerless.". 'In Living Color' Cast: Where Are They Now? White, an only child, is survived by "cousins, aunts, uncles, and wonderful friends," Bickley said. With the exception of The Golden Girls, grandparents are never the main stars of sitcoms. He went on to form his own production company and eventually signed a deal with Warner Bros. TV predecessor Lorimar Television. 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. Jaleel said dumbfounded. According to CNN, Rivera had gone out on a rented boat with her then-four-year-old son. Come on, man. Under that theory, the "news account" of the former child star's suicide serves as the set-up for that line. Family Matters was one of the most popular sitcoms during the 90s. On May 15, 2020, Willard died of natural causes at the age of 86. Family Matters (1989-1998) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Series Cast Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by Series Film Editing by Series Casting By Series Art Direction by Series Set Decoration by Series Makeup Department Series Production Management The cast of "Laverne & Shirley is seen above in a publicity photo. 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. 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. However, as Variety noted, Jenner, passed away in 2016 at the age of 75 following a long battle with leukemia. Ironically, Landers was on the other side of the law in his first appearance on "Family Matters," playing a robber at a convenience store. Landers' next time on "Family Matters" was in 1997, and he played a pirate named Flint when Urkel and Carl went back in time. Family Matters Actors You May Not Know Passed Away. He said, "So actually we ended up with a really really, totally well-rounded, totally wonderful character to play.". Black-Led TV Shows. 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. Rosetta LeNoire played Estelle Winslow, who was Carls mother. The cause of death at the time had been ruled acute drug intoxication and other conditions. with a rare stomach cancer in 1997 and died in 1998 at . Davenport, Misha. NEW YORK (AP) -- Actress Michelle Thomas, who had television roles in The Young & The Restless, The Cosby Show and Family Matters, has died of cancer at age 29. In 2010, VelJohnson started a recurring role as Principal, later Superintendent, Strickland on the Disney sitcom I'm in the Band and also Funnyordie.com's short HBO film titled Just 3 Boyz starring Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and Zach Galifianakis. Family Matters. Jo Marie Payton played the familys matriarch, Harriette Winslow. Walt Disney Television via Getty Jaleel White Returns as Steve Urkel in New Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 15 Reginald VelJohnson Reginald VelJohnson 's acting career has really come full circle. Per Beaumont Enterprise, when it came time for college ball, he ended up leaving his homestate for Michigan State because the University of Texas teamwas not yet integrated. He has starred in Fresh Prince Of Bel-air and he was popularly known for his character in the sitcom The Jeffersons. [3] Johnson attended Benjamin N. Cardozo High School . In 1999, she joined Moesha's season 4 to play recurring character Mrs. Campbell. She was my old co-star fromFamily Mattersand she died from stomach cancer quickly. Telma Hopkins played Rachel Crawford, Harriet Winslows sister and aunt to her kids, Eddie, Laura and Judy. Thomas moved on from Family Also an accomplished dancer, he was in the original cast of "The Music Man" on Broadway and appeared in several musical adaptations, including "Hello,Dolly!" Sherman Hemsley is probably one of the funniest actors in the sitcoms. Jo Marie Payton, Now Like many actors of his time, he started on the stage in the 1950s. Michelle Thomas' first role on television was on the hit TV series "The Cosby Show," where she played Theo's girlfriend, Justine. Family Matters attracted a lot of cast members but this article will feature some of the cast members who died in real life. She'd previously starred in movies like the sci-fi feature Trancers and its sequels, Trancers II and Trancers III. 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). Desselle-Reid's manager, Dolores Robinson, confirmed . In 2009, McCrary returned to TV to fill in for Shemar Moore on The Young and the Restless. Per The New York Times, this is when her illness, a rare form of stomach cancer, seemed to take a foothold, and Thomas had to take a medical leave from filming. As of 2009, VelJohnson had homes in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Los Angeles, and resided primarily in Oceanside, New York. It has nine seasons with a total of 215 episodes. Michelle Thomas | The Cosby Show, Family Matters & A Rare Disease Leads To a Tragic End Juicy Pop 188K views 1 year ago 'Family Matters' Reunion ft. Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White & More. In the late '60s, he began showing up on television and in movies, and by the time the '70s rolled around, it seemed he was bitten by the comedy bug, appearing in variety shows like "Love, American Style" and sitcoms such as "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Fernwood Tonight," in which he appeared in 44 episodes as Jerry Hubbard. He has also appeared in the comedy film, The Formula, starring alongside Brandon Baker and Sasha Jackson. Hemsley made the sitcom show family memorable when he got a chance as a guest cast and Carl's obnoxious boss, Captain Marion Savage. 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. ", Emmy-nominated actor Ron Glass was a staple of American television starting in 1973 with his first role on "All in the Family." Belvedere." In October of that year, she underwent a second surgery to have another growth removed. He'll be missed and remembered every day by his many, many friends," they said. 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. 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. Barry Jenner was a recurring character in the sitcom show Family Matters. Bryton McClure played Richie Crawford, the son of Telma Hopkins character, Rachel. 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. The classic TGIF sitcom Family Matters had a consistent main cast until mom Harriette Winslow was abruptly recast during the final season. Sadly, she passed away that same year of In August of 1997, Michelle Thomas life was forever changed when she was diagnosed withintra-abdominaldesmoplastic small-round-cell tumor,a rare form of stomach cancer. "It's the end of an era.". The actress could also be seen starring in Bounce TV's Mann & Wife as Lorraine Mann from 2015 to 2017. Costar Michael McKean tweeted, "A sad goodbye to Eddie Mekka this morning. That said, the TGIF alumnus does have a sizable number of acting credits since his Family Matters days. She passed away in 2002. And now, she is set to reprise her role again in the upcoming Punky Brewster" sequel series. Brown's last role came in 2013. He diedon March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. Where is Kellie Shanygne Williams Now? 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. The golden age of sitcoms produced many hilarious shows, but Family Matters stands out from the pack for a couple of reasons. Family Matters is an American television sitcom that originated on ABC from September 1989 to 1997 and later was moved to CBS from 1998. While her private life remains pretty much private, Hopkins has kept pretty busy over the years. It has been over 16 years but the show still remains one of the greatest show of its time. It was a spinoff of the popular show Perfect Strangers on which he appeared only once, though Harriette appeared as a re-occurring guest star. 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. The show, centered around a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, was a spin-off of. Jaleel sincerely misses Michelle Thomas,which is evident in his emotional video, check it out below. "Family Matters" was a popular American television sitcom that aired nine seasons from 1989 to 1997. 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. Elsewhere and JAG. Actress Michelle Thomas, who had television roles in The Young & The Restless, The Cosby Show and Family Matters, has died of cancer at age 29. After the sitcom ended in 1998, Thomas portrayed Callie Rogers, an aspiring singer and love interest of Malcolm Winters, on the daytime soap The Young and the Restless. "This is embarrassing, I don't even recognize you," Tyler tells him. Of course, Family Matters also introduced Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) to the pop culture lexicon, turning what was originally supposed to be a one-off character into a mainstay and all-around sitcom phenomenon. The show was filled with fond memories that most fans will probably never forget. His character was described as totally dim-witted, and he often annoyed Steve Urkel by saying the silliest things. Known for. VelJohnson voiced the character Jerry in the TV show, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia from 2018 to 2019. Thomas brought the aspect of jealousy and made the sitcom more interesting. In 1991 and 1992, Family Matters was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy series and in 1997 White won the award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. Kellie Shanygne Williams made her name playing Laura Winslow, the seemingly perfect know-it-all daughter of Carl and Harriette on Family Matters. 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. 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. ", 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. 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. Bryton Eric McClure. Eddie Mekka, top right, died in Newhall on Nov. 27, 2021, at age 69, according to a friend's social media post. On July 8, 2020, Rivera died at the age of 33. In the end, she saved the day singing her iconic song "Last Dance" at a talent show. Her former boyfriend, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, was at her side. Family Matters was a popular sitcom of the 90's and was a key part of ABC's TGIF lineup. From 1986 to 1993, the sitcom chronicled the hilarious misadventures of the Winslow family and Urkel, capturing the hearts of viewers in the process. So, he got his cousin, Myra, to meet with him and she and Urkel wound up hitting it off, but ultimately, it didnt work out. Maxine always tried to get Laura to do the wrong thing, but she eventually stopped doing that once she and Waldo started dating. Jaleel White, who played . All rights reserved. Then in "Sink or Swim" in season 6, Mekka plays Mr. Nutting, the P.E. In 1989, VelJohnson was cast as the memorable police officer and family patriarch Carl Winslow in the ABC (later CBS) sitcom Family Matters, alongside Jo Marie Payton, who played his wife Harriette Winslow. From Frank and Marie in Everybody Loves Raymond to Albert in The Goldbergs, the old-timers can always be relied on to share their wisdom with their younger counterparts. Before she was on Family Matters, Johnson was on another sitcom called Punky Brewster where she played Punkys best friend, Cherie. "Come on, man. Rumor has it that the character was removed because of budget issues. In the sitcom show Family Matters, he got a role as mother Winslow's husband. container: 'taboola-right-rail-thumbnails', This is crazy. She flew home to spend Thanksgiving with family, but unfortunately, that was her last holiday alive. Come on, man. 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. But they have been an essential function of some of the most iconic family units in small-screen comedies. Payton got married to her third husband Leonard Downs in 2007 and she has a daughter named Chantale France from a previous relationship. 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. LOS ANGELES, California (AP) Jaleel White, who played 'nerdy' neighbor Steve Urkel on "Family Matters" found dead Monday. 1979-present. 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. }); Copyright 2015 . But the actress didnt stick with Hollywood. 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. Thomas would eventually end up as the real life girlfriend of the actor, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who played Theo. Stars Who Think They Have a Psychic Ability. 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. Actor. 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. Per Broadway World, his film debut was alongside Sammy Davis Jr., whom he also appeared with on Broadway, in the 1966 movie "A Man Called Adam." He was 74. She was also a grandmother to Eddie, Laura and Judy. They have two kids, John Ervin and Hannah Belle Jackson. She appeared in the show as Gwendolyn and was popularly known as the young child who asked Urkel for love advice. Quick Facts Also Known As: Michelle Doris Thomas Died At Age: 30 Family: father: Dennis D.T. Williams married President and CEO of the IT firm Y-Tech, Hannibal Jackson in 2009. 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. Payton also has a busy career in voice acting: She voiced The Proud Family's Suga Mama Proud, the unpredictable grandmother of protagonist Penny Proud, on Disney Channel from 2001 through 2005. Also found was a note, which read simply "Did I do that? On the show, Jaleel sat down for a reading with Tyler Henry. Unsurprisingly, Rivera's stardom continued into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. "She was my old co-star from Family Matters and she died of stomach cancer quickly, White said. Darius McCrary played Eddie Winslow, the handsome, eldest brother to Laura and Judy and cousin to Richie.