Where Are They Now: Family Matters

Where Are They Now: Family Matters
The hit television series 'Family Matters' followed a middle-class African-American family living in Chicago. A spin-off of 'Perfect Strangers,' the sitcom followed Harriette Winslow, an elevator operator at the fictional 'Chicago Chronicle' newspaper's office, and her husband, two children, sister and mother-in-law, not-to-mention their pesky neighbor, Steve Urkel. 'Family Matters' was the only African-American show in ABC's hit "TGIF" line-up and aired for nine seasons from 1989 until 1998. In its final year it moved from ABC to CBS. With 215 episodes, it remains the second-longest running American comedy with a predominantly African-American cast, surpassed only by 'The Jeffersons.'


Reginald Vel Johnson: Carl Otis Winslow
For the entire run of 'Family Matters,' Reginald Vel Johnson portrayed rotund Carl Otis Winslow, patriarch of the Winslow household. A police sergeant by day, Carl was the glue that held the family together. Always firm, a bit over protective, but still loving, he always had his family's best interests at heart. He sometimes butted heads with his son Eddie and was constantly irritated by their Steve Urkel.


Reginald Vel Johnson: Now
Before, during and after his time on 'Family Matters,' Reginald Vel Johnson portrayed another police officer as Sgt. Al Powell in 'Die Hard' and its sequel 'Die Hard 2.' He followed that up as a cop in the comedy 'Turner and Hooch.' Following the show's demise, the Queens, New York native focused on theatre work. Over the years, he's made a few guest appearances on television shows like, 'Diagnosis Murder,' 'Will & Grace,' and 'That's So Raven.' Johnson just reunited with his 'Family Matters' co-stars Kelli Shanygne Williams and Darius McCrary in a film called 'Steppin: The Movie.'


Jo Marie Payton: Harriette Winslow
Following the fourth season of 'Perfect Stranger,' reoccurring character Harriette Winslow was given her own series, 'Family Matters.' Wife to Carl and caring mother to Laura, Judy and Eddie, Harriette continued her job as an elevator operator from 'Perfect Strangers' on 'Family Matters.' Actress Jo Marie Payton, who portrayed Harriette, left the series in the middle of its final season over a dispute with show producers. Only seven episodes remained after she departed.


Jo Marie Payton: Now
Since her time on 'Family Matters,' Jo Marie Payton released a jazz album called 'Southern Shadows.' The 58 year-old Georgia native voiced the character Suga Mama Proud on the hit ABC Family channel animated series 'The Proud Family.' She also had a reoccurring role on 'Will & Grace,' as the personal assistant to Gregory Hines' character Ben Doucette.


Kellie Shanygne Williams: Laura Lee Winslow
Kelli Shanygne Williams starred as the opinionated Laura Lee Winslow for the entire run of 'Family Matters.' Although on the series she played Eddie's younger sister, in real life, she is just a few months older than actor Darius McCrary -- who played the eldest Winslow child. On the sitcom, she is most remembered as the love interest of the nerdy Steve Urkel, who was The Winslows' annoying next-door neighbor.


Kellie Shanygne Williams: Now
After her time on 'Family Matters,' Kelli Shanygne Williams enrolled and graduated from UCLA majoring in psychology. She has appeared in such stage productions as 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone,' and 'Goin' Home,' and is gearing up to be a replacement in the role of Elphaba in the Chicago production of the hit musical 'Wicked.' In 2006, the 32-year old actress moved back to her hometown, Washington, D.C. to start a fine arts program for young people at Howard University's Children's Theatre.


Darius McCrary: Edward 'Eddie' James Arthur Winslow
Along with Steve Urkel, Edward 'Eddie' Winslow was one of the most popular characters on 'Family Matters.' Staying on for the full series run, actor Darius McCrary served as a close friend to Steve and caring big brother to Laura. As a teenager, Eddie stayed in a lot of trouble trying to juggle women, and making the usual bad decisions of boys his age; like gambling, driving the family car through the front of the house and blaming Steve for things he did wrong. During the series' final season, Eddie followed in his father's footsteps and became a rookie cop.


Darius McCrary: Now
As of late, actor Darius McCrary made headlines in 2008 when his estranged lover Karrine 'Superhead' Steffans the former self-proclaimed "video vixen" cum best-selling authoress -- filed a restraining order against him for assault accusing him of hitting her with his car and injuring her right foot. He proclaimed his innocence saying she slapped him and jumped on his car. On the acting front, the 32-year old actor played the role of Bowie James on the short-lived NBC series 'Committed.' He also starredon a memorable episode of 'Girlfriends,' and voiced the character of Autobot Jazz in the blockbuster film 'Transformers.'


Jaleel White: Steven 'Steve' Quincy Urkel
Jaleel White was the clear break-out star of the show and his character had grown so popular even spawning a breakfast cereal, doll and lots of other merchandise. But it resulted in difficulty in getting more substantial acting gigs. The UCLA grad and Pasadena native returned to television in 1999 as the star of the short-lived UPN sitcom 'Grown Ups.' Mostly though, he's had a career doing a great deal of animated voice work for the famed video game character Sonic the Hedgehog and all of the characters' television specials. In 2006, a horrible internet rumor that he committed suicide surfaced, which White addressed months later. His most recent roles include a cameo in the hit film 'Dreamgirls' as well as the television shows 'The Game' and 'Boston Legal.' 'The Hollywood Reporter' was the first to announce that he is now an accomplished screenwriter having penned a romantic comedy called 'Did You Get My Text,' which 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' director Joel Zwick is slated to direct.