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. Actor. Hemsley was in his fifties when he starred in Family Matters, so he was already a veteran performer by the time he joined the sitcom. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. Thomas died December 22 in Manhattan,. Family Matters was a popular sitcom of the 90's and was a key part of ABC's TGIF lineup. Kellie Shanygne Williams made her name playing Laura Winslow, the seemingly perfect know-it-all daughter of Carl and Harriette on Family Matters. Payton got married to her third husband Leonard Downs in 2007 and she has a daughter named Chantale France from a previous relationship. What The Cast Of Family Matters Looks Like Today The series centered around the Winslows, a middle-class African-American family. Al Powell in the 1988 film Die Hard. 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. On February 18, 2020, he announced via his Instagram that he was working on the upcoming web series A Sitcom for Gio, as its director. Luckily, Tyler's pop culture knowledge isn't very vast. Did Judy Winslow Really Disappear From 'Family Matters'? - Distractify Michelle Thomas - Bio, Facts, Family Life of Actress White revisited Urkel after all in 2019, when he voiced him in the cartoon Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 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 a child, she appeared in three sitcoms shows and this earned her a spot in the screens. David Sutton, in Turner & Hooch (1989). 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." Stars From Family Matters You Didn't Know Died, Rivera drowned while saving her son's life, He diedon March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. 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. It has been over 16 years but the show still remains one of the greatest show of its time. Thomas was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 23 . He was able to make it big in the show with his silly antics. Kellie shaygne Williams also died. The classic TGIF sitcom Family Matters had a consistent main cast until mom Harriette Winslow was abruptly recast during the final season. . 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. From 1986 to 1993, the sitcom chronicled the hilarious misadventures of the Winslow family and Urkel, capturing the hearts of viewers in the process. The sitcom show was created by William Bickley and Michael Warren. Authorities state that upon entering the home they discovered a young African-American male with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. She appeared in all nine seasons and unlike most of the other Winslow clan, she actually liked their neighbor Steve Urkel. Hes also rumored to be dating his co-star Brytni Sarpy. He spent much of the '80s in guest roles on television shows including recurring parts in "Bay City Blues" and "The New Leave It to Beaver," but it was his 1985 appearance in the classic martial arts spoof film "The Last Dragon" as Sho'Nuff, the villain in the movie, that would forever cement him a place in Hollywood history. Years active. But most will probably agree that his relationship with the beautiful Myra Monkhouse portrayed by actress, Michelle Thomas -was just as special. 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. Unfortunately for the pair, their friendship came to an end after Murtaugh took all of the nerd's money during a poker game. He started with the Baltimore Colts, won a Super Bowl in 1970, and played until 1976. Walt Disney Television via Getty Jaleel White Returns as Steve Urkel in New Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? 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). Desselle-Reid's manager, Dolores Robinson . With the exception of The Golden Girls, grandparents are never the main stars of sitcoms. Oscar-winning producer dead at 101. 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.. 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. Sadly, some of those famous faces are no longer delivering lines and laughs. Tragedy struck in 2020, however, when her body was found in a river after she disappeared during a boating trip with her son, Josey. She then went on to appear as a regular cast member on Half & Half and Are We There Yet? Kellie Williams - Carl Winslow's smart-aleck daughter and object of Steve Urkel's affections was portrayed by Kellie Williams. stuck around for 38 episodes but in 1998, she took a break from Hollywood Lenoir championed diversity in the arts and ultimately led the prestigious Rosie awards being created in her name. Singer and actor Johnny Brown had a megawatt smile that was perfect for stage and television. Laura Winslows heart. 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. A Steve Urkel Story. [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. Youre talking aboutMichelle Thomas. Harrisons latest role was in 2018 when he played Reverend Ike in Uncle Eds Bucket List. But, the actor isn't done with Hollywood yet. Menteer holds credits for writing, directing, producing on many of the shows he worked on including "Happy Days," "Punky Brewster," and "Family Matters." According to the story, White took his own life after becoming obsessed with the Steve Urkel character he'd played on "Family Matters" and growing despondent, presumably over the cancellation of the show. 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. 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. 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. Characters who have died in the Family Matters. Unfortunately, Payton left the series halfway through the final season, and actress Judyann Elder took over the role. Menteer passed away on January 18, 2016, at the age of 72. So he's staying fresh and busy as ever, even at 67 years old. Natalie Desselle Reid, star of 1997 film 'B.A.P.S.,' dead at 53 Jaleel explained. Reginald VelJohnson got his big break in 1988, when he played LAPD sergeant Al Powell in the action classic Die Hard. Unsurprisingly, Rivera's stardom continued into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. 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. To this day, her death is still unbelievable to lots of fans, and apparently, it still hits home for Jaleel White. 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). 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. After playing Rachel Baines-Crawford, the younger sister of Harriette Winslow, Hopkins starred in Getting By, another TGIF show that aired from 1993 to 1994 (its second season aired on NBC). target_type: 'mix' He has starred in Fresh Prince Of Bel-air and he was popularly known for his character in the sitcom The Jeffersons. His other popular credits include St. Gone way too soon, but never forgotten. His work ranged from Avengers to Sideways. 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. According to CNN, Rivera had gone out on a rented boat with her then-four-year-old son. He was also a contestant on season 14 of Dancing with the Stars, placing 8th. Glass' decades-long acting career also included a hilarious stint as Ross Gellar's divorce lawyer on "Friends" in 1999. See the Cast of 'Family Matters' Then and Now Jo Marie Payton, who played the . Thomas died Tuesday in Manhattan, according to her publicist, Kahdijah Bell. Eddie Mekka, top right, died in Newhall on Nov. 27, 2021, at age 69, according to a friend's social media post. Per NPR, he was an activist and member of the board of directors for Los Angeles' AL Wooten Jr. Heritage Center. As Today pointed out, some of the adults who worked with her back in the day claimed that she was wise beyond her years and had a natural gift for the craft. In October of that year, she underwent a second surgery to have another growth removed. She has been away from the entertainment world since 2011, and many have wondered where she is now. What The Cast Of Family Matters Is Up To These Days - MSN Jaleel Whitemay bebestknown for playing hilariously nerd Steve Urkel on the '90s sitcom Family Matters, but there's nothing funnyabout theshocking revelation he receives from Tyler Henry on Wednesday night's Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry episode. Family Matters. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Rosetta LeNoire played Estelle Winslow, who was Carls mother. Poston was a jack of all talents. 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 was filled with fond memories that most fans will probably never forget. Where are they now? The "Family Matters" cast - Revolt The cast of 'Family Matters' has largely continued to work in the industry after the show ended in 1998. Clip The sneak peek also features White, 44, reminiscing on his. Dark Secrets The Cast Of Family Matters Tried To Hide - NickiSwift 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. September birthday, sudden passing, E-L-L-ENo Google?. The Cast of Family Matters: Where Are They Now? - People 9 June 2002 (p. 11). His final TV spot was "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in 2014. However, as Variety noted, Jenner, passed away in 2016 at the age of 75 following a long battle with leukemia. Powell in the GameCube video game title, Die Hard: Vendetta, in 2002. They have two kids, John Ervin and Hannah Belle Jackson. Williams married President and CEO of the IT firm Y-Tech, Hannibal Jackson in 2009. May 13 2020, Updated 10:30 p.m. }); Copyright 2015 . Jaleel White played Steve Urkel, the The group talked about their experience on the show and revealed that, like the title dictated, the family did matter to them. 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. Natalie Desselle-Reid Dead: 'Madea' Actor was 53 - Variety 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. Family Matters | The Gods are Dead | Episode 20-The Gods are 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. He would also play an ambulance driver in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) in which he was credited by the stage name Ivory Ocean. Actor Matt Landers was in dozens of television shows and 20 motion pictures over his thirty-year career in show business. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Naya Rivera was introduced to acting as a child star after she got a role in the sitcom show Family Matters. Landers passed away on March 12, 2015, at the age of 62 from cancer. Family Matters Star Will Only Do a Revival if Judy Winslow Returns Kellie Shanygne Williams made her name playing Laura Winslow, the seemingly perfect know-it-all daughter of Carl and Harriette on Family Matters. 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. "This is embarrassing, I don't even recognize you," Tyler tells him. As a youngster, Rivera was known for her confident performances and upbeat charisma. Michelle Thomas was a late arrival to Family Matters, debuting in the fourth season as Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel's love interest. Carl Winslow - Family Matters. A still shocked Jaleel wrestled with the information, before finally accepting it. This granny was hip and street-wise and also had plenty of love and advice to offer everyone. One year later, he landed the role of Carl Winslow, another police officer, in the beloved ABC series Family Matters. _taboola.push({ In 2018, "Family Matters" star Reginald VelJohnson told Today that Miller helped him land the role of Carl. [14] VelJohnson also voices several minor characters in the series. The sitcom starred Reginald Vel Johnson (Carl Winslow), Jo Marie Payton (Harriet Winslow), Darius McCray (Eddie. It gives me joy that you dont know who I am. Then Jaleel broke down. "We have all lost a dear, dear brother," said Reginald VelJohnson, who played Carl Winslow. She was a hilarious older female version of Urkel, and when the two started wreaking accidental havoc on the Winslows living room, spilling popcorn and breaking the coffee table, they both exclaimed, "Did we do that?" Telma Hopkins played Rachel Crawford, Harriet Winslows sister and aunt to her kids, Eddie, Laura and Judy. 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. The poorly-written and fake Associated Press article both had the victim being found dead in his home and pronounced dead following admission to a Los Angeles-area hospital. "Come on, man. 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. Whatever Happened to the Cast of Family Matters? - Celebrity Toob Michelle Thomas dies of cancer at 29, CBS Website, Dec. 1998. VelJohnson is known for playing police officers in films and on television. 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. Reginald VelJohnson - Wikipedia