Ever wondered what happened to your favorite Family Matters stars? From Steve Urkel to the Winslow clan—and that mysterious Judy—many of the cast have taken unexpected paths, reinvented themselves, or stepped away entirely. Let’s catch up with what they’re doing in 2025 and how the sitcom shaped their lives.
1. Jaleel White (Steve Urkel): From Nerd Icon to Creator
Jaleel White remains active in entertainment. He hosts the Game Show Network’s Flip Side, renewed for a second season in mid‑2025. He also voiced Steve Urkel again in specials like 2023’s Did I Do That to the Holidays? and previously on Scooby‑Doo and Guess Who?. His memoir Growing Up Urkel outlines his vision for a streaming reboot—not a reunion, but a nostalgic story inspired by his own journey.
2. Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow): The Beloved TV Dad
Reginald VelJohnson continues to enjoy guest work across TV and film—from Brooklyn Nine‑Nine to Turner & Hooch, and more. In 2024, he appeared on Dancing with the Stars and continues to make convention appearances and charity cameos .
3. Jo Marie Payton (Harriette Winslow): Voice Star & Advocate
Payton lent her voice as Suga Mama in The Proud Family and its revival on Disney+ and remained active into 2025. She blends screen roles with community and educational activism using her long career to uplift others.
4. Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Winslow): Actress & Youth Champion
After Family Matters, Kellie starred in What About Joan? and indie films. She then paused to focus on family and founded the Kellie Williams Program to support youth arts. She’s returned recently to holiday films with co-stars and executive produces some of them—reuniting on-screen with Darius McCrary and Jo Marie Payton.
5. Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow): Actor & Musician
Darius has had a varied post-show career: roles in films like Saw VI, Transformers, and TV dramas including The Young and the Restless. He continues in indie projects and music while occasionally touring as an R&B performer. His journey also includes some legal setbacks, like a 2015 child support case.
6. Bryton James (Richie Crawford): Daytime TV Star
Bryton has built a long-running career as Devon Hamilton on The Young and the Restless since 2004. He’s earned multiple Daytime Emmys, does voice work, and remains a steady figure in daytime drama.
7. Telma Hopkins (Rachel Crawford): TV Veteran & Mentor
Telma continued acting after Family Matters, with roles on Half & Half, Are We There Yet?, and Family Reunion. In 2025 she’s recognized as a mentor and supporter of young performers, drawing from her decades of experience in music and sitcoms.
8. Shawn Harrison (Waldo Faldo): Quiet Career, Loyal Fans
Shawn scaled back after the show ended. He’s done occasional voice work and commercials and stays connected with fans via social media. He isn’t in the spotlight often—but remains fondly remembered in retrospectives and reunion content.
9. Jaimee Foxworth (Judy Winslow): From Trauma to Advocacy
Jaimee experienced setbacks after being written off in season four, dealing with addiction and adult entertainment work. She’s now a mother, advocates for mental health awareness, and occasionally speaks out about her journey in interviews focused on redemption and recovery
10. Orlando Brown (3J): A Rocky Path to Redemption
Orlando Brown had a turbulent post-show journey, including legal and personal struggles. In 2025 he’s reportedly focusing on recovery, faith-based content, and creating motivational media rather than traditional acting roles
11. Michelle Thomas (Myra Monkhouse): Remembering a Life Cut Short
Michelle, who portrayed Urkel’s girlfriend Myra, died in 1998 from cancer at the age of 30. She is fondly remembered by cast and fans alike, and her memory is honored in tribute segments and interviews
12. Cherie Johnson (Maxine Johnson): Indie Creator & Podcast Host
After playing Laura’s best friend Maxine, Cherie shifted to writing books, hosting podcasts, and working on independent film projects. As of 2025 she’s still active in creative communities and indie productions
13. Brief Cameos & Reunions in Holiday Specials
Several cast members have reunited for holiday films like Christmas in Carolina (2020) and A Family Matters Christmas (2022), often sharing the screen with real-life family members and collaborators from the original show
14. Legacy: The Cultural Impact of Family Matters
The show launched careers and left enduring cultural moments. Steve Urkel remains an icon, catchphrases endure, and Family Matters still airs in syndication—cementing the actors’ legacies decades later.
15. What’s Next for the Cast?
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Jaleel White is developing concept-driven nostalgic content inspired by his own experiences, not a direct reboot
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Others are focusing on selective projects, advocacy, or entrepreneurship—continuing to evolve with intention.
Conclusion
Family Matters may have wrapped in 1998, but its cast lives on in rich, varied ways. From Jaleel White’s hosting, writing, and voice work—through Kellie Williams’s philanthropy—to Darius McCrary’s music and indie films, these stars remain creative and resilient. Some chose privacy, others found new platforms. Their stories in 2025 show that growth, reinvention, and purpose matter more than nostalgia.
FAQs
1. Is a Family Matters reboot happening?
Jaleel White says development is in progress, not as a traditional reunion but a inspired show about a kid saving a ’90s sitcom. He doesn’t plan to return as Steve Urkel himself
2. Which cast members still act regularly?
Bryton James continues on The Young and the Restless. Jo Marie Payton, Telma Hopkins, and Jaleel White all take selective acting, voice, or hosting roles in 2025
3. Are Skits like holiday specials bringing them back together?
Yes—movies like Christmas in Carolina (2020) and A Family Matters Christmas (2022) reunited several original cast members, often with executive producer credits from Kellie Williams
4. Did Jaimee Foxworth ever return to acting?
Jaimee chose privacy over her earlier TV life. She now focuses on motherhood, personal healing, and mental health advocacy, occasionally speaking publicly about her past
5. What legacy did Family Matters leave behind?
It created a cultural icon with Steve Urkel, launched its principal cast into long-lasting careers, and remains emblematic of ’90s family sitcoms. Its messages about acceptance and humor continue to resonate.
