Family Matters was a sitcom based on an middle class black family living in Chicago that ran from 1989 to 1998 on ABC and CBS. The show was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers focused on the character of Harriet Winslow and her family: husband Carl Winslow, a police officer; rebel son Edward "Eddie" Winslow; smart daughter Laura Winslow; and youngest child Judy Winslow. They had opened their home to Harriet's sister Rachel Crawford and her son Richie, as well as Carl's streetwise mother Estelle Winslow. Nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel often barged in on the family and caused some trouble, and had a major crush on Laura.
As time went by the characters and stories changed. Richie grew up, Steve made incredible inventions, and Eddie and Laura hung out with their friends. By 1993 Judy and Rachel left the show. Rachel however made guest appearances whenever possible. Steve settled for Myra Monkhouse while he waited for devotion from Laura.
During its final season the show moved to CBS, and in December 1997 actress Jo Marie Payton left, with Judyann Elder taking over her role as Harriet. Family Matters ranks as one of the longest running African-American sitcoms along with The Jeffersons and The Cosby Show.
Cast
- Reginald VelJohnson as Carl Winslow
- Jo Marie Payton as Harriet Winslow (1989-1997)
- Judyann Elder as Harriet Winslow (1998)
- Darius McCrary as Edward "Eddie" Winslow
- Kellie Shanygne Williams as Laura Winslow
- Jaimee Foxworth as Judy Winslow (1989-1993)
- Valerie Jones as Judy Winslow (pilot only)
- Rosetta LeNoire as Estelle "Grandma" Winslow (1989-1997)
- Thelma Hopkins as Rachel Crawford (1989-1993)
- Joesph Julius-Wright as Richie Crawford (1989-1990)
- Bryton McClure as Richie Crawford (1990-1998)
- Jaleel White as Steve Urkel (1990-1998; recurring previously)
- Michelle Thomas as Myra Monkhouse (1992-1998)
- Orlando Brown as 3J (1996-1998)
- Shawn Harrison as Waldo Faldo (1992-1996)
- Jason Ferdinand as Omen (1990-1996)
