Were Carl From Family Matters Related to the Dad From Fresh Prince
Family unit Matters Actors You lot May Not Know Passed Away
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The gilded age of sitcoms produced many hilarious shows, but Family Matters stands out from the pack for a couple of reasons. For starters, it remains 1 of the longest-running serial in the history of television to revolve effectually African American characters, merely exceeded past Tyler Perry'south House of Payne and The Jeffersons, respectively. Of class, Family unit Matters likewise introduced Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) to the pop culture lexicon, turning what was originally supposed to be a 1-off character into a mainstay and all-around sitcom miracle.
A spinoff of the hit '80s sitcom Perfect Strangers, Family Matters began life as a modest hit before morphing into one of the nearly successful comedies on the small screen at the time. From 1986 to 1993, the sitcom chronicled the hilarious misadventures of the Winslow family and Urkel, capturing the hearts of viewers in the process. Audiences fondly recall these characters and the actors who portrayed them. However, some of the show'due south most memorable denizens have sadly passed away since Family Matters came to an end.
Rosetta LeNoire brought wisdom and wit as Mother Winslow
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With the exception of The Golden Girls, grandparents are never the main stars of sitcoms. Only they accept been an essential role of some of the most iconic family units in small-screen comedies. From Frank and Marie in Everybody Loves Raymond to Albert in The Goldbergs, the old-timers tin always be relied on to share their wisdom with their younger counterparts. Rosetta LeNoire's turn as Mother Winslow in Family unit Matters was critically acclaimed, and she was central to some of the sitcom's nigh memorable moments during its ix-season run. Kelly Shangyne Williams, who played Laura in Family Matters, fifty-fifty described her co-star as "[the] foundation" of the serial in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
LeNoire passed away in 2002, iv years after the final flavor of Family unit Matters originally aired. She was 90 years old at the fourth dimension, and she left backside an impressive body of work in television, film, music, and theater. LeNoire'south championing of variety in the arts ultimately led to the prestigious Rosie Accolade beingness created in her honor, forever cementing her legacy as ane of the all-fourth dimension greats.
Sherman Hemsley was Captain Marion Savage, Carl's obnoxious dominate
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Sherman Hemsley is maybe best known for playing George Jefferson in bothAll In the Family and The Jeffersons, the latter of which gained him earned him Golden Earth and Emmy Honour nominations. That said, he as well had a memorable guest role in Family unit Matters, playing Carl's boss, Captain Marion Savage, in a few episodes between 1994 and 1995. The Captain wasn't the most pop character, presumably because of his tendency to cheat at golf and brand life hard for Carl. At the aforementioned time, Hemsley delivered a terrific performance that proved why he'southward regarded as sitcom royalty.
Hemsley was in his fifties when he starred in Family Matters, and then he was already a veteran performer past the time he joined the sitcom. While the rest of his career primarily consisted of supporting roles, he continued to act until 2011, making appearances in shows similar Family Guy and Tyler Perry'south House of Payne. Per theNew York Daily News, Hemsley succumbed to superior vena cava syndrome and passed abroad in 2012. He was 74.
Michelle Thomas played Steve Urkel'southward girlfriend in Family Matters
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Michelle Thomas was a late arrival to Family Matters, debuting in the fourth season every bit Myra Monkhouse, Steve Urkel's dear involvement. However, much like her beau before her, Myra was shortly promoted to a recurring role and somewhen became an integral part of the Family unit Matters ensemble. The character's obsession with Urkel — along with her jealousy toward Laura — made her polarizing among fans and created some entertaining moments. Of course, Thomas was much nicer than her on-screen persona.
In an interview with East! (per Today), White broke down in tears every bit he fondly remembered Thomas, who passed away in 1998 at the young age of thirty. After being asked nearly her passing, the actor talked about how she was highly thought of among her peers. "She was my old co-star from Family unit Matters and she died of stomach cancer... quickly, White said. "She had a lot of friends in the music industry."
Barry Jenner played Carl's buffoonish boss, Lieutenant Lou Murtaugh
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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. Murtaugh was a recurring character in Family unit Matters between 1990 and 1992, and he was able to brand a big impact with his silly antics. While he was quite incompetent at his job, he had the patience of a saint, being that he was one of the few characters who tolerated Urkel. They fifty-fifty developed a bond over root beer and romantic woes. Unfortunately for the pair, their friendship came to an end after Murtaugh took all of the nerd'southward money during a poker game.
In add-on to Family Matters, Jenner had a notable function in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, portraying Starfleet Admiral William Ross in 12 episodes of the beloved sci-fi serial. However, as Variety noted, Jenner, passed away in 2016 at the age of 75 following a long battle with leukemia. His other popular credits include St. Elsewhere and JAG.
Family Matters launched Naya Rivera to childhood superstardom
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Naya Rivera was a child star when she appeared in Family Matters equally Gwendolyn, a immature kid who asked Urkel, of all people, for love communication. The actress only appeared in iii 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. As a youngster, Rivera was known for her confident performances and upbeat charisma. Equally Today pointed out, some of the adults who worked with her back in the 24-hour interval claimed that she was wise beyond her years and had a natural gift for the craft.
Unsurprisingly, Rivera'southward stardom connected into adulthood, especially with her role as Santana Lopez in the musical-comedy Glee. Tragedy struck in 2020, withal, when her body was found in a river after she disappeared during a boating trip with her son, Josey. She was simply 33 years old. Co-ordinate to Hello Magazine, the autopsy report revealed that "accidental drowning" was the cause of decease.
Source: https://www.looper.com/376103/family-matters-actors-you-may-not-know-passed-away/