1 / 13

Family Matters - This week marks the 25th anniversary of TV audiences' introduction to the Winslow family. The multi-generational, working class family was spun off from the sitcom, Perfect Strangers, but soon made its own mark in television history. After a successful nine-season run, Family Matters is one of the longest-running sitcoms with a predominately African-American cast (The Jeffersons ran the longest).  Best of all, Family Matters proved that its own show title was the ultmate formula for a successful primetime series. (Photo: WENN)

Photo By Photo: WENN

2 / 13

Reginald VelJohnson - Reginald VelJohnson played the strict, but loving patriarch Carl Winslow, who had little patience for annoying neighbor Steve Urkel. Since Family Matters ended in 1998, VelJohnson has stayed on the small screen in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Mike & Molly and, most recently, on Hart of Dixie. (Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)

3 / 13

JoMarie Payton - Actress JoMarie Payton portrayed the intelligent and strong-willed matriarch Harriette Winslow. The actress, who originated her role (then a sharp-tongued elevator operator) on the sitcom, Perfect Strangers, went on to star on Moesha, Will & Grace, Girlfriends and The Proud Family. Payton can currently be seen on the TV series, The Rev. (Photo: Aaron Davidson/WireImage)

4 / 13

Darius McCrary - Darius McCray played the troublemaking but well-meaning Eddie Winslow for nine seasons. The actor starred in such films as Kingdom Come, Transformers, Next Day Air and 35 and Ticking. McCray caused a daytime TV uproar when he replaced Shemar Moore as beloved character Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless. But McCray found TV audiences more receptive to his appearances on Cold Case, The Soul Man and Anger Management. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images)

5 / 13

Kellie Williams - Carl Winslow's smart-aleck daughter and object of Steve Urkel's affections was portrayed by Kellie Williams. The actress, a former child model, remained a fixture on TV post-Matters. She guest-starred on Moesha, Girlfriends and The Parkers. Plus, Williams was also a series regular on What About Joan. (Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images) 

6 / 13

Jaimee Foxworth - The role of Judy Winslow, was played by Jaimee Foxworth. Judy famously went upstairs during a episode, never returned and the Winslows acted as if Judy never existed. In reality, producers booted Foxworth from the series because of her salary demands. Post-Matters, the actress starred in adult films under the name Crave and battled drug and alcohol addicition. She reportedly exited the adult film industry in 2005 and embraced a life of sobriety. In 2006, her plight and downfall into X-rated films was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Foxworth gave birth to a baby boy in 2009.(Photo: Jesse Grant/WireImage)

7 / 13

Rosetta LeNoire - The goddaughter of tap dancer legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Rosetta LeNoire, who played Estelle Winsow, mom of Carl, enjoyed an acting career for over six decades. In the 1930s, LeNoire starred in the all-Black version of Macbeth directed by Orson Welles and in the film, Brewster's Millions opposite Richard Pryor. She also appeared on the daytime dramas, Guiding Light and Ryan's Hope and the sitcoms, Gimme a Break! and Amen. LeNoire passed away at age 90 in 2002. (Photo: John D. Kisch/Separate Cinema Archive/Getty Images)

8 / 13

Telma Hopkins - The role of Rachel Crawford, sister of Harriet Winslow, was a career reboot for singer and actress Telma Hopkins. She began her career as a background singer for legendary Motown acts Marvin Gaye and The Four Tops. Hopkins was also half of Tony Orlando's backing group Dawn. The former Gimme a Break and Bosom Buddies star went on to appear in The Hughleys, Half & Half and Are We There Yet? As of 2014, Hopkins stars opposite Martin Lawrence in the sitcom, Partners. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

9 / 13

Bryton James - Bryton James played the cute and cuddly Richie Crawford, son of Rachel Crawford. James would later appear on the TV series, The Vampire Diaries and the Hero Factories. For the past ten seasons, he's starred as Devon Hamilton Winters on the longtime running daytime drama, The Young and the Restless. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) 

10 / 13

Cherie Johnson - Cherie Johnson portrayed Laura Winslow's BFF Maxine Johnson for eight seasons. Since her time on the popular 90s sitcom she's guest starred on TV's The Parkers and Eve. Johnson has also appeared in the films, The Intruders, Guardian of Eden, Crush and A Place Called Hollywood. (Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Deon Taylor Enterprises) 

11 / 13

Shavar Ross - Diff'rent Strokes alum Shavar Ross starred as Weasel, bestie of Eddie Winslow on the series. A very successful child actor who starred on Growing Pains, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the film, What's Love Got to Do with It, Ross appeared mostly on TV  after Family Matters ended. He could be seen on the series On Our Own, Chicago Hope and Chocolate News. (Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images)

12 / 13

Jaleel White - Brainy, awkward and squeaky-voiced Steve Urkel started out as the nerdy next door neighbor. But played by Jaleel White, he became the breakout superstar of the series. After Urkelmania hit America thanks to the catchprase, "Did I do that?",  the dance, "The Urkel", the cold cereal Urkelos, Steve Urkel dolls, plus other merchandising, actor White moved onto small and big screen projects. He starred in the TV series Grown Ups, guest starred on The Game, House M.D. and C.S.I  Crime Scene Investigation. In 2014, White completed three films, Santa Con, The Preacher's Son and The Choir Director. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

13 / 13

Michelle Thomas - Steve Urkel finally stopped pining for Laura Winslow for a spell when he got his first real on screen girlfriend in Myra Monkhouse, portrayed by Michelle Thomas. The former Cosby Show recurring star, dated Malcolm-Jamal Warner in real life and went on to star in The Young and the Restless and the film Unbowed. Sadly, Thomas died of stomach cancer at the age 30 in 1998. Warner was reportedly at her side when she passed away. (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)