List of Family Matters characters
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[edit] Main Characters
[edit] Carl Otis Winslow
Played by Reginald VelJohnson.
Carl Otis Winslow is the husband of Harriette, son of Estelle, brother-in-law of Rachel, and father of Laura; Judy; and Eddie. He holds his position as "King of the Castle" (self-proclaimed "Big Kahuna") very seriously; however he is easy to admit defeat to Harriette when involved in typical marital disputes.
Carl is an officer for the Chicago Police Department. He takes his job seriously, and it is often suggested that he is very good at what he does, despite the fact that his boss, Lt. Murtaugh, is very incompetent. Fitting into his character, he has an avid love for doughnuts and other junk food. This plays into the fact that he is overweight, and in several stories throughout the series, Carl's physical health plays a role.
Early on, he is a police sergeant; he is eventually promoted to lieutenant, and eventually captain.
Carl is constantly annoyed by his pesky neighbor, Steve Urkel, who has a very high level of respect for Carl, and affectionately calls him "Big Guy". Although Steve is relentlessly annoying, and has cost the Winslow family tons of time and money, resulting from his own clumsy demeanor, Carl is often there to back Steve up, and help him out in times of distress. Over the progression of the show's run, Carl develops a fondness for Steve that surprises even himself.
Carl is very protective of his children, especially his daughters, and is very strict when it comes to Eddie taking responsibility for his actions. More than once, this has led to serious conflict with his children (and one time, caused Eddie to move out).
Throughout the series, whenever Carl decides to firmly stick to a decision, he sternly states his catchphrase, "I have spoken!"
[edit] Harriette Winslow
Played by Jo Marie Payton from 1989-1997, and Judyann Elder in 1998.
Harriette is Carl's wife, Rachel's sister, and mother of Eddie; Laura; and Judy. Harriette is a very conservative and strong-willed woman. She holds her role in society as a mother and working woman with high regard. Harriette is very reluctant to tell people what they want to hear, as she is very frank and upfront about her feelings. She is very constructive in her demeanor and attitude. She was Director of Security for the Chicago Chronicle. She had previously worked at the newspaper as an eleavtor operator, but was laid off when she asked for a raise. She applied for the security position, but her former boss was reluctant to hire her, due to her lack of experience. Harriette explained that despite a lack of experience, she was more than able to perform the job because of her activities as a wife, mother, and homemaker. She remained at the job for four years, until she was fired for refusing to reduce her security staff during a budget crisis. She was later a service clerk at Ferguson's Department Store, a job she got soon after losing her job at the Chronicle. She is later promoted to Head of Sales, replacing an ill-tempered, condescending department head. Her character changed after the eighth season, only to allow for Elder to take on the character in the last half of the ninth and final season.
[edit] Edward "Eddie" James Arthur Winslow
Played by Darius McCrary, Eddie is a casual NBA, NFL fan, and jock. He is the only son, and oldest child, of Carl and Harriette. During the early years of the series, he was a high school student with sometimes stereotypical traits of a high school slacker (e.g., poor grades and irresponsible behavior). Eddie frequently had a stormy relationship with his father, especially concerning Carl's strict rules. Eddie's best friends were Waldo Faldo and Urkel. During the first two seasons, he was also friends with Rodney Beckett, a Caucasian classmate. Initially, his relationship with Urkel - who considered Eddie his "best bud", and often affectionately called him "Eddo", it was little more than out of pity (seeing him as nothing more than an unpopular nerd). Urkel remained loyal to Eddie, and he eventually accepted him as a true friend. Eddie eventually moved into his own apartment, and enrolled at the Police academy, eventually getting hired by the Chicago Police Department as a rookie officer.
[edit] Laura Lee Winslow
Played by Kellie Shanygne Williams, Laura is the oldest daughter of Harriette and Carl, and the object of Steve's affections. It is suggested that she makes high grades, in addition to her beauty. Laura generally had little patience for Steve's antics, but her seeming hatred of him only seemed to egg him on further. She eventually learned to love Steve, and they became engaged in the last episode.
[edit] Judith "Judy" Winslow
Played by Valerie Jones (pilot only), and Jaimee Foxworth (1989-1993). Judy is the younger daughter, and youngest child, of Carl and Harriette. It is suggested that she enjoys a close relationship with Laura. She attended elementary school, and later junior high school. During her years on the show, the name of her schools are never disclosed. She later disappeared from the series altogether, with no explanation given.
[edit] Estelle Winslow
Played by Rosetta LeNoire, Estelle is the family matriarch, and mother of Carl. She moved into the Winslow household during the series' pilot episode, much to the chagrin of Carl, since it usurped his authority. Despite her old age, she was very active, frequently going on dates, and commenting about her "man-hungry" demeanor. Unlike her family, Estelle generally likes Steve, and is always happy to see him. Estelle is widowed; her husband, Sam (a Tuskegee Airmen, fighter pilot during World War II), had died some time ago. She eventually began dating a man named Fletcher Thomas; Carl, at first, was reluctant to accept his mother finding a new man, but by the time Estelle and Fletcher got married, Carl grew to be more accepting.
[edit] Steven Quincy Urkel
Played by Jaleel White, Steve Urkel is a stereotypical nerd, with large, thick eyeglasses, "high-water" pants held up by suspenders, a high-pitch nasal-tone voice, and a snorting laugh. While highly intelligent, he was also quite accident-prone, (spawning his catchphrase, "Did I do that?") and socially awkward. He was also known for his massive crush on Laura Winslow, and constantly attempting to win her affections. He also frequently got on Carl's nerves. He became known for his signature "Urkel Dance", a novelty dance that he frequently performed. He has also created numerous inventions, that were otherwise considered impossible, especially for the 1990s. He first appeared in the first-season episode "Laura's First Date". He also had an alter-ego, Stefan Urquelle.
[edit] Myrtle Mae Urkel
A supporting character who made many appearances throughout the show's run, Myrtle was Steve's cousin from "the deep South". Myrtle's father, Big Daddy, owns a peanut farm, making that particular branch of the Urkel family very wealthy. The two live on a large Biloxi plantation, called "Urkel Oaks", which (in Myrtle's premiere episode) her father was rumored to be selling. Myrtle had an obsession with Eddie, just as Steve had with Laura. Unlike Steve, who respected Laura's personal space, and accepted the fact that she dated other guys (though not happily), Myrtle crossed most boundaries to an extreme, causing Eddie to be terrified of her (as his sister Laura was around Steve). When Greta became Eddie's girlfriend, she and Myrtle would get into fights, going to extremes at times. In a dream sequence, when Eddie is paid a lot of money to marry Myrtle, Greta crashes the wedding, and engages in a catfight with Myrtle. By the conclusion of the series, Myrtle moves on, realizing that she has far too much pride, and way too much money, to deal with the likes of Eddie. When Eddie asks what he'll do without her in his life, Myrtle responds that she "doesn't give a damn".
Myrtle Urkel is played also by Jaleel White.
[edit] Rachel Crawford
Played by Telma Hopkins (1989-1993, occasionally appearing 1994-1997)
Rachel was Harriette's widowed sister. She moved in with the Winslows shortly after her husband, Robert, died (the series never showed any flashbacks of him). She is the mother of Richard "Richie" Crawford. A budding singer, she is also an entrepreneur, opening Rachel's Place (a hangout for teenagers, much in the vein of Arnold's from Happy Days) in 1990, which replaced Leroy's, a similar hamburger joint that Urkel had accidentally burned down.
Rachel is seen throughout the first four seasons; after a year's absence, she made occasional appearances during the rest of the show's run.
[edit] Richie Crawford
Played by Joseph and Julius Wright (credited as Joseph Julius Wright) (1989-1990); and Bryton McClure (1990-1997)
Richard "Richie" Crawford was the only son of Robert and Rachel Crawford; Robert dies before Richie's first birthday, which in part prompts Rachel's move into the Winslow household. There, Carl effectively fills the "father" role left vacant by Robert's death.
Richie is 1-year-old in first-season episodes, and age-advanced to 4 years old thereafter. He is a typical mischievous child, and even idolizes Urkel; in fact, due to the nerd's constant visits and unrelenting crush on Laura, Richie calls Urkel "Uncle Steve".
In later episodes, Richie becomes friends with a young orphan named 3J (whom the Winslows eventually adopt).
[edit] 3J
Played by Orlando Brown (1996-1998)
3J — Jerry Jamal Jameson — was a young orphan whom Carl and Harriette adopted early in the 1996-1997 season. He was introduced as Urkel's Little Brother (in an episode paying homage to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America program), and later is friends with Richie. His street-wise, smart-mouthed demeanor is a cover for his loneliness and desire to have a stable, permanent family; his birth mother had given him up for adoption shortly after he was born, and frequently had moved around. The Winslows, seeing that he needed love, decide to adopt him. 3J effectively fills the void left with Judy's unexplained departure three years earlier.
[edit] Myra "Boutros-Boutros" Monkhouse
Played by Michelle Thomas (1993-1998)
Myra was introduced midway through the fourth season as a possible girlfriend for Urkel. She was the cousin of Laura's then-boyfriend, Ted, who set up the date to get the nerd out of his way.
Myra Boutros-Boutros Monkhouse is a very attractive girl that is attracted to nerdy boys and polka music. In season 5, she transferred to Steve and Laura's school for "Stevie-kins" During her relationship with Steve Urkel, she grew to become infatuated with him. When Laura and Steve get engaged, Myra grows furious at her loss. She pairs up with Stefan Urquelle (Jaleel White) and both set out to win them back. Stefan fails as well as Myra, though she continues to try multiple times. She also had a sixth toe on her left foot and had it removed to give away to another girl who needed it. Because the show was canceled without a series finale, Myra's fate, or whether or not she continues to try to win back Steve's affection, was unknown. Had the show had a tenth season and a series finale, she probably would have been removed since Thomas died five months after the ninth season ended.
[edit] Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Played by Shawn Harrison as (1991-1996)
Waldo was the dim-witted best friend of Eddie. See Waldo Faldo for complete character biography.
[edit] Recurring Characters
[edit] Greta McClure
Played by Tammy Townsend (1995-1998)
Eddie's first steady girlfriend since early in the series (when the main girl in his life was Jolene) was Greta McClure, the daughter of his boss at the Mighty Weenie. Greta was a college student; her father was very strict with her and didn't exactly approve of Eddie. At one point, he cut off her funding to college, forcing her to resort to posing nude for art class. Greta is successfully able to fight off Myrtle Urkel, the "girl" who is vying for Eddie's effections.
[edit] Maxine Johnson
Played by Cherie Johnson (1990-1998)
After Penny left the scene, Maxine followed, becoming Laura's main sidekick for the rest of the series run. Like Laura, she was pretty, popular and boy-crazy. From 1993-1996, she dated Waldo Geraldo Faldo; despite his stupidity, the two remained loyal to each other throughout their relationship. Maxine had softer feelings for Urkel, unlike Laura (during the early years), a trait she inherited from her predecessor, Penny.
[edit] Rodney Beckett
Played by Randy Josselyn (1989-1991)
During the early years of the show, Rodney was one of the series' few white recurring characters. He was pals with Eddie; the two were involved in typical teenaged capers. Rodney likes to play practical jokes like put saran wrap on toilet seats and play with fake vomit. One time, he made fake report cards on his computer and sent them out to his friends (including Eddie) that gave them straight A's (Reference: "Straight A's"). At one point he made a documentary about unsafe conditions in the girls' locker room. Some girls broke his camera and threw him into the showers.
[edit] "Weasel"
Played by Shavar Ross (1992-1994)
Weasel is a streetwise high school student who is a friend of Eddie Winslow, appearing from 1992-1994. Weasel — whose real name is Alex Park — likes to do things like moon metermaids. He gets detention a lot, and received a commemorative plaque from Steve Urkel on his 100th day of detention, which Weasel was proud of. In one episode, he went to the school dance with Waldo Faldo's sister, Quesedilla. Eddie and Waldo were worried that Weasel would be disrespectful to Quesedilla, but she said that he had been a perfect gentleman. Weasel was notorious for getting the guys into sticky situations, often through a hare-brained get-rich-quick scheme.
[edit] Penny Peyser
Played by Ebonie Smith (1989-1990)
Penny was Laura's best friend during the first season of the series.
[edit] Lt. Lieutenant Murtaugh
Played by Barry Jenner (1990-1992)
During Carl's time as sergeant, Lt. Lieutenant Murtaugh was Carl's superior officer. He was boastful, arrogant and rather boneheaded. He took advantage of others, and desired to date Carl's sister-in-law, Rachel. Frequently, his behavior toward Rachel crossed the line of sexual harassment. He also showed an open disdain for Urkel, although they shared a song and Root Beer Floats and the end of one episode, and after losing his watch to Steve in a poker game, Steve returns it, and Murtaugh says he is "All right", and salutes him. His character was often used as a comic foil for Carl's straight man. Murtaugh legally changes his name every time he is promoted, and it is evidenced by an episode in which Murtaugh mentions he'd like to remain on a first name basis, and when Carl tells him he doesn't know his first name, Murtaugh replied with "Lieutenant!" After explaining, Carl asks what Murtaugh's name was before, and receives the harsh reply "Sergeant!" Murtaugh's punchlines were often replied with a serious deadpan expression from Barry Jenner. After the episode Farewell My Laura, in which Murtaugh is a character in Urkel's 40's Detective yarn, his character disappears. Appropriately, he was killed off along with everyone but Steve Urkel and Laura in the fantasy. The circumstances surrounding his departure are unknown.
[edit] Capt. Marion Savage
Played by Sherman Hemsley (1994-1995)
After his promotion to Lieutenant, Carl's second boss was Capt. Savage, who — like Lt. Murtaugh — was loud-mouthed, arrogant and boastful, although he did not exhibit sexual harassment-like behavior. In the episode "Par for the Course", Capt. Savage, Carl, and Steve all played golf together. Captain Savage cheated by kicking or moving his ball when he was not supposed to. Steve convinced Carl to confront Savage about his cheating. Savage responded by saying that he liked that Carl confronted him and they needed more honest police officers like Carl, then warned him if he were so confronted again, it could cost him his job. In another episode, Savage and his girlfriend came to the Winslows to have dinner. Carl recognized Savage's girlfriend from a strip club, but Savage (who already knew about his girlfriend's profession) had Carl reprimanded for not minding his own business.
[edit] Commissioner Geiss
Played by Dick O'Neill (1996-1998)
When Carl began pursuing a promotion to captain, Commissioner Geiss was introduced. Like his predecessors, Geiss was openly disagreeable, but in a somewhat different way. Rather a curmudgeonly grouch, Geiss nevertheless took a shine to Carl, who went out of his way to impress him.
[edit] Irene Steuben
Played by Susan Krebs (1990-1992)
Ms. Steuben had the unenviable job of being one of Urkel's junior high school teachers. She continually tried to elude her most ambitious but most irritating student, but much to her dismay, they managed to cross paths several times. Ms. Steuben was a very nervous teacher, mostly because she happened to teach classes where Urkel was enrolled and the nerd would somehow create hijinks. Her appearances included:
- "Marriage 101" — Urkel is paired with Laura in a class unit about marriage.
- "The Show Must Go On" — Featuring a performance of "Romeo and Juliet," Laura is in the female lead role and Urkel takes the male lead after the original star falls ill. When Laura kisses Urkel on the lips in the play's signature scene, Urkel is so overjoyed that he begins destroying the set. When Urkel tries to apologize, Ms. Steuben asks Urkel if he will be taking "Home Ec" next semester. This thrills Ms. Steuben, who quickly declares that she will teach that class to avoid Urkel.
- "Food, Lies, and Videotape" — While it is apparent that Ms. Steuben is a very competent teacher when she works with the other students, she can't seem to shake Urkel. Her concern is well founded when Urkel brings a mutated yeast to class (to bake bread); however, the yeast works too well and causes the uncooked dough to spill out into the oven and all over the class. Ms. Steuben wants to resign thereafter, but Urkel reminds her that she teaches many good lessons.
- Her future after "Food, Lies, and Videotape" is unknown.
[edit] Principal Shimata
Played by Clyde Kusatsu
Equally harried by Urkel's antics was Vanderbilt High's principal, Edgar Shimata. He has appeared in the episode "Woman of the People" where he suggested that Laura Winslow run for class president against Cassie Lynn Nubbles, and "Presumed Urkel" where he was the judge in a student trial for Urkel, who was accused of causing an explosion in the science lab. He and Steve would sometimes speak Japanese to each other when they didn't want to let anyone else know what they were discussing.
[edit] Alfred Looney
Played by Tom Poston
Vanderbilt's perpetually confused janitor, Alfred Looney was always available to cause commotion through his absent-mindedness and remind everyone that his last name is pronounced "Lou-né" ("it's French" Looney would sternly remind everyone). He ended up losing his apartment and moved into the school's bomb shelter. When the assistant principal found out Looney was living down there, he told Looney that he had to leave. Steve Urkel convinced the assistant principal to agree to allow Looney to stay a little longer so that Carl Winslow can talk to him about housing options. When Steve and Carl went to talk to Looney, they were accidentally locked in the bomb shelter. They thought they would be in there the entire weekend, but then at the end of the day, Eddie Winslow came and found them. In another episode, Looney was about to get married, but then the bride changed her mind at the last minute when she found out that the person playing the piano at the wedding was an old boyfriend. Looney was about to commit suicide but then Steve and Carl convinced him not to. One of the police officers that showed up turned out to be a woman that Looney knew, so the two went out on a date.
[edit] Mrs. Wright
An algebra teacher mentioned once by Waldo Faldo in the locker room when the other guys are teasing Eddie Winslow about his practice of sexual abstinence until marriage.
