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Jo Marie Payton rose to fame as Harriette Winslow in Perfect Strangers and Family Matters
In the years since, the actress has starred in other titles across TV and film, famously lending her voice to The Proud Family‘s Suga Mama
Payton celebrated her 75th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 3
Jo Marie Payton is celebrating a special day.
The actress, best known for her roles as Harriette Winslow on Family Matters and for voicing The Proud Family‘s matriarch Suga Mama, celebrated turning 75 on Aug. 3.
While Payton has yet to commemorate her milestone birthday on social media, she’s in no way slowing down. The actress has three projects under her belt this year so far, with more in the works.
Her most recent post shows the actress in party mode, enjoying a cowboy-themed party with some friends.
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Payton decided to pursue acting after graduating from Albany State University, moving across the country to pursue her dream.
In California, she began her career on stage before transitioning to TV, where the world fell in love with her as Harriette Winslow. It was her portrayal of the character in ABC’s Perfect Strangers that opened the door for its spinoff, Family Matters, in 1989. She would go on to play the character through the show’s final season in 1997.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Carl (Reginald VelJohnson), Rosetta LeNoire (Estelle), and Harriette (Jo Marie Payton)
In May 2025, Payton did an interview with 106.7 WTLC where she talked about her 2023 Tyler Perry film, She the People. There, she opened up about having nearly five decades in the business under her belt.
Playing a matriarch in the movie, Payton opened up about what she hopes other women will take away from her role.
“The fact that [women] still have the power we’ve always had to get things done, to say all the right things, even sometimes in the wrong situations, and still make it work,” she shared.
“That’s one of the reasons that I wanted to do this show, not only because it was funny and because Tyler is funny and all, but also was important enough and with subjects and situations that we have, as serious as they are right now. Who else better to do it? I’m happy to be on this journey with Terri and the other excellent cast members that we have.”
Costar Terri J. Vaughn, who first met Payton on the set of Family Matters in 1994 and has worked with her a few times since, celebrated her “onscreen momma” in a spirited birthday post on Instagram.
“Happy Birthday to the absolute BEST ONSCREEN MOMMA!! From working with you back on Family Matters to our pilot shoot of GALS to our new series Miss Governor, you’ve always blessed me with your Yes!!” Vaughn wrote.
“I Love you @jomariepayton. Y’all help me give Auntie-Grandma some love!! And watch our new series streaming on @netflix.”
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