When most fans think of the hit ‘90s seriesFamily Matters,they probably imagine the iconic TV nerd, Steve Urkel, and a big part of Steve’s character arc is his obsessive crush on Laura Winslow, played by Kellie Shanygne Williams. Laura was the middle child of the Winslow family, a straight-A student, and a cheerleader. While she constantly rebuffed Steve’s affections, Laura was also charmed by his alter ego, Stefan.
All of America watched Williams grow up on the show, who was just 13 years old when she started and 22 years old when the show ended in 1998 — with Laura engaged to Stev. WithFamily Mattersbeing one of themost beloved sitcoms of the 1990s, fans might be surprised to learn what Williams has been up to in the last two decades.
Kellie Shanygne Williams' Post-Family Matters Acting Career Explained
She Took Another Sitcom Role, This Time Opposite Joan Cusack
In her next regular TV role followingFamily Matters, Williams played Alice Adams on the Joan Cusack-led sitcomWhat About Joan?from 2000 to 2002.Alice was a student teacher at the same high school as Joan, and the two became close friends.Williams had guest roles in episodes ofGirlfriendsandThe Parkersin 2002 and 2003, and appeared in three episodes on the seriesEvein 2006. In 2009, Williams played Cee Cee inSteppin: The Movie.
Besides Joan Cusack, Kellie Shanygne Williams also starred oppositeFriday Night Lights' Kyle Chandler andCurb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin inWhat About Joan?
After playing Laura Winslow for nearly a decade, Williams decidedly moved on to very different roles. No longer a teenager, Williams was able to play more complex and mature characters. Having been onFamily Mattersfor a good portion of her career, it makes sense that Williams would seek out something different.
Williams Is A Proud Family Woman Who Is Passionate About Charity Work
She Founded The Kellie Williams Program To Bring The Arts To Underprivileged Youth
After 20 years in showbiz,Williams chose to step back from acting to start a family. She married Hannibal Jackson, a former member of the U.S. Reserves, in 2009. In 2010, Williams had a daughter, Hannah, and a son, John, in 2012.
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Besides her dedication to her family, Williams has also shown her compassion and kindness through her charity work.She formed the Kellie Williams Program in 2006, which helped bring the arts to underprivileged youths in Washington D.C. In a 2020 interview withEssence,Williams explained her motivations:
We all get to that age when we ask,What have I done for anyone else?Right before [I turned] 30, I was compelled to help others. Now my business helps teens in Washington, D.C., create programming for themselves and their peers. We have worked with CNN and other businesses. I hope more people become involved with our young people because they are left to raise themselves, essentially. I was exposed to adults that give back. In the future I would love to create a television network just for teens.
Though the Kellie Williams Program is no longer active, Williams continues to support other charities, including The Starlight Foundation, Famous Fone Friends, and Hollywood For Children.
Kellie Shanygne Williams Has Returned To Acting After A Hiatus
She Has Starred In Holiday Movies Opposite Her Family Matter Co-Stars
After taking a decade-long break to raise her children and spend time with family, Williams finally returned to acting in 2020. That year,she co-starred in the holiday rom-comChristmas In Carolina,along with herFamily Mattersco-star, Darius McCrary, who played Laura’s brother, Eddie, on the series.
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In 2022, Williams had a supporting role in the holiday family film,A Family Matters Christmas —which, incidentally, is not at all related to theFamily MattersTV show. Even so, she reunited with yet anotherFamily Mattersco-star in the movie—Jo Marie Payton, who playedLaura’s mother, Harriette Winslow.
In 2024, Williams had a guest spot in an episode ofThe Ms. Pat Show,and starred in the independent holiday film,Christmas at Xander Point.According to her IMDb profile, Williams has another film in the works calledDark Zero 48,in which she will play CIA Agent Olivia Reyes. Whether or not Williams appears with yet anotherFamily Mattersco-star, we’ll be watching.
