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Jo Marie Paytonand Reginald VelJohnson, stars of the beloved ’90s sitcomFamily Matters, took their roles as parents just as seriously behind the scenes as they did on camera!
Speaking to an audience, as well as formerEven Stevensstar and panel hostChristy Carlson Romano, Payton, 71, got the conversation rolling after revealing that she and VelJohnson took an active role in parenting the young stars as though they were their own children.
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“I was older than some of their parents are, and I was due respect, and I demanded it,” Payton said.
“The adults on our show…they took personal responsibility for us,” Williams, 45, explained. “What you saw on camera, she did not play. They [Payton and VelJohnson] did not play with us. Whoever was doing what…when one of them would talk to you, you listen. And our parents backed them up.”
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Added McCrary, 45: “We couldn’t get away with anything.”
“Jo Marie, and all of our parents, and all of the adults on the show — it didn’t matter if you were an actor, or a director, or a producer, or a craft services person, whatever — we had respect,” Williams said, offering just one example of how Payton laid down the law behind the scenes with her.
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Continued McCrary: “They were there at our high school graduations. They were involved in our learning, our day-to-day. In our discipline, absolutely.”
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The cast also addressed whether or not they’d be game to participate in aFamily Mattersreboot should it ever come to fruition. Payton emphasized that she would only do it if the role of Judy Winslow, the family’s youngest child whomysteriously disappearedin the fourth season, was written back into the show.
If she were to ever consider playing Winslow family matriarch Harriette again, “the very first episode has to be that she comes down those stairs.”
Payton added, “The worst feeling in the world for a parent is not to know where your child is, so if [a reboot were to happen], and Judy comes back, I will doFamily Mattersagain!”
Although only part of the cast ofFamily Mattersappeared at 90s Con over the weekend, they were in good company at the event, as cast members from other iconic ’90s shows and movies were also in attendance during the three-day convention.
Among the stars wereScott Weinger,Andrea Barber,Candace Cameron BureandDave CoulierofFull House;Rider Strong,Trina McGee,Danielle FishelandWill FriedleofBoy Meets World; andLisa Jakub,Matthew LawrenceandMara WilsonofMrs. Doubtfire.
source: people.com
