Jo Marie Payton Biography

Fast Facts

• Earned numerous accolades for her role on "The Proud Family," including three Image Award nominations as well as three NAMIC Vision Award nominations
• Earned a Bachelor's degree from Albany State University
• Rose to prominence after her "Perfect Strangers" character gained a large enough cult following that show executives order a spinoff for her, eventually releasing the ABC sitcom "Family Matters" in 1989
• Made her screen acting debut in the TV movie "The Plant Family" in 1978
• Quote: "(On "Family Matters" focusing on the Steve Urkel character): "When you're headed to the moon, you don't give a damn who the captain of the ship is․""
• Quote: "(On reactions to her leaving "Family Matters"): "It made me look like this scandalous person, that was jealous of this kid [Jaleel]․․․I would be the first person in the world to apologize to someone if I thought I hurt their feelings․""
• Released her debut jazz album, "Southern Shadows," in 1999
• After leaving "Family Matters" halfway through the final season, she would again gain recognition by the early 2000s for her voiceover work on the Disney Channel animated series "The Proud Family․"
• Was the co-host of the NAACP Theatre Awards with Glynn Turman in 2005
• Appeared on the game shows "The Weakest Link" in 2002 and "Lingo" in 2003