Jo Marie Payton

Jo Marie Payton (born August 3, 1950) is an American actress. She portrayed Harriette Baines Winslow on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters (1989–1997), a role she originated on its forerunner series Perfect Strangers. From 2001 to 2005, Payton provided the voice for Suga Mama Proud (Penny Proud's paternal grandmother) on Disney Channel's animated series The Proud Family and reprised the role in the 2005 television film The Proud Family Movie and also on Disney+'s revival The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Payton also had a recurring role as the personal assistant to Gregory Hines' character, Ben Doucette (Will Truman's boss), during season two of Will & Grace (1999–2000).

Early life and education Jo Marie Payton was born on August 3, 1950, in Albany, Georgia. Continuing her education, Payton graduated from Albany State University. She then moved to California, where she joined the national touring company of the musical Purlie.

Career Payton's big break came when she was cast as Harriette Winslow, the elevator operator on the ABC sitcom Perfect Strangers, in 1987. Harriette Winslow was played by Judyann Elder in the show's remaining eight episodes.

In 2002, Payton appeared on the "TV Moms" episode of the Anne Robinson version of The Weakest Link, and was the third one voted off. In 2003, Payton and her daughter appeared on a Mother's Day episode of Lingo, playing against fellow TV mom Meredith Baxter and her daughter. Baxter and her daughter won. In 2005, Jo Marie Payton provided the voice of Suga Mama in The Proud Family Movie. Her other television credits include Desperate Housewives , Reba, Girlfriends, Wanda at Large, Judging Amy, The Parkers, Will & Grace, The Hughleys, 7th Heaven, Moesha, The Jamie Foxx Show, 227, Silver Spoons, Small Wonder and The New Odd Couple. She also appeared as Mama in the Canadian television miniseries The Rev.

In 2005, Payton co-hosted the 15th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards with Glynn Turman. In August 2009, she guest starred on Meet the Browns as Shirley Van Owen. Payton then hosted her own show, Second Chance with Jomarie Payton, on the Hometeam Network. In 2012, Payton appeared in the GMC TV special From This Day Forward.

In 2017, Entertainment Weekly reunited the cast of Family Matters for an exclusive photo shoot and interview. During the interview, Payton said that she and White had a long talk, resolved any past animosity and reconciled.

Other ventures In 2004, in an effort to help raise funds for Virginia Union University, Payton wrote letters to alumni urging them to donate money in amounts from $18.65 to $186,500, in honor of the university's founding date of 1865.

Personal life Until 1998, Payton was married to Rodney Noble.

Filmography

Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1978 The Plant Family Geneva Television film 1980 The Hollywood Knights Black Lady 1981 Body and Soul Lady in the Ring 1983 Deal of the Century Baptist #1 1986 Crossroads Jookhouse Woman #2 1987 Disorderlies Kool's Mother 1988 Colors Recreation Center Woman #2 1989 Troop Beverly Hills Saleswoman 2001 Enchos of Enlightenment Paul's Wife 2002 In the Eyes of Kyana Olivia 2004 Gas Loretta 2005 The Proud Family Movie Suga Mama Proud (voice) Television film The Rev Mama Television film 2011 The Beach Chronicles AGX P2 Mothunevis Omaph Short 2012 The Beach Chronicles AGX Mothunevis Omaph Short From This Day Forward Elena Television film 2015 Dangerous Lessons Linda Television film The Flight Before Christmas Marie Television film 2016 Jericho Maebell 54:17 Violet 2017 A Warrior's Path: Alpha Essie Short 2018 The Little Mermaid Lorene Christmas Made to Order Rachel Television film 2019 The Beach Bum Judge 2020 A Very Charming Christmas Town Estelle Television film 2023 Momma Said Come Home for Christmas Dolly Roundtree

Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1977–1978 Redd FoxxVarious 7 episodes 1982–1983 The New Odd Couple Mona 4 episodes 1983 Teachers Only Yolanda Episode: "It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To" 1986 Small Wonder Meter Maid Episode: "Here Comes the Judge" 1986–1987 Silver Spoons Marie 6 episodes 1987 227 Mrs. Herman Episode: "The Handwriting on the Wall" The Slap Maxwell Story Bavaria Episode: "Episode #1.1" 1987–1989 Perfect Strangers Harriette Winslow Main cast; 33 episodes 1988 Frank's Place Mrs. Ross Episode: "The Recruiting Game" 1989 Small Wonder Sergeant Pepper Episode: "The Jailbirds" 1989–1997 Family Matters Harriette Winslow Main cast; 204 episodes 1996 Moesha Valerie Shaw Episode: "A Concerted Effort: Part 1" 1998 The Jamie Foxx Show Janice King Episode: "Just Don't Do It" 1999 Moesha Mrs. Campbell 4 episodes 1999–2000 Will & Grace Mrs. Freeman 5 episodes 2000 7th Heaven Sharon Peacock Episode: "Liar, Liar" City of Angels Helen Episode: "Saving Faces" 2001–2005 The Proud Family Suga Mama Proud (voice) Main cast; 52 episodes 2002 The Hughleys Satin Fontaine Episode: "Bored of the Rings" The Parkers Ms. Campbell Episode: "It's Showtime" 2003 Judging Amy Mrs. Kahn Episode: "Ex Parte of Five" Wanda at Large Mrs. Hawkins Episode: "Hurricane Hawkins" 2004 The Big House Mrs. Jenkins Episode: "Almost Touched by an Angel" Girlfriends Annette Miles 2 episodes 2005 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Suga Mama Proud (voice) Episode: "Spats" Reba Grandma Ruby Episode: "No Good Deed" 2006 Desperate Housewives Charlene Episode: "Thank You So Much" 2009 Meet the Browns Shirley Episode: "Meet the Gold Digger" 2010 The Glades Remelle Episode: "Mucked Up" 2013 The Rev Isabelle Starr Main cast; 4 episodes 2015 Chopped Herself/Contestant Episode: "Sitcom Moms" 2015–16 Mann & Wife Lorraine Mann Main cast; 20 episodes 2019 Blaze and the Monster Machines Grandma Ninja (voice) Episode: "Ninja Soup" 2022–2026 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Suga Mama Proud (voice) Main cast; 32 episodes 2023–2025 Chibiverse Suga Mama Proud (voice) 2 episodes 2025 Invincible Warden (voice) Episode: "This Was Supposed to Be Easy" Theme Song Takeover Suga Mama (voice) Episode: "Suga Mama Takes Over The Proud Family Theme Song!" Miss Governor Cleo DunkermanMain cast; 16 episodes