About
Jo Marie Payton is an American actress and singer who starred as Harriette Baines–Winslow, the matriarch of the Winslow family on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters (1989–1998), 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 grandmother) on Disney Channel's animated series The Proud Family and Disney+’s upcoming revival The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The role earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2005. 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).
Known for
GirlfriendsSeries • 2000
Desperate HousewivesSeries • 2004
MoeshaSeries • 1996
INVINCIBLESeries • 2021
Will & GraceSeries • 1998
Family MattersSeries • 1989
Judging AmySeries • 1999
7th HeavenSeries • 1996
Lilo & Stitch: The SeriesSeries • 2003
RebaSeries • 2001
The Jamie Foxx ShowSeries • 1996
The HughleysSeries • 1998
The ParkersSeries • 1999
The Proud FamilySeries • 2001
The Proud Family: Louder and ProuderSeries • 2022
Perfect StrangersSeries • 1986
227Series • 1985
Silver SpoonsSeries • 1982
ChibiverseSeries • 2022
Miss GovernorSeries • 2025
The Beach BumMovie • 2019
CrossroadsMovie • 1986
ColorsMovie • 1988
The Proud Family MovieMovie • 2005