Family Matters alumnus Jo Marie Payton has revealed that she experienced severe health problems that left her unable to walk or talk.
In a video posted to Facebook earlier this month, the 75-year-old actress shared a message asking her fans to continue praying for her.
Peyton was leaning on a walker while recording the video.
“Two months ago I couldn’t walk. At the beginning of last year I couldn’t even talk,” she said. “But I’m walking better than I expected, and I’m talking better than I expected.”
“I’m fine,” she continued. “Please keep praying for me, I will be back.”
She captioned the video, “Thank you for all the prayers. It’s been a long 5 months, stay with me. I’ll be back!”
“Slow and steady wins the race 😉”
Peyton declined to say what caused her to be unable to walk or talk.
The “Proud Family” alum also shared a photo of herself sitting in a wheelchair celebrating Easter with her family.
Prior to her health update, Peyton last posted on social media in October 2025, when she reunited with her husband Reginald VelJohnson, who appeared on “Family Matters,” on a Halloween episode of “The Sherri Shepherd Show.”
Peyton and Vel Johnson, 73, played Harriet and Carl Winslow, respectively, on the beloved ’90s sitcom “Family Matters.”
The feel-good show, which also made actor Jaleel White a star thanks to his performance as iconic nerd Steve Urkel, ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998.
In December 2025, Darius McCrary, who played Eddie Winslow on the show, made headlines when he was released two months after being arrested on an outstanding warrant near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The 49-year-old actor, a father of three, has had several run-ins with the law over child support.
