Family Matters was home to several stars. From family matriarch Jo Marie Payton to break out star Jaleel White, Darius McCrary, and a future Disney star Orlando Brown. One person who did not fully benefit from their time on the show was the youngest Winslow, Judy. Played by Jamiee Foxworth, Judy famously went up the stairs one season and never came down after producers decided they had no idea what to do with her and “no one would notice.” Let’s take a look at the life of actress Jamiee Foxworth and how she’s kept busy since permanently being sent to her room.
Prior to being let go from Family Matters, Foxworth had a promising career as a child star. This included stints in TV 101 and Amen. When she joined Family Matters, she was situated as the show’s youngest and comic relief. Unfortunately, as Steve Urkle began dominating scenes, the need for Foxworth began to decrease. The show’s producers also said they had to make some budget cuts, so her role was put on the chopping block.
While the sitcom decided it could do without her, NBA superstar Shaq saw potential in Foxworth and her sisters Tyren and Jania. He signed the trio under the group name S.H.E to his T.W.isM Imprint under Interscope records. The siblings released one album titled 3’s a Charm in July of 1997. The only song that seems to still exist from this group online is a record titled “I Wouldn’t Take Her Back.”
When her music industry hopes got dashed, Jaimee did what, unfortunately, a lot of women had to do and turned to [adult] work. She began performing in films under the pseudonym Crave. Jaimee says she turned to this world because her family had run out of money. At only 19, she was lured into the industry after showing up for a swimwear shoot and being offered extra cash to take things further. At the time, she did not believe that anyone would see it and had a hard time finding any other work.
Foxworth told Oprah back in 2006 that she began drinking heavily and using substances to help numb herself to the work she was doing. “It was, to me, the quickest money. I was so naïve, and I was drinking.” Jamie says that when everyone got word of the film, she began to lose friends, family, and her self-confidence.
Following her adult career, Foxworth landed a role on the first season of Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew in 2008 which is a show that checks addicted celebrities into rehab under the care of Dr. Drew Pinsky,. Foxworth was joined by other celebrities including Brigitte Nielsen, Joanie “Chyna Doll” Laurer, Jeff Conaway, Daniel Baldwin, Seth “Shifty” Binzer, Mary Carey & Jessica Sierra.
Although Foxworth was included on various daytime talk show including Oprah and Tyra, attempted a singing group, tried adult industry, and reality tv – none of this spotlight helped bring in new acting roles. She and sisters Tyren and Jania rejoined for a podcast inspired by their girl-group days. The S.H.E Show on Spotify is their outlet on motherhood, music, and more. “They discuss what’s going on in the world today and honestly answer listener questions…in a hilarious and thought-provoking way!” says their description.
Currently, Foxworth is executive producing a short film called, “Absent in the Present.” Although there’s not much information available regarding the short, the film is directed and written by Elayne Rivers. Rivers is responsible for many short films including Stronger than you think and “In The Eye Of Greatness.” Cast members include Edwin Lee Guzman, Ismael Roldan, Abishy Pandita, Fox Teih, an d Elyane Rivers, herself.
Former TV mom Payton recently expressed that the only way she would do a Family Matters reboot is if Foxworth was written back into the show. With fans practically begging for this, it’s safe to say we might see Foxworth back on our small screens too.
