Jo Marie Payton

Biography

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

Desperate Housewives

INVINCIBLE

Will & Grace

Judging Amy

Sherri

Family Matters

Lilo & Stitch: The Series

Girlfriends

All Movies (20)

• A Proud Family Wizmas2026 · as Suga Mama (voice)
• Momma Said Come Home For Christmas2023 · as Dolly Roundtree
• Conundrum: Secrets Among Friends2023 · as Mrs. Dumas
• A Family Matters Christmas2022 · as Henrietta
• A Very Charming Christmas Town2020 · as Estelle
• The Beach Bum2019 · as Judge
• Christmas Made to Order2018 · as Rachel
• The Little Mermaid2018 · as Lorene
• Jerico2016 · as Maebell
• The Flight Before Christmas2015 · as Marie
• A Student's Obsession2015 · as Linda
• From This Day Forward2012 · as Elena
• The Proud Family Movie2005 · as Suga Mama (voice)
• Gas2004 · as Loretta
• Woof! Woof!! Uncle Matty's Ultimate Guide to Dog Training1997
• Troop Beverly Hills1989 · as Saleswoman
• Colors1988 · as 2nd Woman in Recreation Center
• Disorderlies1987 · as Kool's Mother
• Crossroads1986 · as Jookhouse Woman
• Deal of the Century1983 · as Baptist #1

All TV Shows (26)

• Miss Governor2025 · as Cleo Dunkerson
• Sherri2022 · as Self - Guest
• Chibiverse2022 · as Suga Mama Proud (voice)
• The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder2022 · as Suga Mama (voice)
• INVINCIBLE2021 · as Warden (voice)
• Desperate Housewives2004 · as Charlene
• The Big House2004
• Lilo & Stitch: The Series2003 · as Suga Mama Proud (voice)
• Wanda at Large2003
• Reba2001 · as Grandma Ruby
• The Proud Family2001 · as Suga Mama Proud (voice)
• Girlfriends2000 · as Annette Miles
• Judging Amy1999 · as Mrs. Kahn
• The Parkers1999
• The Hughleys1998 · as Satin Fontaine
• Will & Grace1998 · as Mrs. Freeman
• The Jamie Foxx Show1996 · as Janice King
• 7th Heaven1996 · as Sharon Peacock
• Moesha1996 · as Bernetta Campbell
• Moesha1996 · as Valerie Shaw
• Family Matters1989 · as Harriette Winslow
• Perfect Strangers1986 · as Harriette Winslow
• 2271985
• The New Odd Couple1982 · as Mona
• Silver Spoons1982
• Teachers Only1982