The actress was all smiles as she shared her gratitude for her fans and their support
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty; Jo Marie Payton/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Jo Marie Payton celebrated her 76th birthday on Aug. 3
- The actress, best known for her time as Harriette Winslow on Family Matters, shared a video asking fans for continued prayers
- In April, Payton revealed that she was learning how to walk and talk again after experiencing a medical emergency in early 2026
Jo Marie Payton is grateful to be celebrating her 76th birthday.
The actress shared an update, thanking fans for their support as she enjoyed her special day. In an Instagram Reel shared on Monday, Aug. 3, the Family Matters alum told fans, “Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes, and keep praying for me.”
In the caption, she wrote, “Thank you All for the Birthday wishes…. Glad to be #76. Love Jo♥️.”
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Comments were full of well-wishes including from her on-screen son, Darius McCrary, who wrote, “🎂😘🔥.”
Terri J. Vaughn, who first met Payton on the set of Family Matters in 1994 and most recently worked with her in Tyler Perry’s Miss Governor, also shared her birthday wishes. “Happy birthday, my beautiful JoMarie. Love you so much!!” she wrote.
Their Miss Governor costar, Jade Novah, commented, “Happy birthday Auntie Grandma!!!!! 😍”
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Payton’s birthday celebration comes months after the actress revealed that she’d recently experienced a medical emergency she was recovering from. In celebration of Easter in April 2026, Payton opened up about her experience in her first post to social media since Oct. 2025.
“Two months ago, I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t talk, at the start of this last year. But I’m walking better than I thought I would, talking better than I thought I would talk. I’m doing okay. Keep praying for me, I’ll be back,” she says in the video.
Payton did not reveal the nature of the medical emergency to fans.
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