Kellie Shanygne Williams
About
Biography
Biography
This young actress played the intelligent Laura Winslow, the eldest daughter, on the long-running sitcom "Family Matters" (ABC, 1989-1997, CBS, 1997-98). Her character functioned within her family unit chiefly to wisecrack her brother, but became part of the focus of the series with the introduction of annoying neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), whose one mission in life was to win Laura's heart. A Washington, DC native, Williams began as a child model and branched into acting at age six. She made her TV debut on the variety special "An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr" (NBC, 1986) and had bit roles in the features "Suspect" (1987) and "Men Don't Leave" (1990). In 1989, she landed the role on the ABC sitcom and practically grew up on the series. Her Laura Winslow was the typical teenager, reflecting contemporary tastes by changing her hairstyles and knowing the latest songs and dances. When the character graduated from high school, she was accepted at Harvard, but top retain Williams on the show, she was forced by a lack of finances to attend unspecified local college in Chicago. By the sixth season, Urkel was able to turn himself from nerd into his suave alter ego, Stephan Urquelle, and Laura became romantically involved with Stephan, although the character only made occasional appearances to keep the relationship going.
In 1996, Williams began branching out from the series. She guest starred on an episode of "Moesha" (UPN) and landed her first adult feature role as a street urchin traveling to Miami to appear in a music video in "Ride" (1998), written and directed by Millicent Shelton and produced by the Hudlin Brothers.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1982
Discovered while performing in childrens' theatre in Washington, DC, area at age six (date approximate)
1986
Appeared on the NBC TV special "An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr"
1987
First feature appearance, "Suspect"
1988
Appeared in August Wilson's play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" in Washington, DC
1989
Played Laura Winslow on "Family Matters" (ABC, 1989-1997; CBS 1997-1998)
1998
Cast in feature "Ride"
1999
Had featured role in the BET TV-movie "After All"
2001
Returned to series TV as co-star of the ABC sitcom "What About Joan?"
Family
