“Family Matters” actress Jo Marie Payton is spilling some serious tea over one of her coworkers’ toxic on-set behavior.
Payton, who portrayed Harriette Baines Winslow in the sitcom from 1989 to 1997, told Entertainment Tonight that Jaleel White, the actor behind Steve Urkel himself, was nearly violent with her during their filming together.
“There was one time he actually wanted to physically fight me,” the 71-year-old revealed. She explained that White’s being thrust into the spotlight as a child had a negative impact on his attitude.
The incident took place during the season nine episode “Original Gangsta Dawg.” Payton says that during taping, she told White that he could not perform a particular scene per “standards and practices.” According to Payton, White became enraged, kicking and screaming, calling Payton several names. Despite the disturbing display, Payton says she knew White was “just a kid” at the time, so she did not hold it against him.
Instead, Payton blamed the adults who failed to help him navigate fame.
“Letting him run wild and do whatever he wanted to do, thinking he can say what he wants to say, you know, and hurt people’s feelings and all that,” she added.
Representatives for White have not yet responded to these new clams.
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