The 1990s were full of quality family series, and Black sitcoms of the era are upheld as some of the very best in sitcom history. Iconic characters like Steve Urkel and Moesha Mitchell helped shape a generation of young viewers from childhood to their teen years and beyond. Not everything about the ’90s ages well, but many storylines within Black sitcoms are still relevant today.
The kid actors of these sitcoms can be credited for their shows’ successes. Decades later, these actors’ series are still some of the most beloved and defined the sitcom genre in the 1990s.
Tatyana Ali
Will Smith was already in his twenties when he started The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but Tatyana Ali was only eleven. Before working with Will, Ali guest-starred on several popular sitcoms, including The Cosby Show, In the House, and Living Single. The multi-talented actress played Ashley Banks, Will’s youngest cousin, on The Fresh Prince. Both Ashley Banks and Tatyana Ali grew up so much during the sitcom’s six-year run, with both Ali and her character excelling in music.
Jaleel White
Family Matters is the show that made Jaleel White a star, but White also made Family Matters a legendary sitcom. He was instantly popular in his role as Steve Urkel and clearly drove the direction of the show. Storylines highlighted the Winslow family, too, but Steve was right in the middle of everything.
It’s important for fans to remember that Jaleel White showed off his acting chops with other roles on Family Matters. For example, he was also Steve’s cool alter-ego, Stefan Urquelle, and White dressed to the nines to play Steve’s Southern debutante cousin, Myrtle Urkel. The character of Steve Urkel became a special part of other TGIF sitcoms, too, with him making appearances on Full House and Step by Step.
Kel Mitchell
Kel Mitchell is one of the biggest 1990s Nickelodeon stars, rising to fame from All That to his sitcom with Kenan Thompson, Kenan & Kel. He was hilarious on Kenan & Kel as Kel Kimble, often messing up his best friend’s schemes just by being a little clumsy. Kel Mitchell had a recurring role on The Steve Harvey Show with Kenan and appeared as his Kenan & Kel character on Cousin Skeeter in the 1990s. Things have come full circle with Mitchell’s creative involvement as a producer and actor in the All That reboot on Nickelodeon.
Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson had his film debut in D2: The Mighty Ducks in 1994. Soon after that came All That, Good Burger, and his role as Kenan Rockmore on Kenan & Kel with Kel Mitchell on Nickelodeon. Thompson and Mitchell also appeared together on Cousin Skeeter, Sister, Sister, and The Steve Harvey Show. They got to work together again as executive producers on the All That reboot. In the 2000s, Kenan found his path as a Saturday Night Live star and continues with his incredible career, most recently beginning his starring role on the NBC comedy Kenan.
Brandy
Brandy Norwood was only sixteen when she started playing Moesha Mitchell, but she carried the character to adulthood. On Moesha, Moesha and her brother, Myles, must adjust to their father marrying Moesha’s school principal. There are a lot of interesting supporting characters in the series to help the protagonist navigate her teen and young adult years. Brandy’s star power and artistic talents have always been incredible, and just one year into her hit series, she became a beautiful Cinderella, t00.
Tamera Mowry
Tamera Mowry-Housley is not the same person as her sister, but the 1990s were full of Mowry twin power. Before Sister, Sister, Tamera and Tia were on a Full House episode where they took turns playing their real-life brother’s TV sister. Sister, Sister fans know that Tamera Campbell is the fun-loving twin who sometimes takes shortcuts to make a plan work. She is her own person, and fans love her unique Jim Carrey impression, “Alrighty then!”
Tia Mowry
Tia Mowry-Hardrict is known for shows like The Game and Family Reunion today, but she completed Tamera on Sister, Sister. Tia Landry is the responsible bookworm who wants to fit in but can’t stand getting in trouble. She has a strong moral compass and tries to keep her sister on the right track, but Tia gets caught up in twin schemes sometimes. Even though the Mowry twins have taken on more separate careers in adulthood, fans are always reminding them of their massive sitcom popularity.
Raven-Symoné
Fans of Raven-Symoné might know her best for her past and present Disney Channel programs, but the star has been in the entertainment industry for much longer than that. She famously played Denise’s stepdaughter, Olivia, on The Cosby Show. Raven-Symoné also guest-starred on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the early ’90s.
After that, the actress was introduced as Mark Cooper’s young cousin, Nicole Lee, in the second season of Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. She remained on the TGIF sitcom until it ended in 1997. Raven was already making music in the 1990s, and it wasn’t long before she would become one of Disney’s biggest stars.
Orlando Brown
Before Orlando Brown was one of Raven’s best friends on That’s So Raven, he was busy lighting up the sitcom stage in the ’90s. After his 1995 film debut in Major Payne, the actor guest-starred on shows like Coach, In the House, Sister, Sister, and The Jamie Foxx Show. He also worked with the Olsen twins on their final TGIF sitcom, Two of a Kind. Orlando Brown is certainly remembered for his role as 3J in the later years of Family Matters. He is a companion for Richie, and the Winslows take 3J in and make him a part of their family.
Tahj Mowry
Tahj Mowry stole plenty of hearts on 1990s sitcoms. After his debut guest-starring on Who’s the Boss in 1990, the actor became one of Michelle Tanner’s best (and most adorable) friends on Full House. His character, Teddy, moved away for a little while but thankfully came back to join Michelle and Denise (Jurnee Smollett) for several more episodes as the series entered its last season. Mowry is most famous for playing young genius T.J. Henderson on Smart Guy, acting alongside the other young talents who were series regulars, Essence Atkins, Jason Weaver, and Omar Gooding. Everyone also loved it when Tahj Mowry guest-starred on Sister, Sister a few times, twice as T.J.