Beloved ‘Family Matters’ Star Asks for Prayers in Birthday Video Amid Mystery Health Battle

Jo Marie Payton is celebrating another trip around the sun.

The Family Matters alum turned 76 on Monday, August 3, and marked the occasion with a video shared to Instagram one day later.

Dressed in a black shirt with an animal print blouse over it, Payton addressed her 41,000 followers.

“Thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes, and keep praying for me,” she said in the video.

The actress, who is known for portraying the family matriarch Harriette Baines Winslow on the popular ’90s sitcom, revealed in the caption that she was “glad to be” 76.

In April, Payton shared a video to Facebook explaining that she has been going through a health battle. In the clip, she revealed she couldn’t walk and couldn’t talk earlier in the year, as Closer previously reported.

While the Proud Family voice actress did not reveal the exact illness or condition she’s been dealing with, fans became concerned after she stopped posting regularly online shortly after reuniting with Family Matters costar Reginald VelJohnson on The Sherri Shepherd Show.

The last Instagram post she made was on Halloween last year, so her return to Instagram this week was met with an outpouring of support, with fans commenting on how well she looks.

“Bless your heart for being 76!! Never thought you were that old. I hope God blesses you with strength and health,” one Instagram user wrote.

“I definitely need an instructions manual on how to look so young at your age. You don’t look a day over 29!!” another reacted.