READ THIS NEXT: This Former Child Star Was Allowed to “Run Wild,” Co-Star Says. During the time that Family Matters was still on the air, starred with Cindy Williams in the short-lived sitcom Getting By, about a Black woman and white woman raising their families together. Since Family Matters ended in 1997, Hopkins guested or took recurring roles on shows including ER, Suddenly Susan, Psych, Getting On, 2 Broke Girls, and Dead to Me. She starred in the shows Half & Half, Are We There Yet? (based on the movie), and Partners, and appeared in films including The Love Guru and the Trancers series. Her most recent credits include The Matrix Resurrections, five episodes of The Young and the Restless, and voicing a character in an episode of Rugrats. In 2021, Hopkins reunited with Bryton James, who played Rachel’s son Richie on Family Matters, when she did her arc on The Young and the Restless. James has been on the soap opera since 2004, playing Devon Hamilton and winning two Daytime Emmy Awards for the role.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Hopkins told CBS that she’s a longtime fan of the soap opera and that joining the cast as a private investigator named Denise Tolliver was a big task to take on. “When I first read the script, I was scared but I was also excited for the opportunity to develop a character that I haven’t played before,” the actor said. Her former TV son, who she’s still close to, was instrumental in getting Hopkins the part, knowing what a huge fan she is. “I’ve been telling the writers and producers, ‘You guys have to figure out a way to get her on the show. You have to make it happen,’” James told TV Insider. Hopkins may work primarily as an actor now, but she still dabbles in music and has reunited with Orlando and Wilson as Tony Orlando and Dawn a few times. In 2005, they released a holiday album called Christmas Reunion. And they’ve performed together live again, too, including two recent tours: “Tony Orlando and Dawn: To Be with You Again” in 2015, and a Christmas-themed tour in 2018. For more celebrity updates sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Hopkins has only been married once, from 1970 to 1977, to Donald B. Allen. They welcomed one child together, a son named J.D. He’s all grown up and closer than ever with his mom, who posts photos with him on Instagram often. As far as the public knows, Hopkins is happily single these days. READ THIS NEXT: She Played Whitley on A Different World. See Jasmine Guy Now at 60.
