Aunt Rachel Crawford, portrayed by Telma Hopkins, eventually left the show “Family Matters” to pursue a singing career. Her character was written out by having her move to Detroit to manage a music group.
Rachel Crawford is the sister of Harriette Winslow, one of the main characters on “Family Matters.” Introduced in the first season, Rachel is a widow with a young son named Richie. She is known for her singing talent and eventually opens a restaurant called Rachel’s Place.
As the series progressed, Aunt Rachel’s appearances became less frequent. Telma Hopkins, who played Rachel, had a background in music as a member of the 1970s pop group Tony Orlando and Dawn before she turned to acting. In the show, Rachel’s diminishing role was explained by her decision to manage a music group in Detroit, which allowed her to use her musical talents and provided a plausible reason for her character to be off-screen.
The character’s departure was not heavily focused on within the show, and after leaving, she made only occasional appearances. “Family Matters” continued to focus on the Winslow family and the ever-popular Steve Urkel, played by Jaleel White. Rachel’s absence was one of several cast changes throughout the show’s nine-season run, which aired from 1989 to 1998.