Curly-Haired Richie from 'Family Matters' Is All Grown-up and Acts in 'The Young and the Restless'

"Young and the Restless" fans think of Bryton James as Devon, but others may remember him as the lovable Richie Crawford on the hit show “Family Matters.”

Child stars grow up, and sadly, most of them lose fame for not looking like their adorable young selves. Bryton James, who played Richie Crawford on "Family Matters," is an exception.

James, now 35, was actually born Bryton Eric McClure. He decided to go with his screen name and has been known by that name ever since.

HIS AWARD-WINNING WORK

The actor has been working on "The Young and the Restless" since 2004. In the show, he portrays billionaire Devon Hamilton.

For his role, he won a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2007. He was nominated for the same award in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2013.

HIS DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS

Just last year, he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series after two previous nominations in the category.

He was also nominated for the NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, winning the award in 2009.

He's enjoyed success as a singer, debuting his single "Ooh, the Way I Feel About You" on the German TV series "Stars 2000."

DEFENDING MICHAEL JACKSON

As a young actor, James worked with Michael Jackson, and the two became friends. In the aftermath of the 2019 documentary "Leaving Neverland" in which two men accuse Jackson of molesting them, James posted a statement:

"Over our 15-year friendship, neither I or my family ever witnessed @michaeljackson conduct himself inappropriately with a minor, or anyone for that matter."

STAYING CLOSE TO HIS CO-STARS

James has remained close to many of the fellow actors he's worked with, including the late Kristoff St. John. The late actor played his on-screen dad, and James was shaken by the loss of his mentor.

James joined the cast and fans of their hit show in mourning his sudden death, which was discovered to be a result of hypertrophic heart disease. He died on February 3, 2019, after he was discovered at home in LA by the police.

REUNITING WITH TELMA HOPKINS

Just this year, James was reunited with Telma Hopkins on "The Young and the Restless." Hopkins played his mom over three decades ago on "Family Matters."

Now, they'll share the same scenes, as Hopkins will play a private detective named Denise Tolliver, who reveals details about the past of Devon's love interest Amanda Sinclair. This is the first time they'd be working together since 1998.

FEELING LIKE HOME

Speaking about the reunion, Hopkins revealed that working with James "feels like home." James only had nice things to say as well, sharing:

"To step on my first stage with her and have Telma be the one to make me feel so comfortable and at home back then, it is very special.”

Aside from acting, he's enjoyed success as a singer, debuting his single "Ooh, the Way I Feel About You" on the German TV series "Stars 2000."

He's also performed live on several international networks and performed with Michael Jackson at an event for "United We Stand," raising money for 9/11 victims.