Rachel Crawford

Rachel Baines–Crawford
First appearance	The Mama Who Came to Dinner
Last appearance	Deck The Halls
Portrayed by	Telma Hopkins
In-universe information
Alias	Rachel B. Crawford
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Title	Sweetheart
Occupation	Story Writer (1989– 1990) Owner of Rachel's Place (1990–1992)
Family	Harriette Winslow (sister), Carl Winslow (brother in law), Eddie Winslow (nephew), Judy Winslow (niece), Laura Winslow (niece), Estelle Winslow (mother-in-law)
Spouse	Robert Crawford (deceased)
Children	Richie Crawford
Relatives	Jimmy Baines (father) Darlene Baines (mother, deceased)
Nationality	African-American

Rachel Crawford (born October 26, 1954) is a supporting character on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters. She was portrayed by Grammy Award winning singer–actress Telma Hopkins (better known as one half of the music group, Tony Orlando and Dawn) from 1989 until 1993, with Hopkins guest starring as "Rachel" from 1994 until 1997. She was the baby sister of Harriette Winslow. In real-life, Hopkins (Rachel) is two years older than Payton (Harriette) (Hopkins was born in 1948, and Payton was born in 1950).

Character background

Rachel Baines Crawford is the little sister of Harriette Winslow. As young girls, Harriette and Rachel's father walked out on them. Rachel became the "sweetheart" of the family while Harriette turned out to be the "Loudmouth, Yoda of the family". Rachel married Robert, who was never seen. He died, with no explanation, and she gave birth to her son and only child named Richie Crawford. She and her newborn son move in with her sister, Harriette, Harriette's husband, Carl Winslow, their three kids: Eddie Winslow, Laura Winslow, Judy Winslow, and Carl's mother, Estelle Winslow.

Early career

In the series' first season, Rachel's career was a fictional writer. In a first-season episode, "Short Story", Rachel writes a story with fictional characters similar to Harriette, Carl, Judy, Laura, Eddie and Estelle, in order to win a short story contest. When the family reads it, they become furious (especially Harriette) because they feel the characters were portrayed negatively. Harriette and Rachel become very emotional over old sibling rivalry issues. They eventually work through them and the entire family makes up with Rachel. Rachel's career as a writer changed after the series' first season.

Later career

At the show's second season premiere, in 1990, neighbor Steve Urkel, and Laura Winslow had jobs at a burger joint named Leroy's, but Steve causes a horrific fire that destroys the place. The episode entitled "Rachel's Place" aired on September 21, 1990, centering on Rachel opening up her own teen burger restaurant in the former Leroy's location. Rachel had hired Carl's friends from the construction business, and they build the new restaurant. Rachel's Place finally opens and she hires Laura and Steve as waitress and waiter. During Seasons 2 and 3, Rachel's Place is seen often and it becomes the most focal point with Eddie on numerous dates, Laura adapting crushes on many teenage boys (mostly, jocks). A gang of thugs called the "Purple Dragons" once came in, threating Rachel, Laura, and Steve, until Carl came in and sent them out. They came back later that night, trashed it, and beat up Eddie, who had been there earlier defending his aunt and sister. Steve went into their hangout wearing a wire and proved they were the ones who trashed "Rachel's Place" (the police couldn't arrest them, because there wasn't sufficient evidence without an actual confession).

However, as the series focal point came to be Urkel, Rachel's Place made its final appearance in the final episode of the third season, Farewell, My Laura (originally aired on May 8, 1992), where Steve writes a 1940s–esque story about him as a police detective and Laura as a criminal.

In the series' fourth season (1992–1993), Telma Hopkins' title card did not change from Season 2 and 3.

Hopkins left the show, but made occasional appearances.