Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” was one of the most beloved Black family sitcoms of its time, featuring a multigenerational, working-class family navigating through life’s ups and downs with humor, love, and faith. Of course, it could only be done because the cast of “House of Payne” was hilarious!

The show’s cast brought to life unforgettable characters that left a lasting impression on viewers. Have you wondered what happened to these talented actors since the show’s end?

In this post, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and update you on where the top actors from ‘House of Payne’ are now.

About House of Payne

‘House of Payne’ is a classic American sitcom created and produced by Tyler Perry. The show first premiered in syndication on June 21, 2006, and ran for eight seasons until 2012. The series follows the lives of the Payne family, a multigenerational, working-class family living in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show’s themes revolve around family values, love, faith, and humor, and it addresses social issues such as addiction, custody battles, and relationships. The show’s success led to two spin-off series, ‘The Paynes’ and ‘Assisted Living,’ which premiered in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

With its talented cast, relatable storylines, and humor, “House of Payne” has become an enduring classic.

What is the cast of ‘House of Payne’ up to now?

The cast of ‘House of Payne’ had a unique job contributing to the show’s success. Here’s a breakdown of how the top actors’ characters ended on the show and their success since then:

LaVan Davis (Curtis Payne)

Curtis Payne is the show’s main protagonist and is often referred to as Uncle Curtis. LaVan Davis won an NAACP Image Award in 2008 for Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series for this role.

Davis has been in the entertainment industry for a long time, and most of his notable credits are Tyler Perry’s works, including ‘Daddy’s Little Girls,’ ‘Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns,’ and the stage plays ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ and ‘Madea Goes to Jail.’  

Cassi Davis (Ella Payne)

Cassi Davis portrays Ella Payne as Curtis’s wife, a Christian, and a stay-at-home mother. She was known as the voice of reason in the chaotic Payne household.

In her personal life, Davis married her longtime boyfriend, Kerry Patton, in 2017. The couple had been dating since 2007. In 2020, Davis revealed that she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which affects the facial muscles and causes temporary paralysis.

Besides ‘House of Payne,’ Davis has also appeared in several Tyler Perry productions, including ‘Madea’s Farewell Play Tour,’ ‘A Madea Family Funeral,’ and ‘A Madea Homecoming.’

Allen Payne (C.J. Payne)

C.J. Payne, played by Allen Payne, went through many ups and downs in the show, including a divorce and a custody battle.

In 2018, Payne reprised his role as C.J. Payne on the television series ‘The Paynes,’ a spin-off of the original series. In addition to his work on television, Payne has also appeared in several films throughout his career, including ‘The Perfect Storm’ and ‘Jason’s Lyric.’

In 2022, Payne starred in the stage adaptation of ‘New Jack City: Live on Stage,’ produced by playwright Je’Caryous Johnson. Payne reprised his role as “Gee Money” from the original 1991 film ‘New Jack City.’ The play premiered in February 2022 and received positive reviews for Payne’s performance.

Demetria McKinney (Janine Payne)

Janine Payne’s character struggled with addiction and eventually left the show to get treatment. McKinney has since continued to work in TV, starring in shows like “Saints & Sinners” and “The Quad.”

Apart from being an actress, Demetria McKinney is also a talented singer-songwriter. In 2017, she released her debut album “Officially Yours,” which received critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.

The album spawned three successful singles, “Is This Love,” “Happy,” and “Easy,” with the latter peaking at #4 on the Adult R&B Songs chart.

Larramie “Doc” Shaw (Malik Payne)

Malik Payne, played by Larramie “Doc” Shaw, was the family’s youngest member and dealt with typical teenage problems on the show. Since then, Shaw has continued to act in movies like ‘An American Werewolf in London’ and appeared in three episodes of ‘The Paynes.’

China Anne McClain (Jazmine Payne)

In 2018, China Anne McClain reprised her role from the cast of “House of Payne” as Jazmine Payne in a new show, “The Paynes”, a spin-off of “House of Payne”. That same year, she also began playing the role of Jennifer Pierce in the superhero series Black Lightning on The CW.

McClain’s talents extend beyond acting; in 2019, she and her girl group changed their name to Thriii and performed at Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist. In August of that year, she reprised her role as Uma in Descendants 3.

In 2020, McClain’s fans were excited to learn that Tyler Perry’s House of Payne would be revived on BET, with McClain returning to her role as Jazmine Payne. That same year, she was part of the Netflix comedy Hubie Halloween cast.

Although McClain left Black Lightning in March 2021, and her role was recast, she later returned to reprise her role in the series finale.

Lance Gross (Calvin Payne)

Calvin Payne (played by Lance Gross) is Ella and Curtis’s only son in the TBS/BET iteration of the series. Calvin spends much time working with Curtis at the firehouse until he becomes a partner at the barbershop and ultimately finds his calling working in the public relations department for the local fire department. Gross has continued to act, starring in shows like “Tyler Perry’s The Oval” and “MacGyver.”

Keshia Knight Pulliam (Miranda Lucas Payne)

Miranda Lucas Payne, portrayed by Keshia Knight Pulliam, eventually married Calvin on the show. Since then, Pulliam has continued to act in shows like “The Cosby Show,” “The Have and the Have Nots,” and “Medea Goes to Jail.”

What’s new with House of Payne?

“House of Payne” may have concluded its original run in 2012, but the beloved series has seen new life in recent years. Here’s a breakdown of what’s been happening with the show:

The Paynes

In 2018, a spin-off series titled “The Paynes” premiered on Oprah Winfrey Network. The show follows the retired couple Curtis and Ella Payne navigating new challenges in Florida. The show was greenlit for 38 episodes and ran for two seasons.

Revival on BET

In 2020, a revival of “House of Payne” was officially announced and premiered its ninth season on BET in September of that year. The show was renewed for its tenth and eleventh seasons in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

The Twelfth Season

On February 28, 2023, it was announced that the twelfth season would premiere on March 22, 2023. The announcement of the twelfth season of ‘House of Payne’ came as a pleasant surprise for show fans, who had been eagerly waiting for news about its return.

The return of ‘House of Payne’ has been met with excitement from fans who have been eager to catch up with their favorite characters. The ongoing success of ‘House of Payne,’ with a thriving spin-off and numerous renewed seasons, is a testament to the show’s enduring legacy.

The show’s creators and producers have been tight-lipped about what fans can expect from the upcoming season, but rumors have been circulating about possible guest stars and plot twists.

Some fans have speculated that the season will focus on the Payne family’s new ventures, including Curtis’ barbeque business and Janine’s work in public relations.

From Payne to Fame

Tyler Perry’s‘House of Payne’ has become a classic TV show that resonates with audiences today. The show has left a lasting impression on viewers with its relatable characters, family values, and humor. While much of the cast has found success outside the show, fans are excited to see them reunite for Season 12.

If you’re feeling nostalgic for “House of Payne,” be sure to check out the spin-off series ‘The Paynes’ and catch up on the show’s recent revival seasons. Plus, if you’re looking for more great movies and TV shows, check out our other reviews and deep dives into Black media.

We hope you enjoyed revisiting the world of “House of Payne” with us!