Nell Carter Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper Actor Dolph Sweet Chief Carl Kanisky Actor Kari Michaelson Katie Kanisky Actor Lauri Hendler Julie Kanisky Maxwell Actor Lara Jill Miller Samantha "Sam" Kanisky Actor Howard Morton Officer Ralph Simpson Actor John Hoyt Grandpa Stanley Kanisky Actor Joey Lawrence Actor Telma Hopkins Actor Jonathan Silverman Actor Don Bovingloh Guest Star Alvernette Jimenez Guest Star Rosetta Lenoire Guest Star Fred McCarren Guest Star William Zabka Guest Star Charles Weldon Guest Star René Le Vant Guest Star Lynne Thigpen Guest Star Chip Heller Guest Star Hakeem Abdul-Samad Guest Star Arthur Julian Writer Gary H. Miller Writer Rod Parker Writer Phil Mishkin Writer Hal Cooper Director Mady Julian Writer Tom Biener Writer Ron Bloomberg Writer Rob Kaplan Writer Ron Landry Writer