Veteran TV Actor Hal Williams, Known for Sanford and Son and 227, Dies at 91
Halroy Candis Williams, the actor best remembered for his recurring roles as Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son and as Lester Jenkins on NBC’s 227, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. A representative confirmed that Williams, 91, died of natural causes.
Born December 14, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio, Williams spent his early adult years working as a postal worker and corrections officer before making a decisive move to Hollywood in 1968. In a 2022 interview he revealed that after his divorce he set out for California in 48 hours, giving himself a three‑year deadline to succeed in acting. His first television appearances came in the early 1970s on The Jimmy Stewart Show and That Girl.
In 1972, Williams was cast as the friendly neighborhood cop Smitty on Sanford and Son, a role he played in 20 episodes of the NBC sitcom that ran until 1977. He later reprised the character in five episodes of the 1980 spinoff Sanford. Williams recalled that the writers often asked him and co‑star Howard Platt to improvise lines, which they would then bring back to the producers. The pair would sometimes meet at a local diner to discuss how to incorporate African‑American slang into the script.
Williams’ most prominent role came in 1985 when he joined the cast of 227 as the husband of Marla Gibbs’ character Mary Jenkins. The show ran for five seasons, ending in 1990, and featured a cast that included Regina King and Jackée Harry. Harry posted a tribute on Instagram, describing Williams as a “gentleman” who “always carried himself with grace” and who “helped show America what loving, present Black fathers look like.” She recalled a joke about trading in her Mercedes because “you’re a star now.”
Beyond Sanford and Son and 227, Williams appeared in several other television series. He played Harley Foster on The Waltons (1973‑1980), Lester DeMott on On the Rocks (1984‑1985), and Sergeant Ted Ross on Private Benjamin (1980). His final series‑regular role was on the short‑lived Fox comedy The Sinbad Show in 1993. He also guest‑starred on L.A. Law, Moesha, Moonlight, Mr. Mayor, The Mayor, and Parks and Recreation.
Williams’ death was reported by Deadline, Variety, People, USA Today, and Entertainment Weekly. His representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Entertainment Weekly. According to the representative, Williams had been dealing with health issues in the weeks before his passing.
He is survived by three children. His career, which spanned more than six decades, left a lasting impact on American sitcoms and on the portrayal of African‑American characters in mainstream television.
The entertainment community has begun to remember Williams for his steady presence on two of the era’s most beloved sitcoms and for his contributions to the representation of Black families on network television.
