Hal Williams, ‘Sanford & Son’ and ‘227’ Actor, Dies at 91
What To Know
- Hal Williams, known for his roles on Sanford and Son and 227, died at age 91 from natural causes.
- Williams had a prolific career spanning television and film, with notable roles in The Waltons, Private Benjamin, and The Sinbad Show.
- He continued acting into his later years, recently appearing on the Matlock rival.
Hal Williams, the veteran actor who played Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on the NBC sitcom 227, has died. He was 91.
Williams’ manager, Zna Portlock Houston, told TMZ that the actor passed away from natural causes on Wednesday morning (July 15) at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He had recently had some health issues.
Born on December 14, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio, Williams worked as a postal worker and corrections officer before moving to Hollywood in 1968 to pursue an acting career. His early roles included appearances in the 1970s sitcoms The Jimmy Stewart Show and That Girl before landing the recurring role as friendly neighborhood cop Smitty on Sanford and Son.
His other notable roles included Harley Foster in The Waltons, Lester DeMott on the ABC sitcom On the Rocks, and Sergeant Ted Ross on the CBS sitcom Private Benjamin. He also reprised his role of Officer Smitty for the Sanford spinoff between 1980 and 1981.
Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams on ‘227.; © Columbia Pictures Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection
In 1985, Williams landed a main role as Lester Jenkins on the NBC sitcom 227, playing husband to Marla Gibbs‘ Mary Jenkins. The show ran for five seasons, ending on May 6, 1990. Following his run on 227, Williams would join the main cast of The Sinbad Show, playing Rudy Bryan.
His film credits include Herbie Rides Again, On the Nickel, The Rookie, The Cherokee Kid, Guess Who, and more.
While his acting work slowed down after the late 90s, Williams recently returned to the screen playing himself in a 2019 episode of A Black Lady Sketch Show. He also had a two-episode run on CBS’ Matlock revival in 2024.
Reminiscing on his career in a 2022 interview with Columbus Monthly, Williams said, “I’ve prided myself on choosing a profession where you don’t have to stop working. You just get older as you work.”
Williams was married and divorced twice. He is survived by his three children.
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The Jeffersons...Weezy's French classmate Michele (1977) & Kent Tobin (1985).
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So nice to hear he most likely died of heart problems and didn;t linger. I do remember him on Sanford and Son.
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He is survived by two children. His son Mark died in his 20's and is the reason Hal started the Mark K.A Williams scholarship fund.
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