Hal Williams, the unforgettable face of classic television, dies at 91

Hal Williams spent six decades making television audiences laugh, played a beloved cop, a patient husband, and a tough drill sergeant, and now fans everywhere are honoring a career that quietly shaped classic American sitcoms for generations. Williams passed away Wednesday, July 15th, from natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, according to his manager. He was 91. Born Halroy Candice Williams in Columbus, Ohio in 1934, he didn't actually pursue acting until his 30s, after working as a juvenile correctional officer and in child family services first. In a past interview, he recalled asking himself what he really wanted to try before. In his words, the maker came to get him, and that honest question led him straight into community theater and eventually a full-screen career. His breakout role came in 1972, playing Officer Smitty Smith on Sanford and Son, the friendly neighborhood cop who translated official police jargon into plain English for Fred and Lamont, played by Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson. He appeared in 22 episodes of the classic Norman Lear sitcom, later reprising Smitty on the spin-off series Sanford. During those years, Williams was working nights at the LAX post office while filming during the day, only stepping away from that job once his kids were grown, and he finally felt financially secure enough to act full-time. He also starred opposite Goldie Hawn in 1980s, Private Benjamin as a tough but caring drill sergeant, a role he continued for three seasons on the CBS sitcom adaptation. Then in 1985, Williams landed his most beloved role yet, playing Lester Jenkins on 227 alongside Marla Gibbs, and a young Regina King, appearing in all five seasons and 116 episodes of the beloved NBC series. His additional credits span The Waltons, The Sinbad Show, Guess Who?, and even a recent guest turn on CBS's Matlock reboot, proving his talent never really slowed down. Colleagues and fans are remembering him today as one of television's most dependable warm-hearted character actors, someone who brought genuine humanity to every role he stepped into. Rest in peace, Hal Williams. Share your favorite memory of him below.