Sanford and Son star Hal Williams dies at 91

Veteran television actor Hal Williams, best known for his roles as Officer "Smitty" Smith on the classic sitcom Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on 227, has died at the age of 91. His representative confirmed he passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, on July 15, 2026. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

Williams’s career spanned more than five decades, establishing him as a familiar and respected character actor across numerous television series and films. He first gained widespread recognition for his recurring role on Sanford and Son, which aired from 1972 to 1977. As Officer Smitty, he was the partner of Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins, played by Howard Platt. The duo’s comedic dynamic, where Smitty would translate Hoppy’s police jargon or misguided slang for the show’s main characters, became a beloved running gag.

From 1985 to 1990, Williams played a central role as Lester Jenkins, the grounded husband of Marla Gibbs’s character, on the NBC sitcom 227. The show, which also starred Regina King and Jackée Harry, ran for five seasons and cemented Williams’s place in television history. His extensive list of television credits includes appearances on The...