Hal Williams, the veteran character actor whose warm, dependable presence became a fixture of American television, has died at 91. Best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on the hit NBC sitcom 227, Williams built a career spanning more than five decades, appearing in dozens of the shows that helped define television for Generation X.
Halroy Candis “Hal” Williams
December 14, 1934
July 15, 2026
Williams was one of those familiar faces who always made a show feel like home. As the level-headed Officer Smitty, he provided the perfect foil to Fred Sanford’s antics, while his portrayal of Lester Jenkins on 227 offered one of television’s most positive depictions of a loving husband and father. Beyond those iconic roles, he appeared in fan favorites including The Waltons, Private Benjamin, Night Court, Magnum, P.I., The Sinbad Show, and later Moesha, quietly becoming one of the era’s most reliable supporting actors.
Hal Williams left an enduring mark on generations of television viewers. He represented the kind of steady, authentic performer whose familiar smile and understated talent made America’s favorite sitcoms feel a little more like family.