Hal Williams, the actor best known for playing Officer "Smitty" Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on 227, died on July 15 at his home in California at age 91. His representative confirmed the date of death. Williams began acting in his 30s after working as a postal worker and a corrections officer and moved to Los Angeles in 1968. He played Officer Smitty in 22 episodes of Sanford and Son, which aired from 1972 to 1977, and starred as Lester Jenkins on 227 from 1985 to 1990 alongside Marla Gibbs, Regina King, and Jackée Harry. Jackée Harry wrote that Williams "always carried himself with grace" and that he helped show America loving, present Black fathers on television. His film credits included Hardcore, Herbie Rides Again, Private Benjamin, The Rookie, and Guess Who, and he reprised his Private Benjamin role in a television adaptation. Williams also had TV appearances on The Waltons, The Sinbad Show, The Dukes of Hazzard, Knots Landing, Moesha, Hill Street Blues, and a recent Matlock remake; in 2022 he remarked that there are more Black producers, writers, and directors now and that earlier generations opened doors for them.
