Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for his role on 70s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died aged 91.
Williams, who notably played Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith on the show from 1972-1976, passed away on Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, his representative confirmed to Deadline.
His cause of death is not yet known.
As Officer Smitty, Williams helped push boundaries with one of television’s earliest Black-led sitcoms. The show starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a widower and junk dealer living in Los Angeles and Grady Demond Wilson as his son Lamont Sanford.
Williams’ onscreen police partner was Officer ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins – played by Howard Platt – with the pair famed for their skits showing Hoppy starting a scene with a complex police explanation of an investigation before Smitty would give a simpler version.
Williams previously told WKYC that the idea for the characters’ signature scenes was created in rehearsal.
Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for his role on 70s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died aged 91 – pictured 1982
Williams, who notably played Officer “Smitty” Smith on the show from 1972-1976, passed away on Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California , his representative confirmed to Deadline – pictured with Howard Platt and Red Foxx in the show
He said, ‘We did it in one time in rehearsal and the producers thought it was funny. We did it in the first or second episode and it clicked.
‘Some days, we would come to rehearsal and they didn’t have anything solid. [So the producers would say,] “Go out, take a break for two hours, and bring us something back.”
Williams would reprise his role as Smitty on five episodes of NBC’s Sanford in 1980.
He also starred as Lester Jenkins in show 227, which ran from 1985-1990.
Williams also appeared on shows including Police Story, Quincy M.E, Knots Landing, The Waltons, The Dukes of Hazzard, Hill Street Blues and Magnum P.I.
He recently played local resident Autry on Matlock with Kathy Bates.
His film appearances include Hardcore, alongside Clint Eastwood in The Rookie and playing Denzel Washington’s father in Flight.
The actor is survived by two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His son Mark, who was a broadcasting major, died on a camping trip in the Angeles National Forest at 20 years old in 1977.
In honor of his son, Williams established the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which funds degrees in Film-making, Broadcasting, Telecommunications or any of the Performing Arts.
Williams’ death comes five months after the passing of Wilson.
The beloved actor passed away in January at his home in Palm Springs, California, following complications related to cancer.
Williams is seen with Marla Gibbs in 227 in 1985
The actor is seen in his final public appearance at the ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025
Williams is seen in 1975 in series On The Rocks
His son Mark, who was a broadcasting major, died on a camping trip in the Angeles National Forest at 20 years old in 1977
His son, Demond Wilson Jr., confirmed the news to TMZ, though he did not disclose the specific type of cancer his father had been battling.
‘I loved him. He was a great man,’ Demond Jr. told the outlet.
After the show’s success, he went on to headline several television projects, including a lead role on the short-lived sitcom Baby… I’m Back!.
