Hal Williams’ representative told TMZ that the actor died of natural causes on Wednesday (15.07.26), at home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Sanford and Son actor Hal Williams has died aged 91.
The screen star is most famous for playing Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith on the beloved sitcom in the 70’s, and also made a name for himself starring as Lester Jenkins on the sitcom 227 in the 1980s.
Williams’ representative told TMZ that the actor died of natural causes on Wednesday (15.07.26), at home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Following news of his death, 227 co-star Jackée Harry paid tribute in a post on Instagram, sharing a snap of herself and Williams and writing: “What a gentleman. Hal always carried himself with grace, and he always had me laughing. I’ll never forget him telling me to trade in my little Mercedes because, ‘You’re a star now!’”
“He was also a stand-up guy who believed Black fathers on TV should be loving, present, and compassionate. He helped show America what that looked like.
“I’m so lucky to have worked closely with him. Rest in peace, my dear friend.”
While Holly Robinson Peete shared a picture of herself with Williams, writing: “Rest in peace, Hal. What a spectacular and impactful life you made
“You were one of the greats…a true television legend, but an even greater human being. Thank you for the laughter, the grace, and the example you gave all of us.
“You will be deeply, sorely missed.”
Williams was a postal worker and corrections officer before he headed to Hollywood in 1968 in a bid to forge an acting career for himself.
He told Get TV: “I sat down after getting divorced and said, ‘What do I really want to try to do before the maker comes and gets me?’ And it was acting. So, I took the plunge and drove to California in 48 hours. I gave myself three years.”
Early TV appearances came in sitcoms such as The Jimmy Stewart Show and That Girl, before he landed the role in Sanford and Son – appearing in 20 episodes opposite Howard Platt as Officer ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins.
Williams also reprised his role as Smitty in the NBC spinoff Sanford in 1980, for five episodes of the show.
Other recurring roles came in The Waltons, in which he played Harley Foster from 1973 to 1980, while he also landed parts in shows such as S.W.A.T., Quincy and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Williams went on to play Jenkins in 227, which ran for five seasons ending in May 1990, while movie roles included playing Drill Sergeant L.C. ‘Ted’ Ross in 1980’s Private Benjamin opposite Goldie Hawn.
His last on-screen appearance came in two episodes of Kathy Bates’ legal drama series Matlock, in 2024 and 2025.
Williams is survived by his three children.
Sanford and Son’s Hal Williams dies aged 91
