Hal Williams, the veteran actor beloved by generations of TV viewers for his work on the classic 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 91.
Williams, who played Officer “Smitty” Smith on the hit series from 1972 to 1976, died Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, his representative confirmed to Deadline.
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
As Officer Smitty, Williams became part of one of television’s early Black-led sitcom landmarks. Sanford and Son starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a widowed Los Angeles junk dealer, alongside Demond Wilson as Fred’s son, Lamont Sanford.
On the show, Williams was frequently paired with Howard Platt, who played Officer “Hoppy” Hopkins. Their scenes became a recurring comic highlight, often built around Hoppy launching into a complicated police-style explanation before Smitty cut through the confusion with a much simpler translation.
Williams later told WKYC that the characters’ memorable routine first took shape during rehearsals.
Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for his role on the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at 91 — pictured in 1982
Williams, who played Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1976, died Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, his representative confirmed to Deadline — pictured with Howard Platt and Redd Foxx on 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
Grady Demond Wilson, best known for playing Lamont Sanford on the hit NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, died at the age of 79 in January; (pictured in 2016)
Wilson starred opposite Foxx as Fred Sanford’s sharp-tongued son on Sanford and Son from 1972 to 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!.
