Hal Williams, a veteran American television actor best known for his roles on NBC sitcoms “Sanford and Son” and “227,” has died at age 91. Multiple outlets report that he portrayed Officer “Smitty” Smith on “Sanford and Son” and Lester Jenkins on “227.” Variety and other publications cite his manager or representative in confirming his death.
Several sources place his death at his home in California. The New York Post and The Guardian specify he died at his residence in Rancho Mirage, while The Guardian adds that his representative confirmed the date as 15 July. TVLine also reports that he died on Wednesday.
Beyond those two landmark series, some accounts note Williams appeared in other television work, including “The Waltons” and “Private Benjamin.” Across the coverage, there is agreement on his key screen credits—“Sanford and Son,” “227,” and the characters he played—and on his age at death.
