# Actor Hal Williams, star of Sanford and Son, dies aged 91

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hal-williams-dies-beloved-sanford-and-son-actor-was-91/
- Published: 2026-07-16T11:32:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-16T17:47:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/07/hal-williams-actor-dead-sanford-and-son-1236983727/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Actor Hal Williams, "Sanford and Son" and "227" star, dies at 91
- Died 15 July at his Rancho Mirage, California home
- Had a 55-year screen career across TV and film

## Summary

Hal Williams, the veteran American actor best known for playing police officer "Smitty" Smith on the classic sitcom "Sanford and Son," has died aged 91 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. His death was confirmed by his representative on 15 July. Williams enjoyed a screen career spanning some 55 years, becoming a familiar face across decades of American television and film.

As Smitty, Williams starred alongside Howard Platt in a comic police duo that appeared in 22 episodes of the 1972-77 NBC show, with his character translating his partner's stiff official jargon into plain English for stars Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson. He later reprised the role in the 1980 revival "Sanford." Beyond this signature part, Williams held substantial roles in "227" (as Lester Jenkins, opposite Marla Gibbs), "On the Rocks," "Private Benjamin" and "The Sinbad Show," plus guest spots on dozens of shows including "Good Times," "Hill Street Blues," "Magnum P.I.," "Night Court" and, most recently, the rebooted "Matlock." His film credits included appearances alongside George C. Scott, Clint Eastwood, and James Earl Jones.

## Coverage

- [Deadline: Actor Hal Williams, star of Sanford and Son, dies aged 91](https://deadline.com/2026/07/hal-williams-actor-dead-sanford-and-son-1236983727/)
- [Variety: Hal Williams, ‘227’ Star and ‘Sanford and Son’ Regular, Dies at 91](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/hal-williams-dead-227-sanford-and-son-1236812244/)

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