‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘227’ Star Hal Williams Dead at 91 — Remembering the Sitcom Legend

Veteran American actor Hal Williams—best remembered as Sgt. L.C. “Smitty” on the classic sitcom “Sanford and Son,” patriarch Lester Jenkins on the hit series “227,” and Sgt. Major “Thunder” Thornton in “Private Benjamin”—has died at the age of 91, according to a statement from his manager released early Thursday. Born Halroy Candis Williams on December 14, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio, the performer carved out a six-decade Hollywood career that spanned television, film, and stage work. Williams first won national attention opposite Redd Foxx as Officer “Smitty” in more than 40 episodes of “Sanford and Son” during the 1970s. In the ’80s, he became a household name again on NBC’s “227,” starring opposite Marla Gibbs for five seasons. Big-screen audiences knew him as the stern but lovable drill sergeant in the Oscar-nominated comedy “Private Benjamin,” a role he reprised in the long-running TV adaptation. Industry tributes poured in within hours of the news. Marla Gibbs called Williams “a rock for every cast he joined,” while comedian Sinbad credited him with “showing Black fatherhood on prime-time TV long before it was trendy.” “Hal brought dignity, timing, and a laugh you could feel in your bones,” added “Sanford and Son” co-star Demond Wilson in a social-media post. No cause of death was immediately given, but representatives said the actor passed peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family. Survivors include three children and multiple grandchildren. Key career highlights • Over 120 episodic television appearances, including guest spots on “The Jeffersons,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” and “Parks and Recreation.” • Notable films: “Private Benjamin,” “Guess Who,” “Flight of the Navigator,” “Mo' Money,” and “The Rookie.” • Stage work with the Negro Ensemble Company and regional theater tours that kept him performing into his late 80s. Cultural legacy and search interest Williams’ portrayal of relatable, working-class Black men broke stereotypes and provided multi-generational representation on network TV. Streaming revivals of “Sanford and Son” and “227” have introduced him to Gen Z viewers, fueling a surge in online searches and social-media clips of his comedic timing. With his death, demand for classic episodes, trivia about his life, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes is spiking—positioning Williams as one of 2026’s most searched-for entertainment figures.