Hal Williams, the actor best known for TV roles in Sanford & Son has died at the age of 91.

[Beringia]

Last edited Thu Jul 16, 2026, 07:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Redd Foxx died in 1991

Hal Williams, the actor best known for TV roles in Sanford & Son and 227, has died at the age of 91.

His representative confirmed that Williams died on 15 July at his home in California.

Williams didn’t start acting until he was in his 30s, after working as a postal worker and a corrections officer before moving to Los Angeles in 1968.

The actor was most widely recognised for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith in 22 episodes of Sanford and Son, a sitcom based on British TV series Steptoe and Son. It was adapted by Norman Lear and aired from 1962 to 1974.

During production of the show, Williams also continued working an overnight shift at the post office as he didn’t feel “financially able” to give up the job.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/16/hal-williams-dies