Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for his role as Officer "Smitty" Smith on the 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son," has died at the age of 91. Williams passed away on Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, his representative confirmed to Deadline.
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Williams played Officer "Smitty" Smith from 1972 to 1976 in one of television's earliest Black-led sitcoms, starring Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford and Grady Demond Wilson as his son Lamont Sanford.
Williams reprised his role as Smitty on five episodes of NBC's "Sanford" in 1980. He previously told WKYC that the signature scenes for his character were developed during rehearsals, with producers often encouraging the cast to create material during breaks.
Following "Sanford and Son," Williams took on a lead role in the short-lived sitcom "Baby… I'm Back!."
Williams is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His son Mark, who was studying broadcasting, died in a camping accident in 1977 at the age of 20. In his son's memory, Williams established the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation to support students pursuing degrees in filmmaking, broadcasting, telecommunications, or performing arts.
Williams' death follows that of Grady Demond Wilson, who passed away in January due to complications from cancer. His son, Demond Wilson Jr., confirmed the news to TMZ.