Hal Williams, Beloved TV Vet Behind Smitty and Lester Jenkins, Dies at 91

Hal Williams, the veteran actor best known for playing Officer Smitty Smith on Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on 227, died at 91 in his Rancho Mirage home; TMZ cites natural causes and his rep did not immediately respond. Born in December 1934 in Columbus, Ohio, he built a six-decade career with roles on The Waltons, Roots: The Next Generation, Private Benjamin, and later credits on A Black Lady Sketch Show and Matlock. He is survived by two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his eldest son Mark died at 20 in an Angeles National Forest camping accident. Williams moved to Los Angeles in 1968 after working as a postal worker, corrections officer and social worker to pursue acting.