Hal Williams, Beloved TV Actor, Dies at 91

Veteran actor Halroy Candis Williams died on July 15 2026 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. His manager, Zna Portlock Houston, confirmed to TMZ that Williams was 91 and had been dealing with recent health issues. A representative later told the press the death was from natural causes.

Hal Williams Dead: Sanford and Son, 227 Actor Dies at 91

Born December 14 1934 in Columbus, Ohio, Williams worked as a juvenile-correction officer, in child-family services, and as a postal worker before moving to Los Angeles in 1968. He began acting in his 30s, saying, “*I sat down after getting divorced and said, ‘What do you really want to try before the maker comes and gets me?’ And it was acting*.” He gave himself three years to break into the industry and landed his first steady television work by 1970.

‘Sanford and Son’ And ‘227’ Star Hal Williams Dead at 91

• 1972–1977 – Officer “Smitty” Smith on *Sanford & Son* (22 episodes).

Deadline Hollywood

• 1980–1981 – Reprised Smitty on the spinoff *Sanford*.

Deadline Hollywood

• 1985–1990 – Lester Jenkins on *227* (115 episodes).

The St. Louis American

• 1973–1980 – Recurring role as Harley Foster on *The Waltons*.

Hal Williams Dead: Sanford and Son, 227 Actor Dies at 91

• 1980 – Drill-sergeant L.C. Ross in the film *Private Benjamin* and later the TV adaptation (1981-83).

The St. Louis American

• 1993-1994 – Rudy Bryan on *The Sinbad Show*.

USA Today

• Guest spots on *Good Times*, *Gunsmoke*, *Night Court*, *Magnum P.I.*, *L.A. Law*, *Moesha*, *Parks and Recreation*, among others.

Hollywood Reporter

• Film credits include *Hardcore* (1979), *The Rookie* (1990), *Guess Who* (2005) and *Flight* (2012).

USA Today

• 2000s-2020s – Continued work, ending with two guest appearances on the *Matlock* reboot (2024-25).

Hal Williams Dead: Sanford and Son, 227 Actor Dies at 91

• 91 years old at death.

Actor Hal Williams Dies At 91

• 22 episodes of *Sanford & Son*; 115 episodes of *227*.

Beloved ‘Sanford & Son’ and ‘227’ Star Hal Williams Dies at 91

• 55-year acting career spanning 11 television series and dozens of films.

‘Sanford and Son’ And ‘227’ Star Hal Williams Dead at 91

• Founder of the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation, supporting students of color in television and communications.

New Tang Dynasty

Williams was praised for portraying “counter-stereotypical” Black fathers and authority figures, helping to broaden representation on network television. Co-star Jackée Harry noted his belief that Black fathers should be “loving, present, and compassionate.” His scholarship and long-term board service at the Los Angeles Actors’ Theatre further extended his influence beyond the screen.

The Guardian

• Zna Portlock Houston (manager) confirmed the death and recent health concerns.

Actor Hal Williams Dies At 91

• A spokesperson for Williams’ estate reiterated the natural-cause determination.

People Magazine

• Marla Gibbs (co-star on *227*) posted on Instagram, calling him her “TV husband” and recalling recent conversations.

People Magazine

Williams’ 1975 sitcom On the Rocks was canceled after viewers wrote letters complaining that the show made prison “look like too much fun,” illustrating that not all of his projects were universally embraced.

Hollywood Reporter

While the manager cited “recent health issues,” the estate’s statement described the death as “natural causes.” No autopsy details have been released, leaving the precise medical cause unconfirmed.

Hal Williams Dead: Sanford and Son, 227 Actor Dies at 91

• “What a gentleman,” — Jackée Harry, Instagram tribute

The Guardian

• “He was also a stand-up guy who believed Black fathers on TV should be loving, present, and compassionate,” — Jackée Harry, Instagram tribute

Hollywood Reporter

• “Because the humor was so real and wasn’t artificial, and it was just generally funny, funny, funny, one laugh after another all the time,” — Hal Williams, WKYC interview (July 10 2026)

People Magazine

• “We did it one time in rehearsal and the producers thought it was funny, so the writers started asking us to bring us stuff that was current,” — Hal Williams, on *Sanford & Son*

People Magazine

• “50 years that I’ve been lucky enough to do what I do. And 11 television series, that’s unheard of, really.” — Hal Williams, interview

People Magazine

• “I sat down after getting divorced and said, ‘What do I really want to try to do before the maker comes and gets me?’ And it was acting,” — Hal Williams, interview

Hollywood Reporter

Williams’ death marks the end of a five-decade presence that helped shape the portrayal of Black families on American television.

Complex