Hal Williams, a prolific actor best known for his roles as Officer "Smitty" Smith on the sitcom “Sanford and Son” and as Lester Jenkins on the NBC series “227,” died Wednesday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 91. The news was confirmed by his representative, Zna Portlock Houston.

Born Halroy Candis Williams on December 14, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio, Williams initially worked as a juvenile corrections officer before moving to Hollywood in 1968 to pursue acting. Within three years, he landed roles on popular television series including “Sanford and Son,” “The Waltons,” and “Harry O.” Throughout his career, Williams appeared on a wide range of shows such as “Kung Fu,” “Good Times,” “Roots: The Next Generation,” “The Jeffersons,” “Magnum P.I.” and “The Sinbad Show,” becoming a familiar face on American television.

Williams gained recognition for portraying Officer "Smitty" Smith from 1972 to 1977, a role he reprised in the sequel “Sanford.” His character was known for translating police jargon into vernacular understood by the show's main characters, a dynamic that Williams noted often involved improvisation drawn from his own experiences and those of his co-stars.

He is perhaps most celebrated for his role as Lester Jenkins on “227,” which aired from 1985 to 1990. The series was widely regarded for its positive depiction of a middle-class Black family, portraying an intact household that addressed social issues with nuance. Williams described the show as setting a new standard for television portrayals of Black families, paving the way for future series to explore similar themes.

Colleague Marla Gibbs, who played his on-screen wife Mary Jenkins, paid tribute to Williams, highlighting his generosity and dedication to the arts community. Gibbs recalled their longstanding professional relationship, which began with the original stage production at Crossroads Theater before the show transitioned to television. She emphasized Williams’s commitment to supporting young artists and fostering a sense of community.

Fellow cast member Jackée Harry praised Williams on social media for his grace and humor, noting his impact on the representation of Black fathers as loving and present on television. Actress Holly Robinson Peete also honored Williams’s warm presence and lasting influence on audiences.

Williams’s most recent television work included a guest role on the CBS reboot of “Matlock.” He is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, and was preceded in death by one son.

Williams’s career spanned multiple decades during which he became a respected figure both onscreen and off, recognized for his professional talent as well as his role as a cultural touchstone in representing positive images of Black fatherhood on television.