Silas Almond July 16th, 2026 - 12:33 AM
Hal Williams, who starred in “227” and “Sanford and Son”, has died, according to his manager and Variety. He was 91 years old.
“227” ran from 1985 to 1990 and followed a group of people living together in an apartment building. Williams’ character in the show, Lester Jenkins, was the husband of Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs (“The Jeffersons”, “Checking In”). “227” had 116 episodes over its five-season run on NBC. Jackée Harry (“Tia & Tamera”, Ladybugs) won an Emmy for best supporting actress on the show in 1987.
Williams also appeared often in “Sanford and Son” as Officer Smith. Smith was paired with Officer Hopkins, played by Howard Platt (“Flying High”, The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday). The two would do a recurring bit where Hopkins would outline a case using complicated police vocabulary, after which Smith would have to explain it in layman’s terms.
Harry posted to her Instagram about Williams’ death.
“What a gentleman. Hal always carried himself with grace, and he always had me laughing,” She said. “I’ll never forget him telling me to trade in my little Mercedes because, ‘You’re a star now!'”
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Williams’ other television credits include “On the Rocks,” “The Waltons,” “Private Benjamin” and “The Sinbad Show.” His most recent television role was on CBS’ “Matlock” remake.
