Hal Williams Biography – Hal Williams was born on 14 December 1938 in the United States. He was an beloved American actor.
He was famous for his warm, steady and versatile performances in Films. He starred as Lester Jenkins in the popular sitcom 227 from year 1985 to 1990.
Hal Williams passed away on 15 July 2026 at the age of 87.
Hal Williams Biography
Hal Williams was born on December 14, 1934, in the United States. He was an American actor.
He was best known for playing Officer Smith (“Smitty”) in the TV series Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1976. He also played Harley Foster in The Waltons from 1973 to 1980.
From 1985 to 1990, he starred as Lester Jenkins, the family patriarch, in the NBC sitcom 227. Hal Williams also appeared in several popular films.
He passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 91.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hal Williams |
| Date of Birth | December 14, 1938 |
| Place of Birth | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Date of Death | July 15, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 87 Years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor |
| Known For | Sanford and Son, 227, The Waltons |
| Years Active | 1970–2025 |
Hal Williams Family
Hal was married to Dr. Renee Himes from 1978 to 1984. The couple later divorced. Hal kept most of his personal life out of the public eye.
He was best known for playing Lester Jenkins on the hit NBC sitcom 227. On the show, Marla Gibbs played his wife, and Regina King played their daughter.
Hal Williams passed away at the age of 91 and is remembered as one of television’s most respected character actors.
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Former Wife | Dr. Renee Himes (Married 1978–1984) |
| Children | Three |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Known Family Life | Kept his personal life private throughout his career |
Hal Williams Career
Hal began acting in community theater in Ohio during the early 1960s. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a postal worker and a corrections officer.
In 1968, he moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career. He started acting full-time in 1970. In 1973, he appeared in the TV series Kung Fu as Caleb, a friend of Caine.
He returned to the same role in 1975. Hal became well known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith in Sanford and Son and its sequel series Sanford.
In 1979, he appeared in the film Hardcore. The following year, he played Drill Sergeant Ted Ross in the movie Private Benjamin.
He later played the same character in the Private Benjamin television series. From 1985 to 1990, he starred as Lester Jenkins in the popular sitcom 227.
During the 1990s, he appeared in The Sinbad Show and The Cherokee Kid. Hal Williams often played police officers and detectives in movies and TV shows.
In 2005, he played Howard Jones in the comedy film Guess Who. In 2024, he appeared as Autry in the TV series Matlock. He returned to the same role in 2025.
Hal Williams Net Worth
Hal had an estimated net worth of $1 million. He earned most of his income from his acting career in television and films.
Hal was best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith in the sitcom Sanford and Son. He also became popular for his role as Lester Jenkins in the NBC sitcom 227.
His acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
He appeared in many popular TV shows. He also seen in The Waltons, Private Benjamin, The Sinbad Show, Moesha and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
Hal also acted in many films Like Hardcore, Private Benjamin, The Rookie, Guess Who and Flight. He built a successful and respected career as a character actor although he was not usually the main star.
His memorable performances made him a familiar face to television audiences for many years.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $1 Million |
| Main Income Source | Acting in television and films |
| Career Length | More than 50 years |
| Popular TV Shows | Sanford and Son, 227, The Waltons, Private Benjamin, Moesha, The Sinbad Show |
| Popular Movies | Hardcore, Private Benjamin, The Rookie, Guess Who, Flight |
Hal Williams Early Life
Hal was born on December 14, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Before becoming an actor, he worked as a postal worker and a corrections officer.
He began acting in community theater in Ohio during the early 1960s. In the late 1960s, he moved to Hollywood to build a professional acting career.
He started getting television roles in the early 1970s. Some of his early TV appearances were in That Girl, The Jimmy Stewart Show, and Kung Fu.
These early roles helped him become a reliable and respected actor in television. He also benefited from the growing number of acting opportunities for Black performers during that time.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 14, 1938 |
| Birthplace | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| Early Jobs | Postal worker and corrections officer |
| Started Acting | Community theater in Ohio during the early 1960s |
| Moved to Hollywood | 1968 |
| Early TV Shows | That Girl, The Jimmy Stewart Show, Kung Fu |
Hal Williams Education
Hal was raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from East High School. After finishing school, he developed his acting skills by performing in community theater in Ohio.
In 1968, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a professional acting career. His hard work eventually led to roles in popular TV shows such as Sanford and Son and 227.
| Education | Details |
|---|---|
| High School | East High School, Columbus, Ohio |
| Acting Training | Community theater in Ohio |
| Career Preparation | Gained acting experience before moving to Hollywood |
Hal Williams Personal Life
Hal had three children. He kept most of his personal life private. Throughout his career, he became a familiar and respected actor on television.
He was best known for his roles in Sanford and Son and 227. Hal Williams is remembered for his long and successful career in television entertainment.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Children | Three |
| Personality | Private and humble |
| Known For | Long and successful television career |
| Legacy | Remembered as a respected character actor with memorable television performances |
Hal Williams Awards
Hal received several honors during his long acting career. He was famous for both his acting talent.
He was also widely famous for his role as Lester Jenkins. Hal Williams is known as an talented actor. He made a lasting impact on television and beyond.
| Award | Details |
|---|---|
| Television Success | Starred in hit sitcoms Sanford and Son and 227 |
| Career Achievement | Worked successfully in television and film for over five decades |
| Industry Reputation | Known as one of television’s most respected character actors |
| Legacy | Remembered for his versatile performances and lasting impact on American television |
FAQ – Hal Williams Biography
1. Who was Hal Williams?
Ans. Hal Williams was an American actor best known for his roles in Sanford and Son and 227.
2. When was Hal Williams born?
Ans. Hal was born on December 14, 1938.
3. What was Hal Williams famous for?
Ans. He was famous for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith in Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins in 227.
4. What was Hal Williams net worth?
Ans. Hal Williams net worth is estimated around $1 million.
5. When did Hal Williams pass away?
Ans. Hal Williams passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 87.
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