Veteran actor Hal Williams, who is best known for his iconic portrayal of Officer ‘Smitty’ Smith on the classic sitcom ‘Sanford and Son,’ has passed away at the age of 91. Williams’ representative confirmed the news of his passing, which occurred at his home in Rancho Mirage.

As Smitty, Williams formed a crime-fighting duo with Officer ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins, played by Howard Platt. The two characters appeared in 22 episodes of the show, which was known for its hilarious and often absurd antics. Smitty’s role was to interpret the official police explanations provided by Hoppy, making the show’s humor even more accessible to its audience.

Williams once shared with WKYC that the origins of the characters’ unique dynamic came about during a single rehearsal. The producers were so impressed with their chemistry that they decided to incorporate it into the show’s script. This decision proved to be a stroke of genius, as the characters quickly became fan favorites.

Williams’ career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in a wide range of TV shows and films. Some of his notable roles include 24 episodes of ‘On the Rocks,’ the full run of the ‘Private Benjamin’ TV adaptation, and 20 episodes of ‘The Sinbad Show.’ He also had a significant stint on the popular sitcom ‘227,’ playing the role of Lester Jenkins from 1985 to 1990.

In addition to his work on television, Williams also appeared in several films, including ‘Hardcore,’ ‘The Rookie,’ and ‘Percy & Thunder.’ He most recently made two special guest appearances on the rebooted ‘Matlock’ series, playing the role of ‘Autry,’ a local resident whose testimony has a significant impact on the firm’s cases.

Williams was also a dedicated philanthropist, establishing the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation to provide financial support to students of color pursuing college degrees in television and communications. The foundation was named in honor of his late son, Mark, who tragically passed away at the age of 20 while on a camping trip in the Angeles National Forest.

Williams is survived by two children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His legacy as a talented actor and devoted philanthropist will be remembered for years to come.