Hal Williams: From Ohio to Hollywood | Columbus News

Columbus News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 16, 2026 · 1m

Hal Williams, the beloved actor best known for his role as Officer “Smitty” Smith on “Sanford and Son,” has died at 91. Before Hollywood stardom, he was a Columbus, Ohio native who started in local theater, then boldly quit his job in the juvenile detention system to chase acting dreams — even leaving his kids with his parents. He later starred on “227” and “The Waltons,” once delivering newspapers for The Columbus Dispatch. His fearless dedication to acting, balancing auditions with day jobs, left an indelible mark on TV history. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow…