'Sanford and Son' actor Hal Williams dead at 91

NPR | By Chloe Veltman

Published July 16, 2026 at 4:04 PM CDT

The actor Hal Williams has died. He was best known for playing Officer "Smitty" Smith in the 1970s hit TV show Sanford and Son. He was 91.

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Chloe Veltman

Chloe Veltman is a correspondent on NPR's Culture Desk.

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