Coverage dated July 15, 2026 to July 17, 2026

Hal Williams, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘227’ actor, dies at 91

Headline from The Columbian

LOS ANGELES — Hal Williams, a veteran actor known for his roles as a friendly neighborhood police officer on “Sanford and Son” and a hard-working patriarch on “227,” has died. He was 91.

The Columbian's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

88 articles, oldest first.

  1. Deadline

    Hal Williams Dies: Beloved ‘Sanford And Son’ Actor Was 91 (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    Veteran actor Hal Williams, who is probably best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith on Sanford and Son, died this morning at his home in Rancho Mirage, according to his representative. He was 91. As Smitty, Williams was one half of a crimefighting duo who appeared on 22 episodes of the classic…

  2. Variety

    Hal Williams, ‘227’ Star and ‘Sanford and Son’ Regular, Dies at 91 (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    Hal Williams, the TV veteran who appeared in American sitcom staples like “227” and “Sanford and Son,” has died, according to his manager. He was 91. “227” ran from 1985 to 1990, and followed a group of middle-aged tenants living together in an apartment building.

  3. The Hollywood Reporter

    Hal Williams, Actor on ‘227’ and ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 91 (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    He also played a 'Private Benjamin' drill sergeant in the film and TV versions and had a dramatic turn on 'The Waltons.'

  4. 10TV Columbus

    Hal Williams, star of '227' and 'Sanford and Son,' has died (opens 10TV Columbus)

    Published

    10TV Columbus's feed description

    Williams played Smitty, an LAPD officer able to easily cut through police jargon, on the 1970s Norman Lear sitcom Sanford and Son.

  5. People

    Hal Williams, “227” and “Sanford and Son” Star, Dies at 91 (opens People)

    Published

    People's feed description

    The actor’s other TV appearances included ‘The Waltons’ and ‘Private Benjamin’

  6. WWL New Orleans

    Hal Williams, star of '227' and 'Sanford and Son' has died (opens WWL New Orleans)

    Published

    WWL New Orleans's feed description

    Williams played Smitty, an LAPD officer able to easily cut through police jargon, on the 1970s Norman Lear sitcom Sanford and Son.

  7. FOX 8 Cleveland

    Hal Williams, 'Sanford and Son' actor dies at 91 (opens FOX 8 Cleveland)

    Published

    FOX 8 Cleveland's feed description

    Veteran actor Hal Williams, best known for his roles on the sitcoms 227 and Sanford and Son, has died at age 91, according to his manager.

  8. New York Post

    ‘Sanford and Son’ actor Hal Williams dead at 91 (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Williams' passed away on Wednesday in his Rancho Mirage, California, home, a representative for the "227" star revealed.

  9. The Columbian

    Hal Williams, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘227’ actor, dies at 91 (opens The Columbian)

    Published

    The Columbian's feed description

    LOS ANGELES — Hal Williams, a veteran actor known for his roles as a friendly neighborhood police officer on “Sanford and Son” and a hard-working patriarch on “227,” has died. He was 91.

  10. Breitbart News

    Hal Williams, '227' and 'Sanford and Son' Star, Dies at 91 (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    Veteran TV actor Hal Williams, who appeared in a host of American sitcom staples like 227 and Sanford and Son, has died. He was 91.

  11. The Guardian

    Hal Williams, actor best known for Sanford and Son and 227, dies aged 91 (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    The actor, who also appeared in The Waltons and Private Benjamin, died at his home in California Hal Williams, the actor best known for TV roles in Sanford & Son and 227, has died at the age of 91. His representative confirmed that Williams died on 15 July at his home in California .

  12. WMUR

    Hal Williams, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘227’ star, dead at 91 (opens WMUR)

    Published

    WMUR's feed description

    Veteran actor Hall Williams has died at 91. He was known for his roles in “Sanford and Son,” “227” and dozens of other television roles from the 1970s and 1980s.

  13. NJ.com / Star-Ledger

    Beloved ’227′ and ‘Sanford and Son’ star dies at 91 (opens NJ.com / Star-Ledger)

    Published

    NJ.com / Star-Ledger's feed description

    Hal Williams, best known for his roles on "227" and "Sanford and Son," has died at age 91.

  14. Forbes

    Hal Williams, ‘Sanford And Son’ And ‘227’ Star, Dies At 91 (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Hal Williams, who starred as Officer “Smitty” Smith on the 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins on the 1980s sitcom "227," has died.

  15. Washington Times

    Hal Williams, '227' and 'Sanford and Son' actor, dies at 91 (opens Washington Times)

    Published

    Washington Times's feed description

    Hal Williams, the veteran television actor best remembered for playing Officer "Smitty" Smith on "Sanford and Son" and family patriarch Lester Jenkins on "227," has died at 91.

  16. ABC 7 Los Angeles

    Hal Williams, known for roles on sitcoms 'Sanford and Son' and '227,' dies at 91 (opens ABC 7 Los Angeles)

    Published

    ABC 7 Los Angeles's feed description

    Hollywood is saying goodbye to a beloved sitcom star. Hal Williams, best known for roles on on "227" and "Sanford and Son," has died.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

Hal Williams, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘227’ actor, dies at 91 | Since Then