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Hal Williams (1934 - 2026)

Zoneboy — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:24:46 GMT

https://deadline.com/2026/07/hal-wil...on-1236983727/

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 show. His partner, Officer �Hoppy� Hopkins � played by Howard Platt � would often lead off a scene with an �official� stiff police explanation of their investigation. Smitty would then interpret in plain English for Fred and Lamont � played by Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson, respectively.

Williams once told WKYC that the origins of the characters� schtick came in rehearsal.

�We did it in one time in rehearsal and the producers thought it was funny,� the actor recalled. �We did it in the first or second episode and it clicked. Some days, we would come to rehearsal and they didn�t have anything solid. [So the producers would say,] �Go out, take a break for two hours, and bring us something back.'�

He also appeared again as Smitty on five episodes of NBC�s Sanford in 1980, which saw Foxx return to the titular role.

Williams� career stretched for the better part of six decades and he worked steadily. Though his role on Sanford may be the most recognizable, he had even longer stints on ABC�s On the Rocks (24 episodes) and the full run of the Private Benjamin TV adaptation, on which he played the curmudgeonly Sgt. Ted Ross. Another extended stint came as Rudy Bryan on 20 episodes of The Sinbad Show.

From 1985-1990, Williams was a key part of 227, on which he played Lester Jenkins. That show was a cultural touchstone as the only other Black middle class family series on at the time besides Coby. The star-studded cast included Helen Martin, Marla Gibbs, Regina King, Jack�e Harry, Paul Winfield and others.

Throughout his 55-year career, Williams earned guest appearances on TV staples such as That Girl, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Cannon, Police Woman, Gunsmoke, Police Story, Quincy M.E, Good Times, Knots Landing, The Waltons, The Dukes of Hazzard, Webster, Hill Street Blues, Magnum P.I., Night Court, L.A. Law, Suddenly Susan, Moesha and Parks and Recreation.

Most recently, he made two special guest appearances on the rebooted Matlock starring Kathy Bates. He recurred as �Autry,� a local resident whose testimony impacts the firm�s cases.

On the big screen, Williams appeared opposite George C. Scott in Paul Schrader�s Hardcore, alongside Clint Eastwood in The Rookie, with James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams and Courtney B. Vance in Percy & Thunder, opposite Ashton Kutcher, Bernie Mac and Zoe Salda�a in Guess Who and as Denzel Washington�s father in Flight.

The actor was a longtime board member of the Los Angeles Actors� Theatre (LAAT) founded by Ralph Waite. Decades ago, Williams established the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation to provide funds to students of color pursuing college degrees in television/communications. The Foundation is named for the actor�s late son, Mark, a broadcasting major, who died on a camping trip in the Angeles National Forest at 20 years old.

Williams is survived by two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by Mark.

The Weirdest Episode of Sanford and Son

TMC — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:23:51 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a1CtvCP_yU

Quote:

Today, we're taking a look at one of the strangest stories Sanford and Son ever attempted. From the pacing to the music, to the structure, this episode feels like it belongs to an entirely different television show. And somehow, that's exactly what makes it so fascinating.

Sanford and Son Salvage Truck�what ever happened to it?

TMC — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 02:49:00 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SJO8g9JLR4

Quote:

Join me as we take a trip down memory lane to explore the iconic truck from the classic TV show Sanford and Son. The show, which aired from 1972 to 1978, was a staple of American television and starred Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford, the lovable but cantankerous junk dealer. The truck, a central part of the show's premise, was more than just a prop - it was a character in its own right. But what happened to the truck after the show ended? Was it sold, restored, or did it meet a more unfortunate fate? In this video, I'll delve into the history of the truck and uncover what became of this beloved piece of TV history. From its origins to its current whereabouts, we'll take a closer look at the story behind the Sanford and Son truck.

Sanford and Son beat All in the Family 7 times for #1 in 74-75 TV season

TVFactFan — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 05:15:59 GMT

These were the 7 eps that put the show ahead of AITF to become the #1 show in the country. It was a close race all season and AITF won by a small margin

30.2
29.6

Grady and his Lady-10/4/74

Going out of Business-10/18/74

Sanford and Niece-11/8/74

Fred's Treasury Garden...11/28/74

The Stand In-1/17/75

My Brother and In Law-2/14/75

The Stung-2/28/75

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Old TV chatter.........Redd Foxx wanted to make this change for Fred Sanford

TVFactFan — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 17:30:54 GMT

He starting putting some of his own thoughts into the script and one major change he wanted to mak was to give the Fred character a woman. Which is probably why Donna was seen more the final 2 seasons. This article is from June of 1975. Only thing I found odd is the statement about not having a woman makes you feel queer. I dont have a woman and I dont feel queer lol I dont have a woman because i cant afford one

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Sanford and Son cast members that passed away while the series was on air

TMC — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:42:52 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdCSsD1mvBQ

Quote:

We look at several cast members that passed away while the show was still on air or at a young age.

This woman would she have been Aunt Esther

TVFactFan — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:34:20 GMT

Her and Fred interactions on sanford were much funnier because she looked worst than esther. Which made fred jokes so much funnier when he was around her :lol:

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