American TV star Hal Williams dies: His last Instagram post, celebrating a reunion with crew of old sitcom goes viral- ‘Feeling…’

Legendary American sitcom star Hal Williams is no more. He was 91. The actor, who was best known for playing Officer “Smitty” Smith in Sanford and Son and Lester Jenkins in 227, passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, on Wednesday, as per a Sun report.

On the event of his demise, his last post on Instagram have gone viral. In his last Insta post, the veteran actor was seen enjoying a reunion with the crew of his hit sitcom 227. “Love my #227 crew! @jackeeharry @iamreginaking @marlagibbs4real Feeling a reunion!” he wrote.

Bernie Hamilton Williams earned widespread admiration for portraying Officer Smitty in 22 episodes of Sanford and Son. His calm, expressionless delivery while simplifying the overly technical police language used by his partner, Officer "Hoppy" Hopkins, evolved into one of the sitcom's most memorable and beloved comic elements.


Reflecting on how the recurring joke first took shape, Williams once explained to WKYC that it began during a rehearsal when the cast tried the exchange only once. The production team found the routine hilarious, so it was included in an early episode. After audiences responded enthusiastically, it quickly became a recurring feature. Williams also recalled that there were occasions when the writers arrived at rehearsals without fully developed material, allowing the actors to build on the now-popular comedic bit.

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He returned to the character several years later, appearing in five episodes of NBC's Sanford revival in 1980.

Williams further cemented his television legacy by playing Lester Jenkins in NBC's hit sitcom *227*. Starring alongside Marla Gibbs and Regina King, he remained a key member of the cast throughout the series' entire five-season run between 1985 and 1990, helping the show become a favorite among viewers.

Over an acting career that spanned an impressive 55 years, Williams built an extensive résumé filled with appearances in numerous successful television productions. His credits included memorable roles in Good Times, The Waltons, Magnum P.I., Night Court, Moesha, Parks and Recreation, and, in one of his final television appearances, the modern revival of Matlock featuring Kathy Bates in the lead role.

Beyond television, Williams also established a notable presence on the big screen. He shared the screen with several acclaimed Hollywood stars, including George C. Scott in *Hardcore*, Clint Eastwood in *The Rookie*, Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac in Guess Who, and portrayed the father of Denzel Washington's character in the drama *Flight*. These performances showcased his versatility and contributed to a distinguished career that left a lasting mark on both television and film.