Hal Williams, the actor best known for TV roles in Sanford & Son and 227, has died at the age of 91.<\/p>\n
His representative confirmed that Williams died on 15 July at his home in California<\/a>.<\/p>\n Williams didn\u2019t start acting until he was in his 30s, after working as a postal worker and a corrections officer before moving to Los Angeles<\/a> in 1968.<\/p>\n The actor was most widely recognised for playing Officer \u201cSmitty\u201d Smith in 22 episodes of Sanford and Son, a sitcom based on British TV series Steptoe and Son. It was adapted by Norman Lear and aired from 1972 to 1977.<\/p>\n During production of the show, Williams also continued working an overnight shift at the post office as he didn\u2019t feel \u201cfinancially able\u201d to give up the job.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to go around to the high schools and theater groups and young people,\u201d he said in an interview<\/a>. \u201cI used to tell them that if your aspirations include mansions and limousines and things like that, be prepared for a lot of rejection because you need to get a degree in something. Overnight sensations usually take 25 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams also played Lester Jenkins in 227, a sitcom that aired between 1985 and 1990. He starred alongside Marla Gibbs, Regina King and Jacke\u0301e Harry.<\/p>\n Regina King, Hal Williams, Marla Gibbs and Alaina Reed Hall in 227. Photograph: Columbia Pictures\/Everett\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n