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Hal Williams

Hal Williams

Actor · Died July 15, 2026, aged 87 · Columbus, Ohio, USA

Halroy Candis Williams was an American actor, best known for his recurring roles as Police Officer Smith on Sanford and Son, Harley Foster on The Waltons, and as the patriarch Lester Jenkins, the husband of Marla Gibbs's character, on the NBC sitcom 227 which originally aired from 1985 until 1990.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 14, 1938
Died
July 15, 2026 (aged 87)
From
Columbus, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 57 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Up 23% in 30 days

What are Hal Williams' films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Self
23%
Society
17%
Morality
11%
Power
7%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 2 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role
  • Allyas Lester Jenkins in 227 (1985)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
6
Contemplative
3
Joyful
3
Hopeful
4
Tense
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Hal Williams' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Hal Williams' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

57 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page.

  • Matlock(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · as Autry Tucker

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Mayor(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Walt

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • A Black Lady Sketch Show(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Lester Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The First Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as George

  • Flight(2012)

    as Whip's Dad (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Night Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Resident Playing Cards at Casino Night

  • Parks and Recreation(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Meagle

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Snow 2: Brain Freeze(2008)

    as Henry Mays

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Generation Gap(2008)

    as Mac

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Moonlight(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as 70-Year-Old Det. Bobby Desmond

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Guess Who(2005)

    as Howard Jones

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Cherokee Kid(1996)

    as Rev. Peel

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Moesha(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Rosevelt Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • The West Side Waltz(1995)

    as Jonno

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Sinbad Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Percy & Thunder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Jiti Kalumbi

  • The Rookie(1990)

    as Powell

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick Ciola

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Councilman Marcus Cooke

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • 227(1985)

    Show 116 episodes · as Lester Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Head Bailiff Reedy

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • All the Money in the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mr. Stowe

  • The Young Landlords (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mr. Williams

  • The Escape Artist(1982)

    as Cop at Mayor's Office

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Brian

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige(1981)

    as Carl Roberts

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Private Benjamin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 39 episodes · as Ted Ross

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave, the DJ

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Private Benjamin(1980)

    as Sgt. L.C. Ross

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • On the Nickel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Paul

  • Sanford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Sky Is Gray(1980)

    as Preacher

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Magazine Owner

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Roots: The Next Generations(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Aleck Haley

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Hardcore(1979)

    as Big Dick Blaque

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The White Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Judd

  • Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Boneyard

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Cody

  • What's Happening!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Logan

  • On the Rocks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 24 episodes · Actor

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · as Michael

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Police Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Harry O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Sidekicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Max

  • Herbie Rides Again(1974)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Good Times(1974)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Magician (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Jonathan Gordon

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Caleb Brown

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 7 episodes · as Harley Foster

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Cool Breeze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Harry, Policeman (uncredited)

  • Sanford and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 20 episodes · as Officer 'Smitty' Smith

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Widge Spott

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles from 1955 to 2024; peak year 1979.

Biggest box office

Guess Who (2005)

$103M worldwide

Highest rated

Snow 2: Brain Freeze (2008)

Midcredits 49th

Most popular right now

227 (1985)

Film career

19552024

Peak 1979 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting57 of 57: 57 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s1 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s7 · acting2000s5 · acting2010s4 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Hal Williams' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

The Sky Is Gray (1980)

79th percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Flight (2012)

Midcredits 89th · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Hal Williams work with?

People who share at least 2 of Hal Williams' MovieCove titles; Cleavon Little shares the most, 2.