Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Following the passing of veteran actor Hal Williams at age 91, his longtime co-star and friend Marla Gibbs shared a deeply touching tribute on social media. She warmly remembered him not just as her beloved TV husband, Lester Jenkins, from their hit sitcom 227, but as a devoted friend who continued to check in on her long after the cameras stopped rolling. In her post, Gibbs revealed that their bond stretched back to their early theater days at the Crossroads Arts Academy, where Williams was always eager to lend a hand and support emerging young artists. She also reflected on how she fought to make sure her character had a husband on 227 to portray a strong, loving Black family on television—a decision that ultimately brought them together to create five seasons of television history and a lifelong friendship.
Hal Williams was a celebrated character actor whose career in television and film spanned several decades, though he did not break into acting until his 30s after working as a postal worker and corrections officer. Beyond his popular role as Lester Jenkins on 227, Williams was widely recognized as the friendly, plain-speaking Officer "Smitty" Smith on Sanford and Son, and he built a diverse resume with roles in The Waltons, Private Benjamin, and The Sinbad Show. His co-stars and peers have remembered him as a true gentleman of grace and humor, highlighting his dedication to showing loving, present Black fathers on screen.
Marla Gibbs is a legendary television icon, best known for her sharp-witted, unforgettable portrayal of the maid Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons before executive producing and starring in 227 as the busybody Mary Jenkins. Over her illustrious career, Gibbs earned multiple Emmy nominations, established herself as an influential voice in Black entertainment, and became a beloved fixture in American sitcom history. The enduring, real-life kinship between Gibbs and Williams, which lasted over four decades, stood as a testament to their mutual respect and the pioneering television family they built together.
Following the passing of veteran actor Hal Williams at age 91, his longtime co-star and friend Marla Gibbs shared a deeply touching tribute on social media. She warmly remembered him not just as her beloved TV husband, Lester Jenkins, from their hit sitcom 227, but as a devoted friend who continued to check in on her long after the cameras stopped rolling. In her post, Gibbs revealed that their bond stretched back to their early theater days at the Crossroads Arts Academy, where Williams was always eager to lend a hand and support emerging young artists. She also reflected on how she fought to make sure her character had a husband on 227 to portray a strong, loving Black family on television—a decision that ultimately brought them together to create five seasons of television history and a lifelong friendship.
Hal Williams was a celebrated character actor whose career in television and film spanned several decades, though he did not break into acting until his 30s after working as a postal worker and corrections officer. Beyond his popular role as Lester Jenkins on 227, Williams was widely recognized as the friendly, plain-speaking Officer "Smitty" Smith on Sanford and Son, and he built a diverse resume with roles in The Waltons, Private Benjamin, and The Sinbad Show. His co-stars and peers have remembered him as a true gentleman of grace and humor, highlighting his dedication to showing loving, present Black fathers on screen.
Marla Gibbs is a legendary television icon, best known for her sharp-witted, unforgettable portrayal of the maid Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons before executive producing and starring in 227 as the busybody Mary Jenkins. Over her illustrious career, Gibbs earned multiple Emmy nominations, established herself as an influential voice in Black entertainment, and became a beloved fixture in American sitcom history. The enduring, real-life kinship between Gibbs and Williams, which lasted over four decades, stood as a testament to their mutual respect and the pioneering television family they built together.
