about The founder

One of Hollywood's busiest actors, Hal Williams  is probably best known for his recurring role as Police Officer Smith ("Smitty") on Sanford and Son (1972–76) and as the patriarch Lester Jenkins, the husband of Marla Gibbs's character, on the NBC sitcom 227 (1985–90).

Williams started out in the acting business in 1969. Since then, he has appeared in movies such as Paul Schrader's Hardcore, Howard Zieff's Private Benjamin (he also portrayed the role of Sgt. L.C. "Ted" Ross in the television series of the same name), and Clint Eastwood's The Rookie. He was controversially fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show in 1971 at the insistence of its star, James Stewart.[1] In the early to mid-1990s, he starred in many of comic Sinbad's productions, including The Sinbad Show and The Cherokee Kid. He played the grandfather in the Bernie Mac film Guess Who.

His other television credits include Moonlight, Moesha, Suddenly Susan, Minor Adjustments, L.A. Law, Night Court, Magnum, P.I., Hill Street Blues, Gimme a Break, The Jeffersons, The Dukes of Hazzard, T.J. Hooker, The Walton's, Knots Landing, The White Shadow, What's Happening!!, Good Times, Quincy, M.E., Kung Fu, S.W.A.T., Gunsmoke and That Girl.

Hal does a great deal of volunteer community work in Southern California where he currently resides.   He has been a board member of the Los Angeles Theater Actors since 1976.  In 1980 and 1981 he was awarded the Keys to the City of San Bernardino for his participation as Grand Marshal in the Annual Black History Parade.  He is quick to tell audiences of aspiring actors from various schools "Learn to be something other than an actor.  Get a degree preferably in some field totally unrelated to acting because the 'overnight sensation' takes about twenty-five years. " 

Hal works extensively with the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and annually co-hosts the nationally televised Sickle Cell Anemia Telethon.  He is also spokesman for "Great Beginnings for Black babies,"  a project of the Los Angeles County Health Department.

At the 18th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Hal's acting abilities received the highest tribute from his peers when he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Image Award for his role in James Baldwin's "The Amen Corner."  In addition, he has been furthered honored with the Drum Major Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This award, presented annually during the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, was given for his outstanding performance in his work towards peace and justice.

In addition to Mark, Mr. Williams has two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.