While Fred Sanford was busy dodging bills and insulting Aunt Esther, one man tried to keep the law in line—Officer Smitty, played by Hal Williams. Smitty wasn’t your typical sitcom cop. He was slow-talking, unbothered, and always two steps behind Fred’s nonsense—but somehow, he was perfect.
Alongside his white partner, Hoppy, Smitty added subtle racial commentary to the show. Their “good cop, confused cop” dynamic let Sanford and Son poke fun at authority without ever feeling too heavy-handed. Smitty would stroll in, say something bland, and leave you howling.
Hal Williams later starred in 227, but many fans still remember him best as Smitty—the most underrated man in blue. He never tried to steal the spotlight. That’s what made him so brilliant.
In a show full of big personalities, Officer Smitty got laughs with just one raised eyebrow—and that’s sitcom skill.
