Trivia

Moved to Hollywood in 1968 and worked a regular job with the California Youth Authority to support his family while going out for auditions.

Originally from Columbus Ohio, he started out in community theater in Ohio in the 1960s while working for the Ohio Youth Commission.

Best known for his roles as Lester Jenkins on the series "227, Sgt. L.C. ROSS in the feature film and tv series "Private Benjamin" , and the role of "Smitty The Cop" on the tv series "Sanford and Son".

Met Marla Gibbs on the set of The Jeffersons (1975). Some eight years later, she would later co-star on 227 (1985), as his wife.

Best friend of Ralph Waite and Marla Gibbs.

His acting mentors were the late Director, Ed Cambridge, of the famed Negro Ensemble Company and the late actor Robert "Bob" Nichols.

Works on behalf of the Sickle Cell Anemia foundation, appering as host of the annual Baton Rouge, LA telethon.

Friends with Redd Foxx, and Esther Rolle.

Another mentor is Director John Rich.

In 1971, Willams was controversially fired from ''The Jimmy Stewart Show'' on racial grounds at the insistence of its star, James Stewart.