Lenny Kravitz and Questlove have honored actor Hal Williams after he passed away on Wednesday.
Williams, widely recognized for his appearances in television programs such as Sanford and Son, 227 and The Waltons, died at his Rancho Mirage, California, residence on July 15. He was 91 years old.
Kravitz shared a tribute through Instagram, recalling his experiences with Williams and speaking about the actor’s close bond with his late mother, The Jeffersons star Roxie Roker.
“Not only a legendary actor, a beautiful loving soul that treated me with the love of a father. Our first meeting was a play called Bakers Dream where you actually played my father and we became family,” he wrote beside a black and white picture showing him kissing Williams on the cheek.
“As we grew closer you became like a brother to my mother and you fulfilled that role by becoming involved in my life. You often picked me up from school where I would then do my homework at your apartment,” he continued. “You treated me as an equal and shared knowledge and wisdom. I'm so blessed that we reunited in the last few years and shared more time together. You will be greatly missed. Kiss my mama for me.....”
The Roots member Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson also remembered Williams, who portrayed his father during a 2015 episode of Parks and Recreation. He described the actor as “the nicest cat ever” and wished him a “peaceful journey”.
Questlove called Williams “the most ideal tv dad” he remembered from his childhood and praised him for portraying “regular people” rather than relying on racial stereotypes.
“Lester Jenkins on 227 wasn't carrying the weight of the whole race on his back, he was just a man who went to work & loved his wife & put up with his daughter. He wasn't an over the top overachiever, he wasn't a slacker, he was a rarity, those archetypes were RARELY seen (across all spectrums),” he added.
Williams’s 227 costar Jackée Harry remembered him as “a gentleman” who “always carried himself with grace”. Actress Holly Robinson Peete also called him “one of the greats...a true television legend, but an even greater human being” and revealed that he had shared a 50 year friendship with her mother, Dolores Robinson.
Williams, whose acting credits also included the 1980 film Private Benjamin, passed away from natural causes. He leaves behind three children.
