Beloved character actor Charles C. Stevenson Jr., best known for his recurring role as bartender Smitty on the hit sitcom Will & Grace, has died at the age of 95. His son, Scott Stevenson, confirmed that his father passed away on January 19 in Camarillo, California, from natural causes, marking the end of a long and memorable life in entertainment.
Stevenson appeared in a total of 12 episodes of Will & Grace spanning the series’ original run and its revival, becoming a familiar and warmly remembered presence behind the bar. His final appearance on the sitcom came in the season 11 episode Accidentally on Porpoise, which aired in 2020.
Born and raised in Piedmont, California, Stevenson served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before pursuing higher education in English at the University of California, Berkeley. He later worked in public service with organisations such as Project Hope and the Epilepsy Foundation. It was not until the age of 50 that he began his acting career, eventually becoming a respected character actor in television and film.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Stevenson appeared in a wide array of well-known television shows, including Cheers, The Office, Dynasty, Murder She Wrote, Family Matters, Curb Your Enthusiasm and My Name Is Earl, among many others. His film credits included roles in The Naked Gun, Men in Black, Pleasantville and Ghost World, showcasing his versatility across genres.
In reflecting on his life and work, his son shared a humorous insight from Stevenson himself about his varied roles in film and television. He joked that his job was often “marrying or burying people,” because he frequently played characters in religious scenes while filming.
Stevenson is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who remember him not only for his memorable contributions to screen but also for the warmth and generosity he brought to every role and every stage of his remarkable life.
