Hal Williams Starred In The '80s Sitcom Remake Of A Classic Goldie Hawn Movie
The 227 star reprised one of his more widely recognized film roles for three seasons on CBS, but he preferred working on the movie version of the story.
Hal Williams starred in the 80s sitcom remake of the classic Goldie Hawn movie Private Benjamin. He played the role of Sgt. L.C. Ted Ross in the three-season series, which aired from 1982 to 1983. Prior to that, Williams had starred in the 1980 film adaptation of the same name. In a 2024 interview with Judy Norton, Williams revealed that he was initially hesitant to audition for the role, as the casting team did not initially want him for it.
However, Goldie Hawn was present during his audition and read with him, which led to his casting. Williams and his co-stars spent eight wonderful weeks filming the movie in Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, California. While he enjoyed working on the series, Williams also mentioned that the new producers made changes that diminished his character.
He was glad for the opportunity but felt that the show did not capture the same essence as the movie. Studio executives tried to change and diminish his character, even threatening to fire him over a particular line he refused to say. Despite these challenges, Williams continued his acting career until his death in July 2026 at the age of 91.
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