Beloved Will & Grace Bartender Charles C Stevenson Jr Passes Away at 95
Charles C Stevenson Jr, the veteran actor best remembered 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 the news in a statement, revealing that his father passed away peacefully in California on January 19.
A Late-Blooming Career in Hollywood
Stevenson's portrayal of Smitty appeared across 12 episodes of the beloved series, with his final appearance airing during the show's eleventh season in February 2020. Remarkably, his acting career began relatively late in life. According to his family, the acting bug did not truly bite until he was 50 years old.
Before finding his calling on screen, Stevenson led a varied life. He studied English at UC Berkeley and served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he initially worked behind the scenes on public service announcements and community events, collaborating with Hollywood legends like James Stewart and Jack Lemmon.
From Small Screen to Big Screen
His first recorded on-screen role came in 1982 on an episode of Voyagers! Stevenson then built a steady career through the 1990s with guest spots on popular shows such as Murder, She Wrote, Baywatch, and Everybody Loves Raymond.
The noughties saw him appear in a string of iconic television series, including The Office, Weeds, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He also made the successful transition to film, with roles in major productions like The Naked Gun and Men in Black.
His first major film role was in the 2008 Disney movie Snow Buddies, which he filmed at the age of 76. Stevenson often played authority figures, particularly clergymen. His son Scott shared with Variety that his father humorously described his job as "marrying or burying people." He became adept at improvising dialogue to fill unscripted moments in these scenes.
A Lasting Legacy
Charles C Stevenson Jr is survived by his five children: Charles III and Valerie from his first marriage, and Catherine, Scott, and William from his second marriage to the late Hollywood agent Joy Stevenson. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, marking the end of a life richly lived both on and off the screen.
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a character actor whose warmth and professionalism graced numerous beloved shows and films, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.
