Charles C. Stevenson, the actor best remembered for his role as Smitty on the hit television series Will & Grace, has passed away from natural causes at the age of 95. His death occurred on January 19 in Camarillo, California, as confirmed by his son Scott in a statement provided to Variety.
Stevenson's Notable Role on Will & Grace
Stevenson portrayed the character Smitty across 12 episodes of Will & Grace, appearing over seven seasons from 2002 to 2020. His final appearance on the show was in the 11th episode of the 11th season, titled Accidentally on Porpoise, which aired on February 20, 2020. At the time of production, Stevenson was 89 years old, filming shortly before the onset of the global pandemic.
A Career Defined by Religious and Character Roles
In his statement, Scott Stevenson shared insights into his father's perspective on his acting career, which often involved playing religious figures. "In his own words, his job was 'marrying or burying people,'" Scott recounted. He elaborated that directors would frequently turn to Stevenson to improvise and fill unscripted moments during ceremonial scenes, particularly between the opening lines and the closing amen.
Scott noted, "As he told it, the panic-stricken director would invariably come to him to beg him to find a way to fill in unscripted space between 'We are gathered here together' (where he’d probably get his close-up) and the 'amen' at the end of the scene (where he usually wouldn’t)." Stevenson himself admitted that he became quite skilled at this improvisational task over the years.
Early Career and Later Success
According to iMDb, Stevenson's first recorded acting role was as a reporter on an episode of the show Voyagers! in 1982. He subsequently appeared in uncredited parts on popular 1980s television series such as Cheers, L.A. Law, and Dynasty. His career gained significant momentum later in life when he landed his first major role in the 2008 Disney film Snow Buddies, which he filmed at the age of 76.
Throughout his decades in the entertainment industry, Stevenson built a reputation as a reliable character actor, often bringing depth and authenticity to smaller roles. His work on Will & Grace, in particular, endeared him to fans of the long-running sitcom, where he shared the screen with stars like Megan Mullally.
Stevenson's passing marks the end of a lengthy and varied career in television and film, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances that spanned from the early 1980s into the 2020s. His ability to adapt and excel in diverse roles, especially in his later years, serves as a testament to his dedication and talent in the acting profession.
