Charles C. Stevenson Jr., celebrated for his role as bartender Smitty in Will & Grace, has passed away at age 95.

Stevenson died in California on January 19, as confirmed by his son Scott.

Iconic Role in Will & Grace

The veteran actor portrayed Smitty across 12 episodes of the enduring sitcom, marking his final appearance in the 11th season that premiered in February 2020.

Diverse Acting Career

Stevenson entered on-screen acting later in life, landing his first major film role in Disney’s 2008 release Snow Buddies at age 76.

He frequently embodied clergy characters such as preachers, priests, and pastors. His son Scott recalled how Stevenson described these parts: “marrying or burying people.”

Directors often relied on him to improvise dialogue, bridging the gap from “We are gathered here together”—typically capturing his close-up—to the scene’s concluding “amen.”

Scott noted, “Stevenson admitted that he got pretty good at that.”

Background and Early Pursuits

The acting career took hold when Stevenson turned 50. Earlier, he studied English at UC Berkeley and served in the Navy during the Korean War.

In the 1960s, he relocated to Los Angeles, contributing to public service announcements and community initiatives alongside stars like James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Henry Winkler.

His earliest credited television appearance came in 1982 as a reporter on an episode of Voyagers!.