He became a familiar face behind the bar on Will & Grace, quietly anchoring scenes with warmth and wit. Now, veteran character actor Charles C. Stevenson Jr. has died at 89.
His son, Scott Stevenson, confirmed that he passed away of natural causes on January 19 in Camarillo, California.
For many fans, Will & Grace remains one of the most influential sitcoms of its era. With sharp writing, bold representation, and strong chemistry among its cast, the series earned 83 Primetime Emmy nominations over its run.
Among the supporting players who helped shape its world was Stevenson, who played the easygoing bartender Smitty. Though not a central character, Smitty became a steady, familiar presence behind the bar, grounding the show’s more chaotic moments.
Stevenson appeared in 12 episodes of Will & Grace across seven seasons between 2002 and 2020. His final appearance came in the season 11 episode “Accidentally on Porpoise,” which aired on February 20, 2020. He was 89 at the time of filming, reflecting both his longevity and continued dedication to his craft.
His career, however, extended far beyond the sitcom.
A working character actor, Stevenson built a résumé spanning nearly four decades. He made his screen debut in 1982 in an episode of Voyagers!, beginning a long and steady run in television and film.
On the big screen, he appeared in titles such as The Naked Gun, Ed Wood, Men in Black, Pleasantville, and Ghost World. Often cast in supporting roles, he was known for bringing a quiet reliability that filmmakers valued.
Television audiences may also recognize him from guest roles on series including Cheers, L.A. Law, Dynasty, Murder, She Wrote, Family Matters, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Office, Weeds, My Name Is Earl, Las Vegas, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
It was the kind of résumé that defined a veteran character actor — rarely the lead, but consistently adding texture and presence to every project.
In an interview with Variety, his son Scott recalled Stevenson’s humor about his work. Because he often played clergy or officiants, he would joke that his job was simply “marrying or burying people.”
Scott explained:
“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 admitted that he got pretty good at that.”
It paints a fitting picture of a seasoned actor trusted to hold a moment when a scene needed calm and improvisational ease.
Born and raised in Piedmont, California, Stevenson served in the Navy during the Korean War before studying English at UC Berkeley. He later turned to acting, a path that led him to decades of work across Hollywood stages and screens.
He was married to Barbara Keller, with whom he had two children, Charles III and Valerie. He was also married to the late agent Joy Stevenson, and together they had three sons: Catherine, Scott, and William.
Stevenson is survived by five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
While he was not always center stage, Charles C. Stevenson Jr. represented the steady professionalism that keeps television and film running. For many viewers, he will remain a familiar presence — the face you recognize even if you can’t immediately place it.
And in its own way, that kind of legacy endures.