Will & Grace Actor Charles C. Stevenson Jr. Dies at 95

The beloved bartender Smitty actor passed away from natural causes in January.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Charles C. Stevenson Jr., the actor best known for playing the beloved bartender Smitty on the sitcom Will & Grace, has died at the age of 95. Stevenson's son confirmed that the actor passed away from natural causes on January 19 in Camarillo, California.

Why it matters

Stevenson was a prolific character actor who appeared in numerous TV shows and films over his decades-long career, including Men in Black, The Office, and Ghost World. His portrayal of the witty bartender Smitty on Will & Grace was a fan favorite, and his death marks the loss of a talented comedic performer.

The details

In addition to his role as Smitty, Stevenson was known for playing priests, pastors, and other elderly characters in shows like Shameless, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and My Wife and Kids. His son Scott said that Stevenson was adept at improvising and filling in unscripted space during filming. Stevenson's acting career began in the 1980s, and he continued working steadily up until his death.

  • Stevenson died on January 19, 2026 in Camarillo, California.
  • Stevenson's death was confirmed by his son on February 5, 2026.

The players

Charles C. Stevenson Jr.

The actor best known for playing the beloved bartender Smitty on the sitcom Will & Grace.

Scott Stevenson

The son of Charles C. Stevenson Jr. who confirmed his father's death.

Megan Mullally

Stevenson's co-star on Will & Grace, who praised his comedic talents.

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What they’re saying

“In his own words, his job was 'marrying or burying people.' 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.”

— Scott Stevenson, Son of Charles C. Stevenson Jr. (Variety)

“They gave Charles/Smitty, they gave him more to do. They gave him more lines and jokes, and he freaking nailed every single thing they gave him. He nailed it.”

— Megan Mullally (Gold Derby)

The takeaway

Charles C. Stevenson Jr.'s passing marks the end of an era for Will & Grace fans, as the beloved actor who brought the witty bartender Smitty to life has died at the age of 95. Stevenson's long and prolific career as a character actor is a testament to his comedic talents, which were showcased in his memorable performances across TV and film.