The entertainment world is mourning the loss of a quintessential character actor whose presence provided the steady, quiet heartbeat of some of television’s most iconic scenes. Charles C. Stevenson Jr., perhaps best known to modern audiences as the unflappable bartender Smitty on the hit sitcom Will & Grace, has passed away at the age of 95. His son, Scott Stevenson, confirmed that the veteran performer died of natural causes on January 19 in Camarillo, California, marking the end of a prolific career spanning nearly four decades and dozens of beloved projects.
Stevenson’s passing is a poignant moment for fans of Will & Grace, a show that redefined the sitcom landscape with its sharp wit and groundbreaking representation. While the central quartet of Will, Grace, Jack, and Karen delivered the high-energy comedy that earned the series 83 Primetime Emmy nominations, it was the supporting ensemble that grounded the show’s more eccentric moments. As Smitty, Stevenson appeared in 12 episodes across seven seasons, serving as the stoic, often silent witness to the chaotic lives and acerbic barbs of the main cast. He remained a part of the show’s legacy well into his later years, making his final appearance in the 2020 episode “Accidentally on Porpoise” at the age of 89.
Yet to reduce Stevenson’s career to a single role behind a bar would be to overlook the vast breadth of his contributions to American cinema and television. A master of the “working actor” ethos, he had a face instantly recognizable even if his name did not always top the marquee. He made his professional on-screen debut in 1982 on the series Voyagers! and quickly became a staple of the industry’s golden age of character acting. His filmography reads like a checklist of modern classics: he lent his talents to the slapstick brilliance of The Naked Gun, the stylized world of Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, the high-concept sci-fi of Men in Black, and the thoughtful social commentary of Pleasantville and Ghost World.
Television, however, was where Stevenson became a ubiquitous presence. His credits spanned the history of the medium’s most prestigious and popular programs. From the multi-cam warmth of Cheers, Family Matters, and Everybody Loves Raymond to the prestige dramas of L.A. Law, Dynasty, and Murder, She Wrote, Stevenson was the reliable professional directors called upon to add authenticity to any scene. In later years, he transitioned seamlessly into the “single-cam” era of comedy, appearing in cult favorites and critical darlings like The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, My Name Is Earl, and Weeds.
In a touching tribute shared with Variety, his son Scott offered a glimpse into the humble and humorous way his father viewed his own professional niche. Because of his dignified bearing and white hair, Stevenson was frequently cast in religious roles, playing priests, ministers, or judges. “In his own words,” Scott shared, “his job was ‘marrying or burying people.’” Stevenson often joked about the challenges of these roles, recalling how directors would panic when they realized they hadn’t scripted enough dialogue to cover the physical action of a ceremony. He became an expert at improvising the “unscripted space” between the opening greeting and the final “amen,” ensuring that scenes felt lived-in and real even when the camera wasn’t focused on him.
This ability to “fill the space” was a testament to his training and life experience. Born and raised in Piedmont, California, Stevenson’s journey to stage and screen was not straightforward. He served his country in the Navy during the Korean War, an experience that likely contributed to the discipline and stoicism he brought to his roles. After his service, he pursued an English degree at UC Berkeley, grounding his performances in a deep appreciation for language and storytelling.
Beyond the set, Stevenson’s life was defined by family and long-standing personal connections. He was married to Barbara Keller, with whom he had two children, Charles III and Valerie. He later partnered with the late talent agent Joy Stevenson, raising three children together: Catherine, Scott, and William. His legacy is carried forward not just through his IMDb page, but through a sprawling family tree that includes five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
The longevity of Stevenson’s career is a rarity in Hollywood. Remaining active from the early 1980s until 2020 required more than talent—it required a temperament capable of weathering the industry’s fickle nature. He understood that there are no small parts, only small actors. Whether pouring a drink for Karen Walker or presiding over a fictional wedding, he treated every moment with equal professional gravity and wit.
In 2019, at the age of 88, Stevenson enjoyed a high-profile moment on the national stage when he appeared alongside Megan Mullally at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The sight of the “beloved bartender” standing with one of the industry’s biggest stars was a fitting tribute to a man who had spent years supporting the leads of the industry from just outside the spotlight. It served as a reminder that the most enduring shows are often built on the shoulders of character actors like Stevenson—those who provide texture and history to the worlds they inhabit.
As news of his passing spreads through Camarillo and the wider acting community, the sentiment is one of deep gratitude for a life well-lived and a craft finely honed. Charles C. Stevenson Jr. belonged to a generation of actors who viewed their work as a service, bridging the gap between “gathered here together” and the end of the scene. He filled those unscripted spaces with joy, humor, and a quiet dignity that will be missed by family, peers, and millions of viewers who felt just a little more at home whenever they saw him behind the bar.