Hal Williams' Memories with Goldie Hawn Reveal Film Behind‑the‑Scenes
Actor Hal Williams recalled what it was like to work with the actress in the 1980 classic before his death in 2026.
Goldie Hawn's name is back in the spotlight after actor Hal Williams shared behind‑the‑scenes memories of the 1980 classic film Private Benjamin. Williams, who died in July 2026 at 91, recalled in an interview details of his work with the actress and the difficulties he faced adapting the movie for television. His statements have once again highlighted the partnership between the two artists.
The casting test with Goldie Hawn
Williams revealed in a 2024 interview with Judy Norton, star of The Waltons, that the casting team initially did not want to call him for the role of Sergeant L.C. Ted Ross. Despite the initial resistance, he was invited to audition. On the day of his audition, Goldie Hawn was present and read lines with him. Williams noted that the actress wore trousers, a blouse, and a large gold belt at the time, when they filmed the moment the sergeant threw her out of a bus.
Filming in California
After landing the role, Williams worked directly with Goldie Hawn and Eileen Brennan. The actor reported that the crew spent eight weeks at Fort MacArthur in the San Pedro area of California shooting the feature film. He described the period as very fun and said he had wonderful moments with Eileen, Goldie, and the entire crew, calling it a truly joyful experience.
Problems with the TV version
The film’s success spawned a sitcom on CBS that ran for three seasons and ended in 1983. Williams reprised his sergeant role in the television production but said he was not entirely happy with the experience. His dissatisfaction stemmed from changes the new producers wanted to make to the story. According to the actor, studio executives tried to alter and diminish his character’s importance in the plot.
Near‑firing over a script
One point of conflict in the TV series was the sergeant’s relationship with Eileen Brennan’s character, a captain who defended Benjamin. Producers wanted to distance the two characters. Williams said he was almost fired after refusing to deliver lines he deemed inappropriate for his role, as he had never spoken to the character that way. Even after threats from Warner Bros. executives sent to his agent, the script was only partially altered. Williams continued his acting career until 2025.
With information from TVLine.
Source: TVLine