Smith would play Otis one more time in the television movie Return to Mayberry (1986). Chicken (1966), playing essentially the same town drunk character. Smith appeared as Calver Weems in the Don Knotts comedy The Ghost and Mr. The Otis character stopped appearing in the sitcom towards the end of the series because of sponsor concerns regarding the comic portrayal of excessive drinking. According to longtime friends Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, he did not drink in real life. Hal Smith was the opposite of his character. Deputy Barney Fife would often become irritated with Otis and would attempt to either sober him up or rehabilitate him in several episodes. When intoxicated, he would often comically let himself into his regular jail cell-using the key which was stored within reach of the two comfortable jail rooms- and "sleep off" the effects of alcohol.
Smith's best-remembered on-screen character was Otis Campbell, the town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show, during most of the series' run from 1960 to 1967. After the war, he traveled to Hollywood and appeared on many television series such as I Married Joan, Fury, The People's Choice, The Texan, Rescue 8, Dennis the Menace, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Donna Reed Show, National Velvet and The Red Skelton Show. He was discharged from the service in 1946 as a Sergeant and was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. His own performing skills were utilized as well in a show titled Strictly from Hunger.
As such, he was responsible for planning and directing shows for the entertainment of his fellow troops. While in Manila, he was made assistant manager of the enlisted men's club at the Far East Air Force (FEAF) headquarters.
Being an avid flyer, Smith enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1943 and was stationed in the Philippines with the Army's Special Services Division. After graduation from high school, Smith worked from 1936 to 1943 as a DJ and voice talent for WIBX Radio in Utica, New York.