Ed Williams, beloved ‘Naked Gun’ actor, passes away at 98

Ed Williams dies at 98

Actor and educator Ed Williams, best remembered for his delightfully quirky role as scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun films, has passed away aged 98.

As per Hollywood Reporter, his granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, confirmed that he died on 2 October in Los Angeles.

Williams, who began his professional life in broadcasting before becoming a familiar face on screen, had a knack for playing earnest yet endearing characters — often reverends, priests, or kindly mentors.

Among his many memorable performances was his turn as the reverend in Father of the Bride (1991), where he presided over the wedding of Annie Banks (Kimberly Williams) and Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern) alongside stars Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.

Born Edwin Wallace Williams on 26 November 1926 in San Jose, California, he fell in love with performing as a young boy. His parents wanted him to practise the flute, but he preferred tuning in to The Lone Ranger on the radio.

In high school, he took the stage as Henry Aldridge in What a Life! — a moment that sparked a lifelong passion for acting.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Williams performed in more than 200 stage plays under the direction of Lillian Fontaine, the mother of Hollywood icons Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine.

He later worked at KSJO Radio, where he wrote, performed, and created sound effects for his own recordings to charm potential clients.

While studying acting and directing at Stanford University, Williams auditioned for Stalag 17 and The Robe at Paramount, before moving to Los Angeles in 1955 with his wife Nancy.

There, he joined The Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences, teaching future media personalities like “Real” Don Steele and Bob Eubanks.

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Though he spent years teaching broadcasting at L.A. City College, his passion for performance never faded. In the early 1980s, he decided to return to acting — a choice that led to his breakout as Ted Olson. “I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting,” he recalled fondly in 2017.

With his dry humour and everyman charm, Williams became a fan favourite, appearing alongside Leslie Nielsen in Police Squad! and all three Naked Gun films.

His blend of sincerity and silliness helped define the franchise’s timeless comedy.