One of the final surviving cast members of The Naked Gun has passed away at the age of 98.
Hollywood has lost one of its enduring comedy icons. Ed Williams, the veteran actor best known for portraying lab scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and the Naked Gun films, passed away on October 2, 2025, in Los Angeles at the age of 98. The news was confirmed by his granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, to The Hollywood Reporter. Williams’ passing marks the end of an era, as only a few of the original Naked Gun cast remain today. A Remarkable Beginning. Ed Williams was born in San Jose, California, in 1926. Before he ever stepped in front of a camera, he led a life filled with service, hard work, and creative exploration.
Williams served honorably in the United States Navy, an experience that would instill discipline, resilience, and a grounded perspective that carried through the rest of his life. Following his military service, he entered the world of broadcasting. Williams worked as a radio salesman at KSJO, demonstrating his knack for communication, persuasion, and connecting with audiences. Later, he became a booth announcer at KCET Television, a role that introduced him to live performance, technical production, and the fast-paced demands of the media industry.
Williams’ dedication to education also left a lasting mark. He taught broadcasting at Los Angeles City College, guiding aspiring media professionals while simultaneously honing his craft in live theater. This combination of teaching, technical knowledge, and stage experience uniquely positioned him for his later breakout role as Ted Olson, the eccentric, deadpan lab scientist whose inventions were as absurd as they were hilarious.
The Ted Olson Legacy
Ted Olson was not just a comic relief character—he was the embodiment of absurdist, intelligent humor. Williams’ performance combined perfect timing, understated delivery, and a subtle sense of mischief. He created and demonstrated some of Police Squad!’s most memorable props, including the Swiss-army shoe, the anti-graffiti wall, and dart-shooting cufflinks. His deadpan explanations, particularly to Leslie Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin, became instantly iconic. One such line, explaining geology to Drebin, perfectly showcased his wit: “As you know, Frank, billions of years ago, our Earth was a molten mass. But for some reason, not understood by scientists, the earth cooled, forming a crust, a hard igneous shell. That’s what we scientists call ‘Rock.’”
Williams’ chemistry with Nielsen was legendary, a cornerstone of the franchise’s comedic success. While Nielsen’s over-the-top heroics carried the films, Williams’ subtle, measured humor balanced the scenes, making the absurd world of The Naked Gun feel both believable and endlessly funny.
A Broad and Varied Career
Although Williams is remembered primarily for his work in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun, his career extended far beyond these roles. Between 1982 and 2010, he appeared in a wide variety of television shows, including MacGyver, Matlock, L.A. Law, and The Bold and the Beautiful. His versatility allowed him to inhabit roles ranging from lawyers to doctors to priests, bringing a grounded authenticity to every character. On the big screen, Williams was perhaps best known for his portrayal of clergy, notably the Reverend in Steve Martin’s Father of the Bride.
He frequently portrayed members of the clergy in other films as well, including the biographical TV movie I Want to Live, the drama Infidelity, and the comedy Going to the Chapel. Demonstrating remarkable range, he also appeared in horror and thriller genres, such as the 1993 dinosaur-themed film Carnosaur, in which he played Dr. Sterling Raven. The movie gained attention as a contemporary of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, highlighting Williams’ ability to move seamlessly between comedy, drama, and suspense. Even after largely retiring from on-screen roles in 2010, Williams occasionally returned for performances via Zoom with the Hollywood Radio Players between 2022 and 2023. These appearances illustrated his continued passion for performance and connection with audiences, even in the digital age.
Family and Personal Life
Williams’ life outside of Hollywood was equally rich. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons, Fred and Ian; and his grandchildren, Maureen and Stephanie. Family remained central to his life, and he often spoke of the joy and inspiration they brought him. Those who worked with him on set remembered him not only for his talent but for his warmth, generosity, and mentorship. Priscilla Presley and other colleagues praised him for his kindness, patience, and dedication to both his craft and those around him.
A Vanishing Era of Hollywood Comedy
With Williams’ passing, one of the last links to a legendary era of Hollywood comedy is gone. Many of his co-stars from The Naked Gun have passed before him, including Leslie Nielsen (pneumonia, 2010), George Kennedy (natural causes, 2016), Ricardo Montalbán (congestive heart failure, 2009), and O.J. Simpson (prostate cancer, 2024). The loss of Ed Williams serves as a reminder of the passing of a generation that shaped comedy in film and television and whose influence continues to be felt across the industry.
A Life Well Lived
From his early days in San Jose, to serving his country in the Navy, to working in broadcasting, teaching, and ultimately becoming an iconic figure in film and television, Ed Williams lived a life marked by service, creativity, and humor. His portrayal of Ted Olson, his mentorship of younger performers, and his commitment to his craft ensured a legacy that will endure for decades. At 98, Williams leaves behind a record of accomplishment, laughter, and warmth. For fans of The Naked Gun and beyond, his life is a reminder that genuine talent, combined with kindness and dedication, creates a lasting impact far beyond the screen.
