Ed Williams, the veteran actor who brought earnest lab scientist Ted Olson to life in the Police Squad! television series and the original “Naked Gun” film trilogy, died Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. He was 98 years old.
Williams’ granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor, known for his pocket protector-wearing character with a surprisingly kinky side, had maintained an active career into his 90s, with his final screen appearance coming in the series “Hollywood Radio Players” in 2022 and 2023.
Born Edwin Wallace Williams on November 26, 1926, in San Jose, California, Williams took an unconventional path to Hollywood success. As a child, he preferred listening to “The Lone Ranger” on the radio over practicing the flute as his parents wished. In high school, he starred as the accident-prone Henry Aldrich in “What a Life!” Then, he pursued stage roles at San Jose State and Stanford University.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Williams demonstrated his versatility by performing in more than 200 plays produced by Lillian Fontaine, mother of legendary actresses Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. He simultaneously worked as a salesman at KSJO Radio, where he wrote, starred in, and created sound effects for recordings used to attract clients.
While pursuing his master’s degree in acting and directing at Stanford, where he played the stuttering Billy Budd in a college production, Williams auditioned for parts in the 1953 films “Stalag 17” and “The Robe at Paramount.” In 1955, he and his wife, Nancy, relocated to Hollywood, but Williams made an unexpected choice that would delay his acting career for more than two decades.
At the Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences, Williams took over teaching duties from Frank Cady, who was then appearing regularly on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” Williams taught subjects including Top 40 Disc Jockeying during his six-year stint, instructing students who would become prominent figures in broadcasting, including DJ Real Don Steele and future host of “The Newlywed Game,” Bob Eubanks.
In 1961, Williams moved to Los Angeles City College to teach broadcasting while working as a booth announcer at KCET television. He deliberately avoided auditions for 24 years, explaining in a 2017 interview with Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters that he disapproved of professors who neglected their classes to pursue lucrative side work.
By the mid-1970s, Williams received a less demanding schedule in the speech department, prompting him to reconsider his dormant acting ambitions. He compared his situation to being trained as a surgeon but never entering the operating room, expressing his desire to finally practice his craft. He enrolled in night acting classes and performed as the president of the court-martial in a production of “The Caine Mutiny” at the Hollywood Legion Theater.
His persistence paid off when he auditioned for “Police Squad!” with Jim Abrahams and his brothers, Jerry and David Zucker. The wacky send-up of police procedurals, starring Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin, debuted in March 1982 and ran for only six episodes without a laugh track. Despite its brief run on ABC, the show found new life at Paramount Pictures, where the actor could reprise his Olsen character, leading to “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” in 1988, followed by two sequels in 1991 and 1994.
Williams maintained fond memories of working with Nielsen on the “Naked Gun” films, though he typically filmed for only a day or two on each production. He recalled Nielsen as a consummate professional who understood how to execute comedy well, expressing nothing but respect for his co-star.
According to Williams, “I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting.”
Williams was often typecast in religious roles throughout his career, frequently portraying reverends, priests, and ministers. His most memorable appearance in this capacity came in “Father of the Bride” in 1991, where he officiated the wedding of Annie Banks, played by Kimberly Williams, and Bryan MacKenzie, played by George Newbern, in the film starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.
Williams credited an assistant casting director he met at a workshop for the opportunity. He had to postpone a planned visit to his mother when the producers insisted he stay for the audition, and Southwest Airlines accommodated the schedule change. He expressed gratitude for being part of what he considered a lovely movie.
The actor retired from Los Angeles City College in 1989 after 28 years of teaching. His extensive resume included appearances in films such as “Ratboy,” “Nickel & Dime,” “High Strung” and Roger Corman’s “Carnosaur,” as well as television shows including “Madame’s Place,” “Cheers,” “MacGyver,” “Hooperman,” “Matlock,” “L.A. Law,” “Sisters,” “Father Dowling Mysteries” and “House.”
Williams is survived by his wife Nancy, whom he married in September 1954, sons Fred and Ian, and grandchildren Stephanie and Maureen.
