Actor Ed Williams, best known for his role as the mega-quirky lab scientist Ted Olsen in the “Police Squad!” television series and its big-screen adaptations, the original “Naked Gun” movies, has passed away at the age of 98.
Williams died on October 2, his granddaughter Stephanie Williams confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. His nephew, Marty Wolfe Williams-Wilson, shared the news on social media. “Our beloved Uncle Ed passed away peacefully last night in Los Angeles,” Williams-Wilson wrote. “Professionally, he was a successful actor. Personally, we adored him and will miss him.”
Before launching his acting career, Williams spent over 30 years as an educator. Born in San Jose, California, he acted in plays during his time at San Jose State and Stanford universities and participated in radio productions. However, upon moving to Los Angeles in 1955, he set aside acting to focus on teaching.
Williams taught speech and broadcasting at The Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences, then continued his career at Los Angeles City College until his retirement in 1989.
As his teaching career was winding down, Williams began taking acting classes at night and started auditioning. Eventually, he landed his signature role alongside Leslie Nielsen’s Detective Frank Drebin in the beloved police procedural parody series. As lab scientist Ted Olsen, Williams comically explained scientific concepts to children using hilariously inappropriate language filled with double and even triple entendres.
He reprised the role of Ted Olsen in the films “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (1988), “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” (1991), and “Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult” (1994).
Following those roles, Williams often portrayed members of the clergy. His agent frequently booked him as a priest or minister, and Williams once remarked in 2017, “so I got stuck on a lot of ministers for a long time there.” Notable ministerial performances included officiating the wedding of Kimberly Williams’ character Annie Banks and Bryan MacKenzie (played by George Newbern) in the 1991 film “Father of the Bride,” whose parents were portrayed by Steve Martin and the late Diane Keaton.
Offscreen, Williams also officiated at the wedding of the character Carla in the long-running sitcom “Cheers.”
Ed Williams is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Nancy Williams, their sons Ian and Fredrick, and grandchildren Stephanie and Maureen.
His unique blend of humor and heart left a lasting impression on audiences, making him a memorable figure both on screen and off.
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