Ed Williams, the veteran actor who brought laboratory scientist Ted Olson to life in the cult classic television series “Police Squad!” and its subsequent “Naked Gun” film franchise, died on 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 had maintained an active career that spanned nearly four decades after making an unexpected return to the entertainment industry following years as an educator.
Born Edwin Wallace Williams on November 26, 1926, in San Jose, California, the actor’s path to Hollywood success was anything but conventional. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Williams immersed himself in theater, performing in more than 200 stage productions for Lillian Fontaine, the mother of legendary actresses Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. He simultaneously worked as a salesman at KSJO Radio, where he demonstrated entrepreneurial flair by writing, starring in, and creating sound effects for recordings used to attract clients.
Williams pursued advanced studies in acting and directing at Stanford University, where he notably played the stuttering Billy Budd in a college production. While completing his master’s degree, he auditioned for roles in the 1953 films “Stalag 17” and “The Robe” at Paramount Pictures. However, his acting aspirations would be temporarily set aside when he and his wife Nancy moved to Los Angeles in 1955.
Taking a position at The Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences, Williams replaced Frank Cady, who had moved on to recurring appearances on “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.” Williams taught subjects including “Top 40 Disc Jockeying” during his six-year tenure there. Among his students were future radio personality “Real” Don Steele and Bob Eubanks, who would later host “The Newlywed Game.”
In 1961, Williams transitioned to Los Angeles City College, where he taught broadcasting while working as a booth announcer at KCET television. He deliberately avoided auditioning for acting roles for 24 years, expressing disapproval of professors who moonlighted and neglected their teaching responsibilities.
The mid-1970s brought a less demanding schedule in the speech department, prompting Williams to reconsider his dormant acting career. He attended acting school at night and performed in a production of “The Caine Mutiny” at the Hollywood Legion Theater. His breakthrough came in the early 1980s when he auditioned for creators Jim Abrahams and brothers Jerry and David Zucker for their new comedy series.
Williams landed the role of Ted Olson, the earnest lab scientist sporting a pocket protector and harboring an unexpectedly kinky side, on ABC’s “Police Squad!” The show debuted in March 1982 as a wacky send-up of police procedurals starring Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin. Despite lasting only six laugh track-free episodes, the series found new life when Paramount Pictures adapted it for the big screen.
“I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting,” Williams noted in a 2017 interview with Matthew Worley of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters.
Williams and Nielsen were the only actors to reprise their roles in the film adaptations: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” in 1988, “The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear” in 1991, and “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” in 1994. Williams remembered Nielsen as a consummate professional who knew how to execute comedy with precision.
After retiring from Los Angeles City College in 1989 following 28 years of teaching, Williams expanded his acting portfolio. He frequently portrayed religious figures, including the minister who married Annie Banks and Bryan MacKenzie in “Father of the Bride” in 1991, starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. His agent particularly enjoyed casting him in ministerial roles, leading to numerous appearances as priests, reverends, and chaplains across various productions.
Williams expressed particular pride in portraying a chaplain in the 1988 NBC telefilm “To Heal a Nation,” starring Eric Roberts. His resume included appearances in films such as “Ratboy” in 1986, “Nickel & Dime” in 1992, “High Strung” in 1992, and Roger Corman’s “Carnosaur” in 1993.
Television roles throughout his career included episodes of “Madame’s Place,” “Cheers,” “MacGyver,” “Hooperman,” “Matlock,” “L.A. Law,” “Sisters,” “Father Dowling Mysteries,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “House.” Williams remained professionally active into his 90s, with his final credited appearance in the series “Hollywood Radio Players” in 2022 and 2023.
Williams is survived by his wife Nancy, whom he married in September 1954, sons Fred and Ian, and grandchildren Stephanie and Maureen.
