A Beloved Comedy Icon Rests at 98
Ed Williams
Hollywood has bid farewell to one of its enduring actors of comedy, character roles and late-blooming stardom. Ed Williams passed away on October 2, 2025, in Los Angeles at the age of 98. People.com+2Wikipedia+2 His death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, to The Hollywood Reporter. People.com+1 With his passing, one of the last continuing links to the original cast of the beloved spoof series Police Squad! and the feature films of The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! has faded.
Early Life & Service
Edwin Wallace Williams was born on November 26, 1926, in San Jose, California. IMDb+1 Before his on-screen career, he served in the U.S. Navy, a chapter of his life that formed the bedrock of his discipline and character. IMDb+1 After his service, Williams gravitated toward broadcasting and education—a path less typical for actors who begin early in life.
Broadcasting, Teaching & Transition to Acting
Williams moved to Los Angeles in 1955 and entered the media world—first in radio, then as a booth announcer. IMDb+1 He subsequently devoted many years to teaching broadcasting and speech at Los Angeles City College. IMDb+1
His teaching years were not simply a prelude—they were a core part of his professional identity before he pivoted into acting “late in life.” He later said he felt he’d been “trained to be a surgeon but didn’t quite get in the operating room.” IMDb+1
Breakthrough as Ted Olson and the Naked Gun Legacy
Though Williams appeared in many roles, his name became best‐known for playing lab scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! (1982), and then in the three Naked Gun films (1988, 1991, 1994). Fandango+2IMDb+2
His trademark deadpan delivery and straight-faced presenting of absurd inventions—like the “Swiss-army shoe” and “anti-graffiti wall” from the spoof series—captured a unique comedic niche. IMDb+1
Williams was one of the few cast members who spanned the TV series and all films of that franchise, together with Leslie Nielsen. New York Post+1
His role made him a memorable part of comedy history—even though he entered the screen world much later than many of his peers.
A Versatile and Varied Career
Beyond the Naked Gun films, Williams demonstrated range. He appeared in television shows like MacGyver, Matlock, L.A. Law, and The Bold and the Beautiful. Fandango+1
On the big screen, he portrayed clergy figures, such as the Reverend in Father of the Bride (1991). Rotten Tomatoes He also appeared in the horror‐thriller Carnosaur (1993), showing his willingness to step into unexpected territory. Fandango
Remarkably, though he “retired” from full-time acting around 2010, he made occasional appearances even via Zoom in 2022–23 with the Hollywood Radio Players, illustrating his ongoing passion for performance. Fandango+1
Personal Life & Legacy
Williams placed family and service ahead of stardom. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sons Fred and Ian; and grandchildren Maureen and Stephanie. New York Post
Colleagues recalled him not only for his craft but for his warmth, mentorship and generosity—a teacher’s heart even amid Hollywood lights.
The passing of Williams marks the closing of a chapter: many of his Naked Gun co-stars have passed on (including Leslie Nielsen, George Kennedy, Ricardo Montalbán). New York Post With his death, the era of that particular brand of slapstick, deadpan comedy edges further into memory—but his performances remain.
A Life Lived Fully
From San Jose to Navy service, from radio booths to broadcast classrooms, from the teacher’s desk to the comedy stage—Williams’ journey was rich, layered and courageous. He reinvented himself mid-life and became part of comedic history.
He once said reflecting on his late start: “I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting.” People.com
At age 98, Ed Williams leaves a legacy of laughter, sincerity and late-blooming triumph.
“The world really lost an amazing man… everyone who had the absolute pleasure of meeting Steve Bridges loved him,” one friend said of another legend—but the sentiment could equally apply to Williams. New York Post
His characters will continue delivering laughs, but his real self—kind, grounded, patient—will be the quiet inheritance for those who knew him beyond the screen.
Final Thoughts
When we watch The Naked Gun today, it’s easy to smile at the gags. Let us also remember the man behind the tie-clip darts and lab shoes: a dedicated teacher, a late-career actor who found his voice, and a person who showed that life stories don’t have to begin youth to matter.
Rest in peace, Ed Williams—your timing was timeless, your character unforgettable, and your final act one of dignity and joy.
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New York Post
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