Tribute to a Comedy Cornerstone
Ed Williams, the actor best known for his deadpan scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun film series, has died at the age of 98. Williams passed away on October 2 in Los Angeles, a death confirmed by his granddaughter Stephanie Williams. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news. His long career spanned more than four decades of screen work and earned him a special place in the pantheon of American comedy.
From Straight Face to Running Gag
Williams’ breakthrough came opposite Leslie Nielsen in the cult favorite Police Squad!, where his clinical, poker-faced demonstrations provided some of the show’s most enduring gags. The pair’s chemistry translated seamlessly to the big screen in The Naked Gun franchise, where Williams reprised Ted Olson as a running joke through his orthodox “scientific demonstrations.” Audiences came to expect his precise, monotone delivery as a counterpoint to Nielsen’s chaos, helping to establish the franchise’s signature comedic rhythm.
A Career Built on Ministers and Moments
Though he became synonymous with scientific seriousness, Williams was a versatile actor adept at inhabiting reverends, priests, and ministers across film and TV. He explained in interviews that agents often cast him in religious roles, a habit he regarded with good humor. One of his most beloved appearances came in 1991’s Father of the Bride, in which he officiated Annie Banks and Bryan MacKenzie’s wedding. The scene remains a favorite among fans of Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and the era’s feel-good rom-com sensibilities. Keaton’s passing, reported recently, adds a melancholic layer to Williams’ reflection on working with a generation of luminaries who shaped modern comedy.
Beyond The Naked Gun: A Rich Body of Work
Williams’ filmography extended beyond the Naked Gun universe. He appeared in Ratboy (1986), Nickel & Dime (1992), High Strung (1992), and Roger Corman’s Carnosaur (1993). His television credits include cameos and recurring roles on Madame’s Place, Cheers, MacGyver, Hooperman, Matlock, LA Law, Sisters, Father Dowling Mysteries, and House. A consistent presence on screen for more than 40 years, Williams remained active into his 90s, a testament to his screen discipline and love for the craft.
Looking Back on a Life in the Spotlight
Williams’ journey to Hollywood began in Baltimore before he and his wife Nancy moved to California in 1955. Before acting, he taught at The Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences. He later recalled how his agency once steered him toward ministerial roles, a niche he joked helped shape a storied career. Reflections on his work with Nielsen highlighted the mutual respect they shared—Williams described Nielsen as a consummate professional who “really knew how to do it and do it well.”
A Personal Note of Gratitude and Legacy
In confirming the news of his passing, Williams’ family shared that he leaves behind his wife Nancy, their children, and grandchildren. While the cause of death has not been released, the actor’s legacy lives on in the distinctive deadpan humor and earnest warmth that defined his performances. His ability to bring levity to scenes of all kinds—whether through a formal wedding officiation or a mock-serious laboratory demonstration—remains a hallmark of his contribution to American comedy.
A Final Curtain for a Beloved Comic Figure
As fans reflect on a career that spanned more than four decades, Ed Williams’ name remains synonymous with a particular era of on-screen chuckles—where straight-faced delivery met fast-paced physical humor to create moments of unforgettable wit. His presence, quiet and controlled, offered a counterpoint that allowed beloved co-stars to shine, a dynamic that helped shape jokes that still land with audiences today.
Security and warmth characterized Williams off-screen as well. He was remembered by colleagues and fans as a generous performer who understood that laughter, in all its forms, can be a unifying force. The entertainment community continues to celebrate his contributions as a foundational figure in a franchise that changed how people think about spoof crime comedies.
