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Ed Williams, Deadpan Scientist in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun, Dies at 98

His death was confirmed by his granddaughter to The Hollywood Reporter.

Overview

  • He died at home in California on October 2, according to family confirmation, at the age of 98.
  • He was best known for playing Ted Olsen in ABC’s Police Squad! and for reprising the role in The Naked Gun films alongside Leslie Nielsen.
  • Police Squad! ran only six episodes yet developed a cult following that propelled the successful film franchise.
  • Born in San José in 1926, he left acting for roughly two decades to teach broadcasting in Los Angeles before returning to auditions in the mid-1970s and retiring from teaching in 1989.
  • Beyond his signature role, he appeared in Father of the Bride (1991) and projects including Ratboy, Nickel & Dime, Carnosaur, with reports differing on his final credit between House (2010) and Hollywood Radio Players (2022–2023).