Ed Williams, Beloved Actor, Passes Away at 98

Ed Williams, a well-known Hollywood actor, has sadly passed away at the age of 98 in California.

His granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, reported that he died on October 2 in Los Angeles. Williams gained fame primarily from his roles in the cult classic film “Naked Gun” and the series “Police Squad!”

Born in San Jose, California, in November 1926, Williams ventured into acting after serving in the U.S. Navy. He started on stage and appeared in over 200 theater productions, all while also working as a salesman for KSJO Radio.

After relocating to Los Angeles with his wife in 1955, he began teaching at the Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts, eventually moving on to Los Angeles City College, where he taught broadcasting while serving as a booth announcer for KCET TV.

Williams found significant success in 1982 when he landed a role in the short-lived “Police Squad!” This led to his memorable performance in Ted Olsen’s “The Naked Gun: From the Police Squad Files!” and its subsequent sequels. Interestingly, the “Naked Gun” series has seen a recent reboot featuring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.

After a prolific teaching career spanning almost three decades, Williams retired from Los Angeles City College in 1989.

His filmography also includes notable performances in “Father of the Bride,” “Ratboy,” and “Giant of Thunder Mountain.” In more recent years, he appeared in the series “Hollywood Radio Players” in 2022 and 2023, as well as an episode of “House” back in 2010.

Surviving Williams are his wife, Nancy, and their two sons, Fred and Ian. The couple also leaves behind two grandchildren, Stephanie and Maureen.