Ed Williams, the beloved actor best known for his role as the deadpan scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun film series, has died at the age of 98.

On Thursday, his granddaughter Stephanie Williams confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter he passed away on October 2 in Los Angeles.

A familiar face to generations of comedy fans, Williams first captured audiences with his straight-faced delivery opposite Leslie Nielsen in Police Squad!, the cult-favorite ABC series. 

He later reprised the role of Ted Olson in the blockbuster Naked Gun movies, where his ‘scientific demonstrations’ became a fan-favorite running gag.

Beyond his work in comedy, Williams was frequently cast as a man of the cloth, playing reverends, priests and ministers throughout his decades-long career.  

One of his most memorable turns came in 1991’s Father of the Bride, in which he officiated the wedding of Annie Banks (played by Kimberly Williams) and Bryan MacKenzie (George Newbern) in the beloved romantic comedy starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, who died of pneumonia at age 79 last week.

Ed Williams, the beloved actor best known for his role as the deadpan scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun film series, has died at the age of 98

Ed Williams, the beloved actor best known for his role as the deadpan scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad! and The Naked Gun film series, has died at the age of 98

Williams’s warm screen presence and comedic timing made him a staple of both film and television for more than 40 years.

A cause of death was not immediately released.

His other credits include Ratboy (1986), Nickel & Dime (1992), High Strung (1992) and Roger Corman’s Carnosaur (1993).

He also made cameos on Madame’s Place, Cheers, MacGyver, Hooperman, Matlock, LA Law, Sisters, Father Dowling Mysteries and House.

The actor, who continued acting into his 90s, first moved to Hollywood with his wife, Nancy, in 1955. 

Before beginning his career as an actor, he worked as a teacher at The Don Martin School of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences. 

While reflecting on his career with  Matthew Worley of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Williams said his agent, at the time, ‘loved to put’ him ‘in ministers’ parts, priests and ministers’.

‘So I got stuck on a lot of ministers for a long time there,’ he mused.

A familiar face to generations of comedy fans, Williams first captured audiences with his straight-faced delivery opposite Leslie Nielsen in Police Squad!, the cult-favorite ABC series

A familiar face to generations of comedy fans, Williams first captured audiences with his straight-faced delivery opposite Leslie Nielsen in Police Squad!, the cult-favorite ABC series

Beyond his work in comedy, Williams was frequently cast as a man of the cloth, playing reverends, priests and ministers throughout his decades-long career

Beyond his work in comedy, Williams was frequently cast as a man of the cloth, playing reverends, priests and ministers throughout his decades-long career

The actor, who continued acting into his 90s, first moved to Hollywood with his wife, Nancy, in 1955

The actor, who continued acting into his 90s, first moved to Hollywood with his wife, Nancy, in 1955

Eventually, he said he ‘called to read for the people were producing Father of the Bride.’

‘I was due to go up to see my mother, had a airplane booked even, and they said, “Oh no, no, you must stay,” and so luckily Southwest was very kind they’ve moved the flight and I read for them and I got the part,’ he revealed. 

While describing his experience on that set, he raved ‘it was a pleasure doing it’ and he was ‘grateful to be in it’.

As for what it was like working with Nielsen in The Naked Gun franchise, Williams said he was ‘a consummate professional’.

‘He really knew how to do it and do it well and I have nothing but respect for him,’  Williams said.

Williams is survived by his wife Nancy, their children and grandchildren.Â