Veteran actor Ed Williams, renowned for his portrayal of Ted Olson in ABC's 'Police Squad!' and its spin-off film series, 'The Naked Gun', passed away on October 2 in Los Angeles at the age of 98. His granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, confirmed his death. Born Edwin Wallace Williams on November 26, 1926, his passing reportedly occurred just days after that of his alleged 'Father of the Bride' co-star, Diane Keaton, who was initially reported to have died at 79.

Before relocating to Los Angeles in 1955, Williams had established a thriving career in theatre and radio productions. He later began delivering speech classes at LA City College, an unexpected path that led directly to his pivotal casting as Olson in 'Police Squad!'. In a 2017 interview with Matthew Worley of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Williams reflected on this phase of his life, stating, "I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting."

'Police Squad!' first aired in March 1982, comprising a short run of six episodes. Despite its brief television stint, the show's unique comedic style garnered a cult following and was successfully adapted into the Paramount Pictures film franchise, which included 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!', 'The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear', and 'Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult'.

Interestingly, Williams experienced a significant 24-year hiatus from auditioning for acting roles. He attributed this long break to his strong principles against professors who would "moonlight and make a lot of money on the side and neglect their classes," a practice he found infuriating. However, as his teaching schedule began to clear, he eagerly embraced the opportunity to return to his craft, likening his desire to act to a surgeon's longing for the operating room: "I felt like the [guy] who's been trained to be a surgeon, but he didn't quite get in the operating room. I wanted to get in the operating room."

Upon news of his death, tributes quickly appeared on social media, with supporters honoring his memory. One post read, "RIP Naked Gun's Ted!" Another shared, "#RIP Ed Williams, perfect as lab scientist Ted Olson on 'Police Squad!' and the original 'Naked Gun' films." A third comment acknowledged his commitment to his teaching profession, stating, "As a teacher, he had put aside acting for 24 years. 'I do not approve of professors who go out and moonlight and neglect their classes,' he said. "Rest in peace, Mr. Williams."

The report also detailed the passing of Ed's "fellow performer," Diane, identified as the acclaimed 'Annie Hall' star. While initially connected to Williams' death by mere days, it was later revealed that Diane, also referred to as the 'Godfather' legend, succumbed to pneumonia on October 11 at the age of 79. Her relatives recently released a statement confirming the cause of death and expressing profound gratitude for the "extraordinary" messages of love and support they had received.

The Keaton family conveyed their appreciation via People magazine, stating, "The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11." To honor her memory, the family recommended that those wishing to pay tribute could contribute to one of her cherished charities, emphasizing her dedication to animals and her unwavering support for the unhoused community. They suggested donations to local food banks or animal shelters as a fitting tribute.

Sources close to the family indicated that Diane's health had "declined very suddenly" prior to her death, rendering her passing particularly unexpected and heartbreaking for those who loved her. "It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit," a source revealed to People magazine. During her final months, she was reportedly surrounded exclusively by her closest family, who chose to keep her condition private. This period also saw her decision in March to list her "dream home" in Brentwood, California, for sale, despite previous intentions to reside there permanently. Additionally, she was no longer regularly observed walking her dogs in the area, marking a quiet retreat from public life before her passing.