Actors of ‘The Naked Gun’ Who Have Passed Away
The Naked Gun franchise, with its four feature films from 1988 to 2025, is a comedy goldmine we still love. From Lt. Frank Drebin’s bumbling heroics to wild gags at baseball games and award shows, these movies keep us in stitches.
Many actors who made these films unforgettable have passed away, but their performances live on. Below, we honor all 20 actors and actresses from the four Naked Gun films who have died as of August 3, 2025, celebrating their roles that shaped this comedy classic.
1. Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith played Tanya Peters, Rocco’s sultry moll, in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). Her campy, over-the-top role leaned into the film’s absurdity, earning laughs. Smith died on February 8, 2007, at 39, from a drug overdose.
2. Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen was Lt. Frank Drebin in the first three Naked Gun films (1988–1994), his deadpan delivery making every gag iconic. The heart of the series, he defined spoof comedy. Nielsen died on November 28, 2010, at 84, from pneumonia.
3. Charlotte Rae
Charlotte Rae played Mrs. Redmond in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), delivering a brief but hilarious cameo. Known for The Facts of Life (1979–1988), she died on August 5, 2018, at 92, from bone cancer.
4. George Kennedy
George Kennedy was Capt. Ed Hocken in all three original Naked Gun films (1988–1994), grounding the chaos as Drebin’s straight-man boss. An Oscar winner for Cool Hand Luke (1967), he died on February 28, 2016, at 91, from heart disease.
5. Ricardo Montalbán
Ricardo Montalbán played Vincent Ludwig, the slick villain in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988). His suave charm, seen in Fantasy Island (1977–1984), boosted the comedy. He died on January 14, 2009, at 88, from congestive heart failure.
6. Kathleen Freeman
Kathleen Freeman was Mama Dillon, Rocco’s tough mother, in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). Her gritty humor, known from The Blues Brothers (1980), stole scenes. Freeman died on August 23, 2001, at 82, from lung cancer.
7. O. J. Simpson
O.J. Simpson played Det. Nordberg in the first three Naked Gun films (1988–1994), shining with accident-prone physical comedy. A fan favorite, he died on April 10, 2024, at 76, from cancer.
8. Lloyd Bochner
Lloyd Bochner was Baggett in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), adding a villainous edge to the climax. Known for Dynasty (1981–1989), he died on October 29, 2005, at 81, from cancer.
9. Jeannette Charles
Jeannette Charles, a Queen Elizabeth II lookalike, played the Queen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988). Her regal cameo was a comedic gem. Charles died on June 2, 2024, at 96, from natural causes.
10. Fred Ward
Fred Ward played Rocco, the villain scheming to bomb the Academy Awards in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994). Known for Tremors (1990), his performance mixed menace and humor. Ward died on May 8, 2022, at 79; the cause wasn’t shared.
11. Joyce Brothers
Joyce Brothers appeared as Herself in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), spoofing her pop-psychologist persona. Her quirky cameo added flair. Brothers died on May 13, 2013, at 85, from natural causes.
12. Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths played Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer and Earl Hacker in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991). His dual roles, known from Harry Potter (2001–2010), were a comedic highlight. Griffiths died on March 28, 2013, at 65, from heart surgery complications.
13. Charlotte Zucker
Charlotte Zucker, mother of directors David and Jerry Zucker, played a Nurse in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991). Her cameo was a sweet family nod. She died on September 5, 2007; the cause wasn’t disclosed.
14. Lawrence Tierney
Lawrence Tierney was the Angel Manager in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), bringing his tough-guy vibe to the baseball scenes. Known for Reservoir Dogs (1992), he died on February 26, 2002, at 82, from pneumonia.
15. Tiny Ron Taylor
Tiny Ron Taylor played Al in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), his towering frame adding humor with his head out of frame. Known for Ace Ventura (1994), he died on October 28, 2024, at 77, from heart complications.
16. Nancy Marchand
Nancy Marchand played Mayor Lillian Barkley in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), adding authority to the chaos. Known for The Sopranos (1999–2007), she died on June 18, 2000, at 71, from lung cancer and emphysema.
17. Burton Zucker
Burton Zucker, father of the Zucker brothers, was a Lab Technician in The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991). His small role was a fun family touch. He died on September 15, 2008, at 91; the cause wasn’t shared.
18. Bill Zuckert
Bill Zuckert played an Old Man in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), adding a funny cameo to the film’s chaos. A veteran character actor, he died on January 23, 1997, at 81, from cancer.
19. Earl Boen
Earl Boen played Dr. Eisendrath in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), a minor but memorable role as a doctor in the prison scenes. Known for the Terminator series (1984–1991), he died on January 9, 2023, at 81, from lung cancer.
20. Joe Grifasi
Joe Grifasi was a Pier 32 Dockman in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), adding grit to the dockyard scene. Known for Moonstruck (1987), he died on October 11, 2023, at 79, from natural causes.
Which Naked Gun scene from these stars is your favorite, or is there one we should revisit for a laugh? Share your thoughts in the comments!
