David Huddleston David Huddleston was a character actor who appeared on , playing the holographic train conductor in the seventh season episode in . A veteran of film and television , Huddleston made his film debut with an uncredited bit part in the 1963 classic " All the Way Home " , which starred fellow TNG guest performer Jean Simmons . Later , he probably became best known for playing Mayor Olson Johnson in the 1974 comedy classic and as the eponymous title character in " The Big Lebowski " ( 1998 , with Jack Kehler and Leon Russom ) . He was also known for his - nominated recurring role as Grandpa Arnold on . star Robert Picardo also had a recurring role in this series , and even appeared in one episode featuring Huddleston , while TNG guest star Olivia d ' Abo was a regular on the series portraying Huddleston ' s character ' s granddaughter . Huddleston also made a few appearances as A . J . Covington on , and also appeared ( as a different character ) in the 1971 " Waltons " TV special " The Homecoming : A Christmas Story " , which also featured guest star William Windom . Huddleston also played the title role in the film " Santa Claus : The Movie " ( 1985 ) . Other film credits include " Rio Lobo " ( 1970 , with John Wayne and Gregg Palmer ) , " Bad Company " ( 1972 , with John Savage and Ed Lauter ) , " Nightmare Honeymoon " ( 1973 , with Roy Jenson and Walter Koenig ) , " McQ " ( 1974 , with John Wayne and Diana Muldaur ) , " Breakhart Pass " ( 1975 , with Jill Ireland , Ed Lauter , and Roy Jenson ) , " The Greatest " ( 1977 , with Skip Homeier , David Clennon , Lloyd Haynes , Malachi Throne , and Paul Winfield ) , the science fiction classic " Capricorn One " ( 1978 , with James B . Sikking ) , and " Frantic " ( 1988 ) . He worked in two Italian movies with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill , " Crime Buster " ( 1977 ) and " Go for it " ( 1983 ) , both directed by Enzo Barboni . His TV movie credits include " Brian ' s Song " ( 1971 , with Bernie Casey ) , " Sarge " ( 1971 , with Ricardo Montalban and Stewart Moss ) , " Sherlock Holmes in New York " ( 1976 , with John Abbott and Paul Sorenson ) , " The Oklahoma City Dolls " ( 1981 , with Robert Hooks and Robert Easton ) , " Finnegan Begin Again " ( 1985 , with Bob Gunton and Avery Brooks ) , " Columbo Cries Wolf " ( 1990 , with Mark Margolis and Jimmy Ortega ) , and " In a Child ' s Name " ( 1991 , with Louise Fletcher and James Cromwell ) . From 1974 through 1976 , he and TOS guest star Susan Howard were regulars on the TV series " Petrocelli " , and in 1979 , he co - starred with TOS / TNG actress Diana Muldaur on the short - lived " Hizzonner " ( on which Huddleston also served as executive producer ) . He was also part of the ensemble of the 1976 mini - series " Once an Eagle " , as were fellow " Trek " alumni James Cromwell , George Murdock , Andrew Robinson , William Windom , and Anthony Zerbe . The following year , he co - starred with Paul Fix , Roy Jenson , Richard Kiley , and Anthony Zerbe in the mini - series " How the West Was Won " . He has also made guest appearances on such programs as " Bewitched " , " Gunsmoke " , " Mary Tyler Moore " , " Bonanza " , " The Rockford Files " , " Sanford and Son " , " Barnaby Jones " ( with Lee Meriwether ) , " Benson " ( with Rene Auberjonois and Ethan Phillips ) , " Trapper John , M . D . " ( with Madge Sinclair ) , " Murder , She Wrote " , and " Walker , Texas Ranger " ( with Noble Willingham ) . Further television credits include recurring roles as a senator on " The West Wing " ( 2000 and 2002 ) and as a mayor on " Gilmore Girls " ( 2000 - 2001 ) . More recent film work includes the short film " Reveille " ( 2004 ) , the musical comedy " The Producers " ( 2005 , with Michael McKean , Andrea Martin , and Ruth Williamson ) , the short drama " Old Glory " ( 2007 ) , the comedy " Postal " ( 2007 , with Erick Avari , Seymour Cassel , and Bill Mondy ) , the thriller " Locker 13 " ( 2009 , with Jason Marsden ) , and the short comedy " The Benevolent Byzantine Order of the Nobles of the Enigmatic Oracle " ( 2010 ) , as well as guest roles in episodes of " Andy Barker , P . I . " ( 2007 , with Harve Presnell ) , " Jericho " ( 2007 - 2008 , with Alicia Coppola , Titus Welliver , and Daniel Benzali ) , and " It ' s Always Sunny in Philadelphia " ( 2009 , with William Morgan Sheppard and Christopher Lloyd ) . Huddleston died at the age of 85 on 2 August 2016 following a battle with liver and kidney disease .