Star Wars star Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his agent of 10 years has confirmed to Metro.
The English actor, most famous for his role as Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, died from pneumonia after contracting Covid, on Monday June 30 in Ashford, Kent.
In a statement to Metro, his agent Julian Owen said he was admitted to hospital after a fall with an injured arm, however he ‘quickly’ contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia.
‘He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside,’ Julian said.
With over 150 TV and film acting credits to his name, aside from his Star Wars role, Colley portrayed Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Ken Uttley in 13 episodes of 90s show Moving Story.
Colley, whose career spanned over 60 years in film, television and theatre, also portrayed eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC.
Colley was born on 7 December 1937 in Manchester, and started his acting career in 1961 at the Leicester repertory theatre as a stagehand and ensemble player.
He soon joined esteemed companies like the Old Vic in London, the Royal Court, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The actor’s early TV work included a minor role in The Avengers in 1963, and appearances in series such as The Sweeney, and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.
Colley’s first movie role came in 1964, where he portrayed a Covent Garden Porter in the drama Seventy Deadly Pills.
The big international breakthrough came for Colley in 1980 when he was asked by George Lucas to play Admiral Piett.
This led to parts in many big international productions such as Clint Eastwood’s Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance.
Colley’s favourite role was playing Estragon in the stage production of Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014.
In his later years, Colley featured in shows like Holby City and a two-part Doctor Who special.
Colley’s final on-screen role came in 2016, where he played Vincente Changretta in Series 3 of the BBC TV drama Peaky Blinders.
For his part in the Star Wars universe, Colley enjoyed conventions and official fan events all over the world.
Taking to Facebook, Alliance Agents also shared: ‘With great sadness I need to let everyone know that our lovely client and friend Ken Colley passed away on Monday after a short illness. He was 87.’
The statement added: ‘Ken loved attending conventions and meeting the fans. He travelled all over the world yet could never quite grasp why everyone wanted his autograph. He was a very humble man with an incredibly dry wit. Ken loved his garden, art, cars and the occasional Porn Star Martini.
‘His wife Mary died several years ago, since then he has been looked after by his friend Lynn. Ken lived in Hythe in Kent.
‘It has been a pleasure representing Ken over the years. He wasn’t just a client, but also a friend.’
Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute, as @NoZoup wrote: ‘Man… I’m gutted today. Learned Ken Colley passed away. Admiral Piett is one of my favorite SW characters and favorite officer along with Veers.’
Nicolas Holmes said: Aww that’s really sad Ken was a lovely fellow. I just watched him yesterday being Jesus in “Life of Brian” – probably the 100th time I’ve seen it! Thank you Ken and May the Force be with you, always.’
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