Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87 after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia.
The English actor, best known for playing Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as well as Jesus in the Monty Pyhton's Life of Brian, died peacefully on Monday, June 30, in Ashford, Kent.
His agent of 10 years, Julian Owen, confirmed that Colley had been admitted to the hospital after a fall with an injured arm.
However, he quickly contracted Covid, which developed into pneumonia.
Kenneth Colley (left) meets with Star Wars fans
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Colley played the imperial officer in command of Darth Vader's flagship in the original Star Wars trilogy, becoming one of the most recognisable faces from the films.
Julian Owen issued a statement confirming the sad news: "He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside.
"Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years."
The statement continued: "Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure for the BBC."
Kenneth Colley developed pneumonia before his death
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Owen highlighted that Colley's favourite role was playing Estragon in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014.
Colley reprised his role as Admiral Piett in 2012, voicing the character for the animated Lego production, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.
His involvement in Star Wars led to invitations to conventions and official fan events worldwide.
Owen's statement noted: "Ken's participation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and official fan events all over the World where he remains one of the best-loved actors from the original trilogy."
Notably, Colley was the only actor to play an Imperial officer in multiple Star Wars films, appearing in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Beyond Star Wars, Colley portrayed Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin.
He worked extensively with director Ken Russell, appearing in films including The Music Lovers, The Devils, Mahler and Lisztomania.
His international work included roles in Clint Eastwood's Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance.
Kenneth Colley was best known for his Star Wars role
In recent years, he appeared in television programmes including Holby City, Peaky Blinders and Doctor Who.
Owen's statement revealed Colley's personal passions: "Ken loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars." The actor lived in Hythe, Kent.
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