Kenneth Colley, Star Wars' Admiral Piett, Dies at 87 from Covid and Pneumonia

British actor Kenneth Colley, best known for his role as Admiral Piett in *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, has passed away at the age of 87. His death occurred peacefully at his home in Kent, UK, following a battle with pneumonia after contracting Covid-19, according to reports from the BBC.

Colley portrayed the composed and loyal Imperial officer in command of Darth Vader’s flagship, the *Executor*, bringing a quiet intensity to the role. His performance resonated with fans, leading to the character's return in *Return of the Jedi*—a decision reportedly influenced by an influx of fan mail, as revealed by the Daily Mail. George Lucas himself acknowledged the character's popularity, ensuring Piett’s presence in the sequel despite not being originally planned.

Beyond the Star Wars universe, Colley had a rich and varied career spanning six decades. He was celebrated as a distinguished character actor across stage, film, and television. One of his most notable roles was portraying Jesus in Monty Python’s satirical classic *Life of Brian*. He also appeared in several Ken Russell films, often taking on eccentric or villainous roles, and delivered a powerful performance as the Duke of Vienna in the BBC’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s *Measure for Measure*.

His agent, Julian Owen, paid tribute, stating, “Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years. 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.”

Colley had been hospitalized due to an arm injury sustained in a fall, but his condition worsened after contracting Covid-19, which rapidly developed into pneumonia. Despite his iconic status in the Star Wars franchise, he remained a humble and approachable figure, frequently attending fan conventions and engaging warmly with the community.

Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died aged 87. Image credit: YouTube.

A respected presence on screen and stage, Colley’s legacy lives on through his memorable performances and the lasting impression he made on fans worldwide.

Colley was a popular guest at Star Wars conventions. Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images.