Christian Fuller
BBC News, South East
Getty Images
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent has announced
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his agent has announced.
The film and television performer is best known for starring in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as Admiral Piett, an imperial officer in command of Darth Vader’s flagship.
He died peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, on Monday after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent Julian Owen said in a statement.
“Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,” Mr Owens said.
“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.”
The statement said Colley had been admitted to hospital with an injured arm after a fall, but he quickly contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia.
He died with friends at his bedside, it added.
PA Media
Kenneth Colley (right) and fellow actor Michael Culver often attended Star Wars celebration events
In later years, Colley reprised his role of Admiral Piett when he voiced the character in the 2012 animated Lego production, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.
He also had parts in international productions including Clint Eastwood’s Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance.
Mr Owen said Colley’s paticipation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and fan events all over the world.
“Ken also loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars,” he added.
Colley is also known for playing Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin.