LONDON, UK — The world has lost a beloved actor and a cherished part of the Star Wars universe with the passing of Kenneth Colley, who died at the age of 87 following a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia.

LONDON, UK — The world has lost a beloved actor and a cherished part of the Star Wars universe with the passing of Kenneth Colley, who died at the age of 87 following a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia.

The world mourns the loss of Kenneth Colley, the brilliant British character actor best known to Star Wars fans as Admiral Firmus Piett, who has passed away at the age of 87 in London, UK—after bravely battling COVID‑19 and pneumonia.

🎬 A Storied Career Spanning Six Decades

Born in Manchester on December 7, 1937, Kenneth Colley began his acting journey in repertory theatre before making his screen debut in the early 1960s. Over a career spanning more than 60 years, his versatility led him through roles across film, television, and stage.

In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), he earned fame as Admiral Piett, the only Imperial officer in the original trilogy portrayed in more than one film—reprised later in Return of the Jedi (1983) Yahoo+14Wikipedia+14TheWrap+14. He even returned to voice Piett in the 2012 animated Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out Indiatimes+9TheWrap+9The Independent+9.

Beyond Star Wars, Colley played Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), and took on various complex characters in Ken Russell films—such as Chopin in Lisztomania, Krenek in Mahler, and roles in The Music Lovers and The Devils New York Post+13Wikipedia+13The Guardian+13. He also portrayed the Duke of Vienna in the BBC’s Measure for Measure, and appeared in major productions like Clint Eastwood’s Firefox, and the WWII epic War and Remembrance People.com+12Wikipedia+12Indiatimes+12.

His favourite theatrical role, his agent noted, was playing Estragon in Waiting for Godot at London’s Cockpit Theatre in 2014 GameFAQs+6TheWrap+6https://www.wwnytv.com+6.

💔 Final Days and Cause of Death

Colley suffered a fall at home that caused an arm injury, for which he was hospitalized. While in care, he contracted COVID‑19, which unfortunately progressed into pneumonia. He died on June 30, 2025, at his residence in Ashford, Kent, surrounded by friends .

His agent, Julian Owen, described him as “one of our finest character actors,” whose career encompassed roles from vaunted religious figures to notorious historical icons .

🌟 Legacy & Fan Tributes

• Colley’s Admiral Piett became a fan favourite not by virtue of villainy, but through depth, humility, and surprisingly human vulnerability—qualities that earned him enduring admiration in the Star Wars community .

• Sir Michael Palin, his co-star in Life of Brian, commented:
  “Ken Colley was always dependable, always convincing, and great to work with. We’ve lost a very special actor and a very good man.”

• Among fans and fiction alike, Piett lives on in novels, comics, video games, and conventions—where Colley remained a beloved presence until his later years .

📌 Role Highlights

🌿 Beyond the Camera

Colley cultivated passions outside of the spotlight, enjoyed gardening, art collecting, and maintained a love for fast cars, as recounted by his agent. His warm presence made him a beloved figure among peers and fans alike

🧠 In Summary

• Kenneth Colley, aged 87, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, in Ashford, Kent, after complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia .

• He earned global recognition as Admiral Piett, the only Imperial officer reprised in two Star Wars films, remembered for bringing humanity to a role in the original trilogyHis rich acting legacy spans stage, screen, and genre—from religious satire and Shakespeare to historical epics and sci‑fi classics.

• A respected and deeply committed performer, Colley leaves behind a lasting impact as one of cinema and theatre’s most reliable and soulful character actors.