Legendary Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley passes away at 87 due to Covid-19 and pneumonia

Kenneth Colley was a British actor most remembered for playing Admiral Piett in Star Wars. He passed away at the age of 87 on June 30, 2025 due to a fall and subsequent Covid followed by pneumonia. Colley had a great career in cinema, television, and theatre, and he was noted for his unassuming personality and gentle charm.

In Star Wars, Colley portrayed Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi created by George Lucas. Star Wars franchise started as a space fantasy inspired by myths and classic films and it grew into a massive franchise that continues to influence pop culture even today.

More about Kenneth Colley

Julian Owen, agent of the actor shared that Kenneth Colley died in his Ashford, Kent, home and he was surrounded with his close freinds at the time of his passing.

Colley's arm was injured in a recent fall and he had contracted Covid-19 while in the hospital. This further progressed to pneumonia and unfortunately, he could not recover.

Kenneth Colley's acting career spanned more than 60 years. He starred in several movies, TV series, and plays, yet many fans only know him from Star Wars.

He played Admiral Piett in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, making him the only Imperial officer to appear in the original Star Wars films.

Colley also appeared as Jesus in the comedy film Monty Python's Life of Brian. In the movie he collaborated with renowned British comedians such as John Cleese and Michael Palin.

He acted in many stage plays and television dramas. One of his favorite roles was Estragon in Waiting for Godot, which he performed in London in 2014.

Colley continued to connect with fans over the years. This was especially through Star Wars conventions and his agent said he never fully understood why people wanted his autograph but always enjoyed meeting them.

Kenneth Colley enjoyed collecting art, fast automobiles, and maybe a beverage. This was in addition to his passion for his garden. When a few years ago, his wife, Mary passed away, his good buddy Lynn took care of him.

More about Star Wars

George Lucas claimed that Star Wars originated as his idea for a space adventure. It was primarily influenced by science fiction serials, classic cinema, and mythical stories.

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Despite early studio reservations and production challenges, Lucas stated that the release of A New Hope in 1977 surpassed expectations. It majorly introduced characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. This created the groundwork for a worldwide phenomenon.

Following the original trilogy's popularity, industry insiders noted that Lucas was able to develop the plot. This was majorly done through prequels. Additionally, Disney's recent acquisition have resulted in additional spin-offs, sequels, and television shows like The Mandalorian.

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