Star Wars' Admiral Piett Actor Kenneth Colley Dies at 87

Kenneth Colley, renowned for portraying Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has passed away at age 87 after battling COVID-19 and pneumonia. The beloved British actor brought to life one of Star Wars' most memorable Imperial officers while also earning acclaim for his portrayal of Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian.

A Storied Career in Iconic Roles

Colley's Admiral Piett commanded Darth Vader's flagship Executor in the original Star Wars trilogy, later reprising the character in 2012's Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. His agent Julian Owen highlighted Colley's remarkable 60-year career that ranged from avant-garde cinema to Shakespearean theater, including memorable collaborations with director Ken Russell.

According to the BBC, Colley died peacefully at his Kent home on Monday. His agent revealed the actor had recently been hospitalized after a fall, during which he contracted COVID-19 that progressed to pneumonia.

Behind the Scenes of an Iconic Character

The Daily Mail reported that Piett wasn't originally slated to appear in Return of the Jedi, but overwhelming fan response convinced George Lucas to bring back the character. Colley himself shared that director Irvin Kershner specifically sought "someone who would frighten Hitler" when casting the Imperial officer - a requirement Colley's intense screen presence perfectly fulfilled.

Beyond Star Wars, Colley's filmography included cult classics like Britannia Hospital and television roles ranging from Doctor Who to The Bill, cementing his status as one of Britain's most versatile character actors.