Star Wars Actor Kenneth Colley Dies At 87: Cause Of Death And Career Highlights

Manchester-born actor Kenneth Colley has passed away at the age of 87. The news of his demise was confirmed by his agent on 3 July 2025. He was best known for his portrayal of Admiral Piett in the original Star Wars trilogy.

As reported by BBC, Colley died peacefully on 30 June 2025. He was surrounded by friends in his home at Ashford, Kent in England.

Prior to this, the actor suffered from a fall that led to an injured arm and hospital stay. During the admission, he also contracted COVID-19, which then developed into pneumonia. The line of unfortunate events ultimately caused his death.

Time As Admiral Piett

As mentioned, Kenneth Colley's most notable role was when he played Admiral Firmus Piett in the original Star Wars trilogy. He was the only Imperial officer to appear in more than one of the franchise's films.

He first appeared in The Empire Strikes Back released in 1980, followed by Return of the Jedi in 1983. Of course, the continuity endeared him to fans and vice-versa.

He later reprised the role in Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out in 2012. However, he was funnily credited as 'Kenneth Cooley' for the project instead.

In an interview on the official Star Wars YouTube channel, Colley addressed why audiences latched onto his character. He said that 'despite being a villain, he's just a man doing his job, and all the people out there doing their jobs understand that.'

Career Highlights Beyond Star Wars

Kenneth Colley's career had a long, fruitful run that lasted over 60 years. He has film, stage, and television contributions that range from cult classics and even popular modern titles some readers wouldn't expect.

One of his more prominent roles was that of Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian in 1979. Colley brought a good mix of authority and wit to this historical and comedic piece.

He also has notable collaborations with Ken Russell. Their work is present in films like The Music Lovers (1971), The Devils (1971), Mahler (1974), and The Rainbow (1989). In addition, he played as a Soviet colonel in Clint Eastwood's Cold War film Firefox in 1982.

One of his favourite roles was as Estragon in Beckett's Waiting for Godot in 2014. He also played as Vicente Changretta, an Italian mob patriarch in Series 3 of the hit crime drama Peaky Blinders.

Colley's Legacy

Kenneth Colley's career ranged from Imperial officer, Italian mob head, and Jesus Christ himself. He brought life to dark, eccentric, yet relatable roles while displaying a good skill for adaptation.

Among his prominent traits are professionalism, warmth, and artistic intuition. After Life of Brian, Sir Michael Palin gave him praise. He noted that Colley was 'always dependable, always convincing, and great to work with.'

Even during his final days, he was showered with love by friends at his bedside. Though his passing came unfortunately, his legacy of memorable performances across different genres lives on.

He will always be remembered for his role of Admiral Piett, standing out in the Star Wars canon forever.