Kenneth Colley, Star Wars Actor, Dies at 87

Kenneth Colley, the British actor best known for portraying Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has passed away at age 87 following complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia. Best remembered for commanding Darth Vader's flagship as the imperial officer, Colley later reprised his iconic role in the 2012 animated special Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.

His agent Julian Owen confirmed Colley passed peacefully at his Kent home on Monday after being hospitalized for a fall-related arm injury, during which he contracted COVID-19 leading to pneumonia. "Ken was one of our finest character actors with a 60-year career spanning stage and screen," Owen stated, noting Colley's diverse roles from playing Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to Shakespearean performances for the BBC.

Interestingly, Colley's Star Wars character wasn't originally meant to survive beyond The Empire Strikes Back. According to reports, Admiral Piett was added to Return of the Jedi after significant fan demand. The actor once humorously revealed he landed the role because director Irvin Kershner sought "someone who would frighten Hitler." A beloved figure at fan conventions, Colley's portrayal left an indelible mark on the Star Wars universe and pop culture at large.