Kenneth Colley, the esteemed British actor best known for his portrayal of Admiral Piett in the original Star Wars trilogy and Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, sadly passed away on June 30 at his home in Kent, England. He was 87 years old. His agent, Julian Owen, confirmed the news in a statement, which was initially reported by the BBC.
Owen reflected on Colley’s impressive 60-year career, stating, “Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors.” Throughout his illustrious career, Colley showcased his incredible range across stage, film, and television, taking on a variety of roles—from the iconic Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian to sinister and quirky characters in Ken Russell films, and even the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure for the BBC.
According to the BBC, Colley had been hospitalized due to an arm injury sustained from a fall. Unfortunately, during his hospital stay, he contracted Covid-19, which subsequently developed into pneumonia.
Notably, Colley reprised his role as Admiral Piett in the 2012 animated film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. His diverse body of work also includes notable films such as Clint Eastwood’s Firefox, Aki Kaurismäki’s I Hired a Contract Killer, and Ken Russell’s The Rainbow.
In a touching tribute, Owen shared that Colley particularly cherished his role as Estragon in the 2014 stage production of Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London. Kenneth Colley’s remarkable talent and memorable performances will undoubtedly be missed by fans and colleagues alike.
