Kenneth Colley, Admiral Piett in a Pair of ‘Star Wars’ Films, Dies at 87

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87-year-old Kenneth Colley, a renowned British actor who worked with director Ken Russell on seven projects and played Admiral Piett, Darth Vader’s lieutenant in ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’, has passed away.

Colley passed away on Monday at his residence in Ashford, Kent, England, due to complications arising from both COVID-19 and pneumonia, as confirmed by his representative, Julian Owen.

Ken Russell cast Colley as Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the dramatist and younger brother of the renowned composer, in the film “The Music Lovers” (1971), and they worked together on six other productions directed by him: “The Devils” (1971), “The Boy Friend” (1971), “Mahler” (1974), “Lisztomania” (1975), where Colley played Frédéric Chopin, “The Rainbow” (1989) and “Prisoner of Honor” (1991).

Throughout a career lasting over six decades, Colley formed a productive partnership with Monty Python and its team. He collaborated with director Terry Gilliam on the film “Jabberwocky” (1977), worked with Michael Palin and Terry Jones on a 1977 episode of BBC’s “Ripping Yarns”, and portrayed Jesus in the movie “Life of Brian” (1979).

He had a stutter that he said disappeared whenever he was onstage or in front of a camera.

Firmus Piett, under the command of Admiral Kendal Ozzel, served as the first officer onboard the Star Dreadnought Executor in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980). Following Ozzel’s demise at the hands of Vader, Piett took control of the ship.

In a 2008 interview, I shared that I wasn’t initially scheduled for Return of the Jedi (1983). However, an unexpected phone call from my agent brought news that sparked excitement among fans about this character, and George Lucas decided to include him in the following film. With such a captivating opportunity presented, I enthusiastically agreed, “Who wouldn’t?

In 2012, he reappeared in the role of Piett for one last time in the animated film titled Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.

Hailing from Manchester, born on December 7, 1937, Alan Colley embarked upon his professional acting journey in 1961. He then graced stages such as London’s Old Vic, The Royal Court Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In the 1960s, he made appearances on TV shows like “The Avengers”, “Coronation Street” and “Emergency-Ward 10”. He was also in movies such as “How I Won the War” (1967) and “Oh! What a Lovely War” (1968).

Among his notable roles, he played the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” on the BBC in 1979; portrayed a Soviet colonel in Clint Eastwood’s “Firefox” (1982); took on the role of Adolf Eichmann in the 1985 NBC television movie “Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story”; acted as a Nazi character in the 1988-1989 ABC miniseries “War and Remembrance”; appeared as pirate Ben Gunn on the 1986 Disney Channel miniseries “Return to Treasure Island”; and more recently, played a crime boss on the BBC’s “Peaky Blinders” in 2016.

Colley’s role as Piett brought him widespread recognition, making him a beloved figure at Star Wars conventions and gatherings across the globe.

He stated in that 2008 interview that it evolves into a daily routine if given the chance. Today, we’re witnessing the third generation who weren’t even born yet, maintaining its continuity. For me, my personal experience with it is quite old, but I continue to have secondary experiences on a regular basis. Earlier today, I just signed an image for someone. I believe it may outlive me.

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2025-07-04 20:24