Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies at 87 after battling COVID and pneumonia
Owen described Colley as "one of our finest character actors," with a career that spanned over six decades. "Ken continually worked on stage, film, and television," Owen said, highlighting Colley's extensive range, from his role as Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to his appearances in several Ken Russell films. He also portrayed the Duke of Vienna in a 1979 BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.
Colley's role in Star Wars solidified his place in pop culture, and he was a beloved figure among fans. His portrayal of the Imperial officer in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi led to numerous invitations to fan events and conventions around the world. Colley reprised his role in the 2012 animated TV film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.
Born on December 7, 1937, in Manchester, Lancashire, Colley began his career in British television, appearing in shows like The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes and The Sweeney. In addition to his Star Wars roles, Colley appeared in films such as Firefox, War and Remembrance, and The Rainbow. He also directed the 2007 horror film Greetings.
Kenneth Colley leaves behind a lasting legacy in both the Star Wars franchise and the broader film and television industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies at 87 after battling COVID and pneumonia
Kenneth Colley, best known for his portrayal of Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has passed away at the age of 87. His agent, Julian Owen, confirmed that Colley died peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, on Monday. Colley's death followed a brief hospital stay after he injured his arm in a fall. Unfortunately, he contracted COVID-19 during his recovery, which developed into pneumonia. Owen described Colley as "one of our finest character actors," with a career that spanned over six decades. "Ken continually worked on stage, film, and television," Owen said, highlighting Colley's extensive range, from his role as Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to his appearances in several Ken Russell films. He also portrayed the Duke of Vienna in a 1979 BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. Colley's role in Star Wars solidified his place in pop culture, and he was a beloved figure among fans. His portrayal of the Imperial officer in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi led to numerous invitations to fan events and conventions around the world. Colley reprised his role in the 2012 animated TV film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. Born on December 7, 1937, in Manchester, Lancashire, Colley began his career in British television, appearing in shows like The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes and The Sweeney. In addition to his Star Wars roles, Colley appeared in films such as Firefox, War and Remembrance, and The Rainbow. He also directed the 2007 horror film Greetings. Kenneth Colley leaves behind a lasting legacy in both the Star Wars franchise and the broader film and television industry.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Bob Vylan dropped from two shows after Glastonbury
Punk duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from the Radar Festival in Manchester following their performance at Glastonbury. The group, initially slated to headline the festival at Victoria Warehouse, was removed from the lineup after facing official backlash over chants led by their lead singer during their Glastonbury set. The duo had been due to perform on Saturday, but the festival organizers confirmed they would no longer appear, though the reason for the removal was not publicly disclosed. Bob Vylan responded to the cancellation by posting a statement on Instagram, assuring fans, 'Manchester, we will be back,' and emphasizing their commitment to speaking out on political issues. -Instagram. The group had also been scheduled to perform at the French Kave Fest on Sunday, but organizers pulled them from that event as well, with an official statement expected. The controversy began when Bob Vylan's lead singer led the Glastonbury crowd in chants of 'death to the IDF' (Israel Defense Forces), which garnered widespread condemnation from the oficcials. The BBC, which livestreamed the performance, apologized for airing the performance, calling the remarks 'antisemitic' and 'unacceptable.' Avon and Somerset Police have opened a criminal investigation into the performance, recording it as a 'public order incident' and reviewing potential hate crime legislation. In response to the Glastonbury performance buzz, Bob Vylan clarified their stance through a measured post on social media, stating they are not advocating for the death of any group but instead calling for the dismantling of what they described as a violent military machine. They expressed that they were being 'targeted for speaking up' and criticized the lack of action from governments on issues they raised, particularly regarding the situation in Palestine. In addition to the festival cancellations, Bob Vylan's upcoming U.S. tour has also been canceled, with their visas revoked due to the Glastonbury incident. The duo also lost a performance at a German venue. The band remains defiant, urging others to speak up against perceived injustice.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
US to revoke Bob Vylan's visas after Glastonbury chants
Bob Vylan called for death to the Israeli military on stage. Photo: AFP The United States said on Monday it was revoking visas for the British punk-rap group Bob Vylan which led a chant at the Glastonbury festival calling for death to the Israeli military. "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X. British public broadcaster the BBC apologised on Monday for not pulling a live stream of a punk-rap group's performance at the Glastonbury festival when they made anti-Israel remarks. "With hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen," the broadcaster said of Bob Vylan's show, in which the group led the crowds in chants of "Death to the IDF", the initials of the Israeli military. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said afterwards there was "no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech". The BBC said that "millions of people" watched its coverage of the festival "but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive". "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence," it added. "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves." Media watchdog Ofcom warned Monday that it was "very concerned" and that the BBC had questions to answer. "We have been speaking to the BBC over the weekend and we are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency," it added. Kneecap recap Controversy descended on this year's event before it even began over the inclusion of Irish rap trio Kneecap, one of whose members was recently charged under terror legislation. During their show on Saturday, one Kneecap member wore a T-shirt dedicated to the Palestine Action Group, which is about to be banned under UK terror laws. The chants about Israel's military were led by Bob Vylan's frontman Bobby Vylan, and were broadcast live on the BBC. Glastonbury's organisers said the comments had "very much crossed a line". "We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence," the festival said in a statement. Avon and Somerset police said Saturday that video evidence would be assessed "to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation". The incident has caused a diplomatic headache for the UK, with the Israel embassy issuing a statement saying "it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival". Kneecap, which has made headlines in recent months with its pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel stance, also led crowds in chanting abuse against Prime Minister Starmer. Starmer and other politicians had said the band should not perform after its member Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. He appeared in court this month accused of having displayed a Hezbollah flag while saying "Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah" at a London concert last year. A video of the concert resurfaced and caused controversy. The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas are banned in the UK, where it is an offence to express support for them.
