Latest news with #CockpitTheatre
Mint
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who was Kenneth Colley? 'Star Wars' actor who played Admiral Piett dies at 87
Kenneth Colley, the British actor best known for his role as Admiral Firmus Piett in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died. He was 87. Colley passed away on June 30 at his home in England after contracting Covid-19, which developed into pneumonia, multiple reports stated. The BBC noted he had initially been hospitalized with an injured arm following a fall. Born on December 7, 1937, in Manchester, Lancashire, Colley built a prolific career across film, television, and stage. He first appeared in numerous British television series including The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, Special Branch, The Sweeney, and Pennies from Heaven. In 1980, Colley joined the Star Wars franchise as Admiral Piett, an Imperial officer aboard Darth Vader's flagship in The Empire Strikes Back. He reprised the role in 1983's Return of the Jedi, sharing the screen with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, and the late Carrie Fisher. Decades later, he voiced the same character in the 2012 animated film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. Beyond Star Wars, Colley earned acclaim for portraying Jesus in the 1979 comedy Monty Python's Life of Brian, where he appeared alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin. His film credits also included Clint Eastwood's Firefox, Ken Russell's The Rainbow, Aki Kaurismäki's I Hired a Contract Killer, and the World War II miniseries War and Remembrance. In 2007, he directed the horror movie Greetings, starring Kirsty Cox, Henry Dunn, and Ben Shockley. On stage, Colley considered his most cherished role to be Estragon in Beckett's Waiting for Godot, which he performed at London's Cockpit Theatre in 2014. A statement from Colley's agent reflected on his wide-ranging career and passion for performance: 'Ken's favourite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot.'
ITV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Manchester-born Star Wars actor Kevin Colley dies aged 87
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87 after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent has said. The film and television actor from Manchester is best known for starring in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as Admiral Piett, an imperial officer in command of Darth Vader's flagship. Colley's agent of 10 years, Julian Owen, issued a statement which said that he died 'peacefully' on Monday June 30 in Ashford, Kent. The statement said: 'He had been admitted after a fall with an injured arm, however he quickly contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia. He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside. 'Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years. 'Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure for the BBC.' In later years he reprised his role of Admiral Piett when he voiced the character in the 2012 animated Lego production, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. He also had parts in international productions including Clint Eastwood's Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance. The statement added: 'Ken's favourite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014. 'Ken's participation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and official fan events all over the World where he remains one of the best loved actors from the original trilogy.' Ken loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars.'Colley is also known for playing Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian alongside English actors' John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin.
Metro
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies aged 87 after 'contracting Covid'
Star Wars star Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his agent of 10 years has confirmed to Metro. The English actor, most famous for his role as Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, died from pneumonia after contracting Covid, on Monday June 30 in Ashford, Kent. In a statement to Metro, his agent Julian Owen said he was admitted to hospital after a fall with an injured arm, however he 'quickly' contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia. 'He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside,' Julian said. With over 150 TV and film acting credits to his name, aside from his Star Wars role, Colley portrayed Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian and Ken Uttley in 13 episodes of 90s show Moving Story. Colley, whose career spanned over 60 years in film, television and theatre, also portrayed eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure for the BBC. The big international breakthrough came for Colley in 1980 when he was asked by George Lucas to play Admiral Piett. This led to parts in many big international productions such as Clint Eastwood's Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance. Colley's favourite role was playing Estragon in the stage production of Samuel Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014. For his part in the Star Wars universe, Colley enjoyed conventions and official fan events all over the world. Taking to Facebook, Alliance Agents also shared: 'With great sadness I need let everyone know that our lovely client and friend Ken Colley passed away on Monday after a short illness. He was 87.' The statement added: 'Ken loved attending conventions and meeting the fans. He travelled all over the world yet could never quite grasp why everyone wanted his autograph. He was a very humble man with an incredibly dry wit. Ken loved his garden, art, cars and the occasional Porn Star Martini. More Trending 'His wife Mary died several years ago, since then he has been looked after by his friend Lynn. Ken lived in Hythe in Kent. 'It has been a pleasure representing Ken over the years. He wasn't just a client, but also a friend.' Fans have taken to social media to pay tribute, as @NoZoup wrote: 'Man… I'm gutted today. Learned Ken Colley passed way. Admiral Piett is one of my favorite SW characters and favorite officer along with Veers.' Nicolas Holmes said: Aww that's really sad Ken was a lovely fellow. I just watched him yesterday being Jesus in 'Life of Brian' – probably the 100th time I've seen it! Thank you Ken and May the Force be with you, always.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The King and I actress and beauty pageant star Maureen Hingert dies aged 88 MORE: Star Trek actor Peter-Henry Schroeder dies aged 90 MORE: BBC Play School presenter Donald Macdonald dies aged 86
Perth Now
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Star Wars legend Kenneth Colley dead at 87
Star Wars icon Kenneth Colley has died aged 87. The late actor - who is best known for playing Admiral Piett in George Lucas' sci-fi franchise - 'peacefully' passed away on Monday (30.06.25) in Ashford, Kent, after contracting Covid and pneumonia, his agent Julian Owen has said. In a statement, Owen said: 'He had been admitted after a fall with an injured arm, however he quickly contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia. He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside. 'Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years. 'Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure for the BBC.' Colley appeared in 1980's Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back as Admiral Piett, the commander of Darth Vader's flagship, The Executor, and reprised the role for the 1983 sequel Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. The actor also voiced Piett in the LEGO animation LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out in 2012. The statement continued: 'Ken's favourite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014. 'Ken's participation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and official fan events all over the World where he remains one of the best-loved actors from the original trilogy. 'Ken loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars.' Colley was born on 7 December 1937 in Manchester, and started his acting career in 1961 at the Leicester repertory theatre as a stagehand and ensemble player. Colley soon joined esteemed companies like the Old Vic in London, the Royal Court, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The actor's early TV work included a minor role in The Avengers in 1963, and appearances in series such as The Sweeney, and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes. Colley's first movie role came in 1964, where he portrayed a Covent Garden Porter in the drama Seventy Deadly Pills. Colley would later appear in Monty Python's Life of Brian with John Cleese and Michael Palin, in which he portrayed Jesus Christ. He also worked with Clint Eastwood on the 1982 film Firefox, in which he portrayed Colonel Kontarsky. In later years, Colley featured in shows like Holby City and a two-part Doctor Who special. His final on-screen role came in 2016, where he played Vincente Changretta in Series 3 of the BBC TV drama Peaky Blinders.
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies aged 87
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87 after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent has said. The English film and television actor is best known for starring in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as Admiral Piett, an Imperial Officer in command of Darth Vader's flagship. Colley's agent of 10 years, Julian Owen, issued a statement that said he died "peacefully" on Monday 30 June in Ashford, Kent. The statement said: "He had been admitted after a fall with an injured arm. However, he quickly contracted Covid, which developed into pneumonia. He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside. "Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years. "Ken continually worked on stage, film, and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure for the BBC." In later years, he reprised his role of Admiral Piett when he voiced the character in the 2012 animated Lego production, Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. He also had parts in international productions including Clint Eastwood's Firefox and the Second World War series War and Remembrance. The statement added: "Ken's favourite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014. "Ken's participation in Star Wars led him to being invited to conventions and official fan events all over the world where he remains one of the best-loved actors from the original trilogy. "Ken loved his garden, art collecting, and had a passion for fast cars."
