Latest news with #JulianOwen
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Kenneth Colley, 87, ‘Star Wars' Actor With a Commanding Presence, Dies
Kenneth Colley, the British character actor whose stone-cold portrayal of Adm. Firmus Piett, Darth Vader's trusted officer, in the Star Wars film 'The Empire Strikes Back' turned him into a fan favorite and earned him a call back for 'Return of the Jedi,' died on June 30 in Ashford, England. He was 87. His agent, Julian Owen, said in a statement that he died in a hospital from complications of pneumonia after contracting Covid-19. Mr. Colley became a memorable screen presence for international audiences who could recognize his dour, stony face even if they didn't know his name. A versatile supporting actor, he was often tapped to play stern detectives, military men and, on multiple occasions, Adolf Hitler, and had been active for nearly two decades onstage and onscreen before his appearance in 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980). In a 2014 interview, he recalled that when he walked into an office to meet Irvin Kershner, the director of 'The Empire Strikes Back,' Mr. Kershner told him he was looking for 'someone that would frighten Adolf Hitler.' Mr. Colley, with his gaunt face and steely eyes, fit the bill. Admiral Piett is appointed top commander of the Imperial fleet after his superior is killed by Darth Vader (whose physical presence is played by David Prowse) for his poor judgment. Mr. Colley often said that he saw Admiral Piett as a shrewd operator who followed orders for the sake of survival in Darth Vader's world. In his interpretation of the character, he reinforced the severity and tension felt in the camp as the Rebel alliance evades capture. The film grossed more than $200 million in its original release, according to the site Box Office Mojo, with Admiral Piett emerging as an unexpected crowd pleaser. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Star Wars' Actor Kenneth Colley Dies At 87
Kenneth Colley, best known for starring as Admiral Piett in the original 'Star Wars' series and 'Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian,' died on June 30. He was 87. The British actor died at his home in Kent, England, after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, according to multipleoutlets. 'Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,' Colley's agent, Julian Owen, said in a statement to People on Thursday. '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 was initially admitted to a hospital after he injured his arm after suffering a fall. He then rapidly contracted COVID that developed into a pneumonia diagnosis, according to Owen. Owen said Colley 'passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside.' Social media users on X, formerly Twitter, mourned Colley's death. Kenneth Colley, who played Admiral Piett in ESB and ROTJ and enjoyed an acting career that spanned 60 years, has sadly passed away at the age of are immortalized in a galaxy far, far away, and in the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere. May the Force Be With You. — MaceAhWindu 🇵🇸 (@MaceAhWindu) July 3, 2025 I was sad to learn today of the passing of actor Kenneth Colley. Wonderful in his Star Wars appearances, but it's in the chilling Inspector Morse episode Second Time Around that he excels! I'm watching it tonight in tribute! (Also features a young Christopher Eccleston!) — Mestor The Magnificent (@TheMestor) July 3, 2025 RIP Kenneth he was in Star Wars, but better than that, he was JESUS in Life of Brian. — King Stephen I 👑 (@IcarFaem) July 3, 2025 Colley, who first kicked off his Hollywood career in 1961, most recently appeared in the 2024 film 'Dan Hawk Psychic Detective' and as a voice actor in the 2023 short film 'I Am Tree.' Hurry! Lego's Star Wars Advent Calendar Just Hit Its Lowest Price Yet Trump Appears To Embrace The Dark Side In The White House's 'Star Wars' Day Post 'Star Trek' Actor Kenneth Mitchell Dead At 49
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Star Wars' Actor Kenneth Colley Dies At 87
Kenneth Colley, best known for starring as Admiral Piett in the original 'Star Wars' series and 'Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian,' died on June 30. He was 87. The British actor died at his home in Kent, England, after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, according to multipleoutlets. 'Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,' Colley's agent, Julian Owen, said in a statement to People on Thursday. '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 was initially admitted to a hospital after he injured his arm after suffering a fall. He then rapidly contracted COVID that developed into a pneumonia diagnosis, according to Owen. Owen said Colley 'passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside.' Social media users on X, formerly Twitter, mourned Colley's death. Kenneth Colley, who played Admiral Piett in ESB and ROTJ and enjoyed an acting career that spanned 60 years, has sadly passed away at the age of are immortalized in a galaxy far, far away, and in the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere. May the Force Be With You. — MaceAhWindu 🇵🇸 (@MaceAhWindu) July 3, 2025 I was sad to learn today of the passing of actor Kenneth Colley. Wonderful in his Star Wars appearances, but it's in the chilling Inspector Morse episode Second Time Around that he excels! I'm watching it tonight in tribute! (Also features a young Christopher Eccleston!) — Mestor The Magnificent (@TheMestor) July 3, 2025 RIP Kenneth he was in Star Wars, but better than that, he was JESUS in Life of Brian. — King Stephen I 👑 (@IcarFaem) July 3, 2025 Colley, who first kicked off his Hollywood career in 1961, most recently appeared in the 2024 film 'Dan Hawk Psychic Detective' and as a voice actor in the 2023 short film 'I Am Tree.' Hurry! Lego's Star Wars Advent Calendar Just Hit Its Lowest Price Yet Trump Appears To Embrace The Dark Side In The White House's 'Star Wars' Day Post 'Star Trek' Actor Kenneth Mitchell Dead At 49
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved 'Star Wars' Actor Passes Away from Covid Complications
Beloved 'Star Wars' Actor Passes Away from Covid Complications originally appeared on Parade. English actor Kenneth Colley, known for his role as Admiral Piett in the beloved Star Wars saga, has passed away at the age of 87. Colley, whose expansive career began back in the early '70s on the police drama The Sweeney, spanned over 60 years, including roles in Monty Python's TheLife of Brian, Clint Eastwood's Firefox, and the popular TV series Peaky Blinders. His most notable role was as the ambitious Imperial officer Admiral Piett in George Lucas' The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. According to a statement released by Colley's agent Julian Owen, the actor passed away at his home in Ashford, Kent, on June 30. '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,' the statement read. "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," wrote Owen. According to Owen, Colley "loved his garden, art collecting, and had a passion for fast cars." 🎬 🎬 Beloved 'Star Wars' Actor Passes Away from Covid Complications first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Iconic Star Wars actor dead at 87 after Covid battle
Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age 87. Colley, who played Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, passed away peacefully on Monday at his home in Ashford, Kent, his agent Julian Owen confirmed to The Post. 'Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,' Owen said in a statement to The Post. Owen confirmed that Colley was admitted to the hospital with an injured arm after a fall. The British actor quickly contracted COVID which developed into pneumonia. Colley had friends by his side when he died, Owen said. '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,' Owen's statement continued. '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.' Colley was born on December 7, 1937 in Manchester, Lancashire. Early in his career, he appeared in episodes of The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, Special Branch, The Sweeney and Pennies from Heaven. In 1980, Colley joined the Star Wars franchise with his portrayal as one of Darth Vader's Imperial officers in The Empire Strikes Back. He reprised the role in 1983's Return of the Jedi. Both films starred Hollywood legends Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams and the late Carrie Fisher. Nearly 30 years later, Colley voiced Admiral Piett in the 2012 animated TV film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. Colley was also widely known for his roles in multiple Ken Russell movies and for playing Jesus in 1979's Monty Python's Life of Brian. Other movies Colley appeared in included Firefox, War and Remembrance, Measure for Measure, Return to Waterloo, The Whistle Blower, The Plot to Kill Hitler and The Rainbow. He also directed the 2007 horror movie Greetings starring Kirsty Cox, Henry Dunn and Ben Shockley.
