Latest news with #StarWars:TheEmpireStrikesBack
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Kenneth Colley, the Star Wars actor, dies aged 87 from Covid‑19–related pneumonia
Image credits: X Kenneth Colley , the steely-eyed British actor best known for his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has died. He was 87. With his gaunt features and quiet authority, Colley stood out in a galaxy packed with larger-than-life characters—earning a rare return for a second film as Darth Vader's highest-ranking officer. His agent, Julian Owen, confirmed that Colley died on June 30 at a hospital in Ashford, England, from complications of pneumonia after contracting COVID-19. He had injured his arm in a fall and became ill while hospitalized, an all-too-familiar trajectory during the pandemic years, when hospital-acquired infections sharply increased pneumonia risk, particularly among the elderly. Coronavirus and Pneumonia Image credits: X While many people who contract COVID-19 only feel symptoms similar to a rough seasonal bug, there are others for whom the virus takes a sharper turn. In some cases, the symptoms can spread into the lungs and trigger pneumonia across both. COVID-related pneumonia has proven to be especially aggressive and, at times, fatal. Pneumonia: Risks, symptoms, and what it is Image credits: X Pneumonia itself isn't new. It's an infection of the lungs where the tiniest air sacs, known as alveoli, become inflamed. In severe cases, these sacs flood with fluid or pus, cutting off oxygen and making every breath feel like a struggle. People often report exhaustion, chest discomfort, fever, and a cough that doesn't let up. Treatments range from over-the-counter fever reducers to hospital care with oxygen or, in the worst scenarios, ventilators. Though pneumonia can follow colds or flu, it's not limited to viruses. Bacteria, fungi, or any other invading organism can be behind it. But what sets COVID-19 pneumonia apart is how quickly it can escalate. Preliminary signs of COVID-19 include: fever, a dry cough, shortness of breath, Fatigue, chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, runny nose, pinkeye, and skin rashes. If your COVID-19 infection begins to develop into pneumonia, the symptoms can also include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, dizziness, and heavy sweating. People who are most at risk are older people, above the age of 65 in general, and even more so if past 85. Further, people who are already dealing with chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and liver disease are also at risk due to weak metabolism and immunity.
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Star Wars lightsaber used by Darth Vader to go up for auction
The weapon and duelling prop used in the 1980s films, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, will go up for auction in September. The live auction, hosted by memorabilia auction house Propstore, coincides with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, with the prop estimated to sell at £746,000 to £2,241,000. The lightsaber was used during duels in the final acts of both films between Darth Vader, played by David Prowse, and Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill. It was also used by the stunt performer and British Olympic fencer, Bob Anderson. According to the auction house, genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are rare with this 'believed to be the only hero lightsaber prop from the original Star Wars trilogy with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction'. Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer at Propstore, said: 'The lightsaber, or laser sword as it was initially called, was imagined by George Lucas as the perfect defensive weapon for a more sophisticated age. 'Nearly 50 years after the first Star Wars film, lightsabers are a universally recognised symbol of the world's most beloved film franchise and are consistently ranked as the most iconic and memorable props of all time. 'They are the 'ruby slippers' of cinema's modern era. Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artefact in our September sale. 'It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world. This lightsaber is simply everything you want it to be — one of the most significant Star Wars artefacts ever. One of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.' The lightsaber was made from a vintage British press camera flash handle with components such as plastic grips, calculator bubbles and cosmetic wiring. It was modified with a wooden rod which was used as a blade during the choreographed fight scenes, making the physical on-camera duelling possible and allowing visual effects artists to add a hand-animated glow for the final shots. Ahead of the auction, the prop will go on tour and visit London, Beverly Hills and New York throughout August before the live auction takes place in Los Angeles this September. The tour will feature other film artefacts from Propstore's September Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, including Indiana Jones's bullwhip and belt, Sauron's helmet from the Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring and the shark tooth clapperboard from the 1975 film Jaws.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Star Wars lightsaber used by Darth Vader to go up for auction
The Star Wars lightsaber used by villain Darth Vader will go under the hammer for the first time. The weapon and duelling prop used in the 1980s films, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, will go up for auction in September. The live auction, hosted by memorabilia auction house Propstore, coincides with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, with the prop estimated to sell at €860k to €2.6m. Darth Vader's lightsaber is going up for sale (Propstore/PA) The lightsaber was used during duels in the final acts of both films between Darth Vader, played by David Prowse, and Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill. It was also used by the stunt performer and British Olympic fencer, Bob Anderson. According to the auction house, genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are rare with this 'believed to be the only hero lightsaber prop from the original Star Wars trilogy with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction'. Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer at Propstore, said: 'The lightsaber, or laser sword as it was initially called, was imagined by George Lucas as the perfect defensive weapon for a more sophisticated age. 'Nearly 50 years after the first Star Wars film, lightsabers are a universally recognised symbol of the world's most beloved film franchise and are consistently ranked as the most iconic and memorable props of all time. The lightsaber was used in two films (Propstore/PA) 'They are the 'ruby slippers' of cinema's modern era. Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artefact in our September sale. 'It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world. This lightsaber is simply everything you want it to be — one of the most significant Star Wars artefacts ever. One of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.' The lightsaber was made from a vintage British press camera flash handle with components such as plastic grips, calculator bubbles and cosmetic wiring. It was modified with a wooden rod which was used as a blade during the choreographed fight scenes, making the physical on-camera duelling possible and allowing visual effects artists to add a hand-animated glow for the final shots. Ahead of the auction, the prop will go on tour and visit London, Beverly Hills and New York throughout August before the live auction takes place in Los Angeles this September. The tour will feature other film artefacts from Propstore's September Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, including Indiana Jones's bullwhip and belt, Sauron's helmet from the Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring and the shark tooth clapperboard from the 1975 film Jaws.
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Star Wars lightsaber used by Darth Vader to go up for auction
The Star Wars lightsaber used by villain Darth Vader will go under the hammer for the first time. The weapon and duelling prop used in the 1980s films, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, will go up for auction in September. The live auction, hosted by memorabilia auction house Propstore, coincides with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, with the prop estimated to sell at £746,000 (€860,000) to £2,241,000 (€2,584,000). The lightsaber was used during duels in the final acts of both films between Darth Vader, played by David Prowse, and Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill. 🔥 The wait is over... this IS the Darth Vader lightsaber you've been looking for! Find out more with our exclusive reveal with the @THR #DarthVader #Lightsaber #StarWars #Propstore — Propstore (@propstore_com) July 15, 2025 It was also used by the stunt performer and British Olympic fencer, Bob Anderson. According to the auction house, genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are rare with this "believed to be the only hero lightsaber prop from the original Star Wars trilogy with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction". Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer at Propstore, said: "The lightsaber, or laser sword as it was initially called, was imagined by George Lucas as the perfect defensive weapon for a more sophisticated age. "Nearly 50 years after the first Star Wars film, lightsabers are a universally recognised symbol of the world's most beloved film franchise and are consistently ranked as the most iconic and memorable props of all time. "They are the 'ruby slippers' of cinema's modern era. Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artefact in our September sale. "It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world. This lightsaber is simply everything you want it to be — one of the most significant Star Wars artefacts ever. One of the most significant cinema artefacts ever." The lightsaber was made from a vintage British press camera flash handle with components such as plastic grips, calculator bubbles and cosmetic wiring. It was modified with a wooden rod which was used as a blade during the choreographed fight scenes, making the physical on-camera duelling possible and allowing visual effects artists to add a hand-animated glow for the final shots. Ahead of the auction, the prop will go on tour and visit London, Beverly Hills and New York throughout August before the live auction takes place in Los Angeles this September. The tour will feature other film artefacts from Propstore's September Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, including Indiana Jones's bullwhip and belt, Sauron's helmet from the Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring and the shark tooth clapperboard from the 1975 film Jaws.
Western Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Star Wars lightsaber used by Darth Vader to go up for auction
The weapon and duelling prop used in the 1980s films, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi, will go up for auction in September. The live auction, hosted by memorabilia auction house Propstore, coincides with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, with the prop estimated to sell at £746,000 to £2,241,000. Darth Vader's lightsaber is going up for sale (Propstore/PA) The lightsaber was used during duels in the final acts of both films between Darth Vader, played by David Prowse, and Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill. It was also used by the stunt performer and British Olympic fencer, Bob Anderson. According to the auction house, genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are rare with this 'believed to be the only hero lightsaber prop from the original Star Wars trilogy with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction'. Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer at Propstore, said: 'The lightsaber, or laser sword as it was initially called, was imagined by George Lucas as the perfect defensive weapon for a more sophisticated age. 'Nearly 50 years after the first Star Wars film, lightsabers are a universally recognised symbol of the world's most beloved film franchise and are consistently ranked as the most iconic and memorable props of all time. The lightsaber was used in two films (Propstore/PA) 'They are the 'ruby slippers' of cinema's modern era. Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artefact in our September sale. 'It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world. This lightsaber is simply everything you want it to be — one of the most significant Star Wars artefacts ever. One of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.' The lightsaber was made from a vintage British press camera flash handle with components such as plastic grips, calculator bubbles and cosmetic wiring. It was modified with a wooden rod which was used as a blade during the choreographed fight scenes, making the physical on-camera duelling possible and allowing visual effects artists to add a hand-animated glow for the final shots. Ahead of the auction, the prop will go on tour and visit London, Beverly Hills and New York throughout August before the live auction takes place in Los Angeles this September. The tour will feature other film artefacts from Propstore's September Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, including Indiana Jones's bullwhip and belt, Sauron's helmet from the Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring and the shark tooth clapperboard from the 1975 film Jaws.
