Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies 87 following battle with COVID

Fans of the Star Wars franchise were left saddened this week upon learning that British actor Kenneth Colley passed away. 

According to The Independent, the 87-year-old’s death was announced in a statement released on Thursday by his longtime agent Julian Owen.

COVID blamed for death

“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 said.

Owen’s statement went on to describe Colley as having been “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,” he continued.

“Ken’s favorite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014,” Owen explained.

Tributes pour in

“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,” he added.

The agent went on to point out that Colley enjoyed gardening and art collecting while also having “had a passion for fast cars.”

The Independent noted that Owen was not alone in speaking about Colley’s passing, as fellow British actor Sir Michael Palin did as well.

“Ken Colley was always dependable, always convincing, and great to work with. We’ve lost a very special actor and a very good man,” Palin said in a statement of his own.

Industry reactions continue

Tributes to Colley also appeared on social media, including from the official X account for Gerry Anderson, who created the television series “Thunderbirds.”

We’re sad to hear of the June 30th passing of actor Kenneth Colley at the age of 87. Best known as Admiral Piett in the Star Wars films, his long career included playing Devlin in The Protectors episode Dragon Chase. Our thoughts go out to all who knew him! pic.twitter.com/mOV5eOj1ZT

— Gerry Anderson (@GerryAndersonTV) July 3, 2025

The social media account lamented that “[w]e’re sad to hear of the June 30th passing of actor Kenneth Colley at the age of 87.”

“Best known as Admiral Piett in the Star Wars films, his long career included playing Devlin in The Protectors episode Dragon Chase. Our thoughts go out to all who knew him!” it added.

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