Kenneth Colley, the English actor known for his portrayal of Admiral Piett in the “Star Wars” franchise, has died at the age of 87, according to several reports.
Colley died at home in Ashford, Kent after battling COVID-19 and pneumonia, his representative, Julian Owen, told the BBC in a statement.
He was initially admitted to the hospital after hurting his arm in a fall, and then quickly caught the virus, according to the statement.
Owens praised Colley’s six-decade body of work, calling him “one of our finest character actors.”
“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,” Owens said in the statement.
Among Colley’s extensive acting credits were roles in Clint Eastwood’s “Firefox,” “War and Remembrance,” and “The Rainbow.”
Three decades after appearing in the blockbuster Lucas films “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” Colley also appeared as a voice actor in “Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out,” playing Admiral Piett.
Colley, who was also known for his love of gardening, art collection and fast cars, died with friends at his bedside, according to the BBC.
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