Thu Jul 03 15:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

Kenneth Colley, best known for his role as Admiral Piett in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” has died at the age of 87. His agent confirmed he passed away peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, after complications following a fall, leading to COVID and pneumonia. Colley had a 60-year career, including roles as Jesus in “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” and appearances in Ken Russell films. He remained popular among “Star Wars” fans and attended conventions worldwide. His career spanned television, film, and stage, showcasing his versatility as a character actor.

**News Article:**

**’Star Wars’ Actor Kenneth Colley Dies at 87**

ASHFORD, KENT – Kenneth Colley, the British actor best known for portraying Admiral Piett in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” has died at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully on Monday at his home in Ashford, Kent, according to his agent, Julian Owen.

Owen confirmed to the BBC that Colley had been admitted to hospital after a fall and subsequently contracted COVID, which developed into pneumonia. He was surrounded by friends at the time of his death.

“Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years,” Owen said in a statement.

Born December 7, 1937, in Manchester, Lancashire, Colley enjoyed a long and varied career. Before joining the “Star Wars” franchise in 1980, he appeared in popular television shows such as “The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes,” “Special Branch,” and “The Sweeney.” He reprised his role as Admiral Piett in the 2012 animated TV film “Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.”

Beyond “Star Wars,” Colley garnered acclaim for playing Jesus in the controversial 1979 film “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” and for his roles in several Ken Russell movies. He also starred in many other well-known movies such as “Firefox,” “War and Remembrance,” and “The Rainbow”. He further demonstrated his artistic abilities by directing the 2007 horror movie “Greetings.”

“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,” Owen added, highlighting his enduring connection with fans. Colley is remembered for his diverse and captivating performances across stage, film, and television.

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