The galaxy has lost one of its most dignified Imperial officers. Kenneth Colley, the actor who brought Admiral Piett to life in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has died at the age of 87. Known for his quiet intensity and memorable screen presence, Colley passed away peacefully after complications related to COVID and pneumonia following a fall. A Career That Spanned Galaxies and Genres Born in Manchester in 1937, Colley was never the loudest actor in the room—but he was often the most memorable. With a career that spanned stage and screen, he worked with some of Britain’s most notable directors and theater companies. His nuanced performances were marked by subtlety, intellect, and a kind of quiet magnetism that pulled audiences in. He played everything from historical figures in Ken Russell films to biblical roles—most famously, a dead-serious Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of…
