• R.I.P. Kenneth Colley (Admiral Piett in "Star Wars" original trilogy)

    From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.tv, rec.arts.movies.past-films on Sat Jul 5 10:39:58 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv


    He played many roles over his 60 year career, mainly bit-parts
    appearing on one episode of various UK shows.


    Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies aged 87
    -------------------------------------------
    Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died after contracting Covid
    and developing pneumonia, his agent has announced

    Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his
    agent has announced.

    The film and television performer is best known for starring in
    The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi as Admiral Piett,
    an imperial officer in command of Darth Vader's flagship.

    He died peacefully at his home in Ashford, Kent, on Monday after
    contracting Covid and developing pneumonia, his agent Julian Owen
    said in a statement.

    "Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career
    spanning 60 years," Mr Owens said.

    "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."

    The statement said Colley had been admitted to hospital with an
    injured arm after a fall, but he quickly contracted Covid which
    developed into pneumonia.

    He died with friends at his bedside, it added.

    In later years, Colley reprised his role of Admiral Piett when he
    voiced the character in the 2012 animated Lego production, Lego
    Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out.

    He also had parts in international productions including Clint
    Eastwood's Firefox and the Second World War series War and
    Remembrance.

    Mr Owen said Colley's paticipation in Star Wars led him to being
    invited to conventions and fan events all over the world.

    "Ken also loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for
    fast cars," he added.

    Colley is also known for playing Jesus in Monty Python's Life of
    Brian alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Michael Palin.


    <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xv50jnwngo>





    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From BTR1701@atropos@mac.com to rec.arts.movies.past-films,rec.arts.tv on Sat Jul 5 00:12:05 2025
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On Jul 4, 2025 at 3:39:58 PM PDT, "Your Name" <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    He played many roles over his 60 year career, mainly bit-parts
    appearing on one episode of various UK shows.

    "You are in command now, Admiral Piett."

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV2DLkDPwM8

    Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley dies aged 87
    -------------------------------------------

    Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley has died at the age of 87, his
    agent has announced.

    The statement said Colley had been admitted to hospital with an
    injured arm after a fall, but he quickly contracted Covid which
    developed into pneumonia.

    I've said it before and I'll say it again, hospitals should be avoided at all costs. Go in with a broken arm, come out in a body bag.


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2