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Kenneth Colley, best known as Admiral Piett in Star Wars, has died at the age of 87.
Kenneth Colley, the British actor best known for his role as Admiral Piett in the original Star Wars trilogy, has died at the age of 87. His agent, Julian Owen, confirmed Colley died peacefully on Monday, 30 June 2025, at his home in Ashford, Kent, England. Colley was surrounded by friends.
Colley had been taken to the hospital after suffering an arm injury from a fall. While there, he contracted COVID‑19, which resulted in pneumonia that ultimately became life‑threatening. His agent said that the combination of COVID and pneumonia was the reason for his death.
Kenneth Colley started his acting journey in the early 1960s. In his more than 60-year career, he acted in over 150 films, TV programs, and stage plays. His first parts were in British TV series such as A for Andromeda and The Plane Makers. He appeared in many personally recognized films and TV shows.
Colley was internationally recognized for acting as Admiral Firmus Piett. The character appears in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Piett was one of the few Imperial officers to survive longer than just a few minutes on screen, and he even spoke directly with Darth Vader, which is what made him a fan favorite.
Colley reprised the role of Piett in 2012 by recording voiceover work for the animated special Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. Due to his Star Wars role, Colley became a regular guest at fan conventions and events around the world. Fans enjoyed meeting him and getting his autograph.
He also enjoyed acting on stage. In 2014, he played Estragon in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London. According to his agent, this was one of his favorite roles.
The passing of Kenneth Colley is a loss to the entertainment world. Colley was not necessarily a leading star, yet he poured both depth and personality into every role. He could be a gruff Imperial admiral, a comedic prophet, and a Shakespearean character, and whatever the part was, he gave it his all and earned the respect of his colleagues and fans.
While Kenneth Colley may be most famous as Admiral Piett, his career has been much more than that. He was a versatile character actor who transcended into comedy, drama, big Hollywood films, and intimate plays. His talent, humour, and kindness made him loved by fellow workers, fans, and friends. Although he is no longer with us, we will be able to watch his performances with our kids, grandkids, and future generations.
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