Kenneth Colley obit

Kenneth Colley Dies: ‘Star Wars’ & ‘Life Of Brian’ Actor Was 87

 

He was not on the list.

Kenneth Colley, the British actor who played Admiral Piett in the original Star Wars series and Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, died June 30 at his home in Kent, England, after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia. He was 87.

His death was announced by his agent Julian Owen in a statement first reported on by the BBC.

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

“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 BBC reported that Colley had originally been admitted to hospital with an injured arm after a fall, but quickly contracted Covid, which developed into pneumonia.

Colley reprised the role of Admiral Piett in the 2012 animated film Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out. His other credits include Clint Eastwood’s Firefox, Aki Kaurismäki’s I Hired a Contract Killer, and Ken Russell’s The Rainbow.

The statement from Colley’s agent added: “Ken’s favourite part was playing Estragon in the stage production of Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot at the Cockpit Theatre in London in 2014.”

Director

Alligator

Short

Director

2007

 

Greetings (2007)

Greetings

3.9

Director

2007

 

A Nearly Silent Film

TV Short

Director

2006

 

Writer

Alligator

Short

written by

2007

 

Greetings (2007)

Greetings

3.9

written by

2007

 

A Nearly Silent Film

TV Short

Writer

2006

 

Actor

Infernal Creations

Malcolm

CompletedShort

 

Dan Hawk Psychic Detective (2024)

Dan Hawk Psychic Detective

4.4

Thaddeus Moncrief

2024

 

I am Tree (2023)

I am Tree

Short

Oak (voice)

2023

 

The Great Escape (2017)

The Great Escape

Short

Angus

2017

 

Kate O'Donnell in Mum (2017)

Mum

6.4

Short

Graham

2017

 

Guy Henry in Holby City (1999)

Holby City

5.8

TV Series

Dudley DrakeVaughn ChewerDon Lawson

2005–2016

3 episodes

 

Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders (2013)

Peaky Blinders

8.7

TV Series

Vicente Changretta

2016

2 episodes

 

Star Wars: Force of Evil (2015)

Star Wars: Force of Evil

Short

Jaxan Tosh

2015

 

Robert Sheehan, Lauren Socha, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Antonia Thomas, and Iwan Rheon in Misfits (2009)

Misfits

8.2

TV Series

Old Rudy 2

2013

1 episode

 

Scar Tissue (2013)

Scar Tissue

4.4

Weaver

2013

 

Vera (2011)

Vera

8.2

TV Series

Ronald Devreux

2013

1 episode

 

Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out (2012)

Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

7.1

TV Movie

Admiral Piett (voice, as Kenneth Cooley)

2012

 

The Avenging Spirit (2011)

The Avenging Spirit

Short

Mr. Grey

2011

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Arthur CobbClifford WatkinsPaddy

1991–2011

3 episodes

 

Freedom Day

7.2

Short

Skipper

2010

 

Samantha Bond, Barbara Flynn, Emilia Fox, Susan Jameson, and Diana Quick in The Queen (2009)

The Queen

7.1

TV Series

Prince Philip

2009

1 episode

 

William Houston, Cherie Lunghi, Sarah Smart, Charity Wakefield, and Tom Hughes in Casualty 1909 (2009)

Casualty 1909

8.4

TV Series

Dr. Frederick Smith

2009

3 episodes

 

Paul McGann and Sheridan Smith in Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures (2006)

Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures

8.0

TV Series

Zarodnix (voice)

2008

2 episodes

 

Holby Blue (2007)

Holby Blue

6.9

TV Series

John Snr

2008

4 episodes

 

Alligator

Short

Glen

2007

 

Greetings (2007)

Greetings

3.9

Ken

2007

 

House of Donn

7.6

Short

Dad

2006

 

Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Amanda Redman, and Dennis Waterman in New Tricks (2003)

New Tricks

8.0

TV Series

Frank Benson

2006

1 episode

 

A Nearly Silent Film

TV Short

Signwriter

2006

 

Michael Kitchen in Foyle's War (2002)

Foyle's War

8.6

TV Series

Brian Jones

2006

1 episode

 

Robson Green and Jemma Redgrave in Like Father Like Son (2005)

Like Father Like Son

6.9

TV Movie

Rawsthorne

2005

 

EastEnders (1985)

EastEnders

4.8

TV Series

Brian

2003

3 episodes

 

The Royal (2003)

The Royal

7.5

TV Series

Bernard Hussey

2003

1 episode

 

Tia Carrere in Relic Hunter (1999)

Relic Hunter

6.5

TV Series

Professor Lamenza

2002

1 episode

 

Doctors (2000)

Doctors

4.5

TV Series

Frank Tyler

2002

1 episode

 

Annette Badland, Neil Dudgeon, and Nick Hendrix in Midsomer Murders (1997)

Midsomer Murders

7.9

TV Series

Lloyd Kirby

2001

1 episode

 

The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (1998)

The Mrs Bradley Mysteries

7.7

TV Series

Archie Burlington

2000

1 episode

 

Douglas Fielding in Holding On (1999)

Holding On

6.9

Phil

1999

 

Hold Back the Night (1999)

Hold Back the Night

6.3

Uncle Bob

1999

 

Niamh Cusack, Jane Danson, David Harewood, Michael Kitchen, and Martin Shaw in Always and Everyone (1999)

Always and Everyone

6.9

TV Series

Joseph

1999

1 episode

 

The Last Train (1999)

The Last Train

7.1

TV Mini Series

Mark (as Ken Colley)

1999

1 episode

 

The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Mr. BakerActing Supt. ShannonPatrick Houghton

1995–1999

3 episodes

 

Nigel Le Vaillant in Dangerfield (1995)

Dangerfield

6.1

TV Series

Bill Hunter

1998

1 episode

 

Nick Berry in Heartbeat (1992)

Heartbeat

6.9

TV Series

Clive Harris

1998

1 episode

 

Michael Caine in Shadow Run (1998)

Shadow Run

4.3

Larcombe

1998

 

Peak Practice (1993)

Peak Practice

6.4

TV Series

Stan Jordan

1997

1 episode

 

Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite, and Tara Fitzgerald in Brassed Off (1996)

Brassed Off

7.2

Greasley (as Ken Colley)

1996

 

El último viaje de Robert Rylands (1996)

El último viaje de Robert Rylands

6.0

Archdale

1996

 

Helen Masters, Jack Shepherd, and Jimmy Yuill in Wycliffe (1993)

Wycliffe

7.2

TV Series

Sam Peploe

1996

1 episode

 

Warren Clarke, Jojo, Zizi, Zak, Tricky Nicky, Leo Piper, and Spangles in Moving Story (1994)

Moving Story

7.7

TV Series

Ken Uttley

1994–1995

13 episodes

 

Halle Berry and Jimmy Smits in Solomon & Sheba (1995)

Solomon & Sheba

5.5

TV Movie

Nathan

1995

 

Capital Lives

TV Series

1994

1 episode

 

Tony Doyle, Tom Georgeson, Neil Pearson, and Siobhan Redmond in Between the Lines (1992)

Between the Lines

8.1

TV Series

Chief Supt. Tattersall

1993

1 episode

 

Unnatural Causes (1993)

Unnatural Causes

6.5

TV Movie

Inspector Reckless

1993

 

Ken Russell and Glenda Jackson in The Secret Life of Arnold Bax (1992)

The Secret Life of Arnold Bax

7.4

TV Movie

John Ireland

1992

 

The Bohemian Life (1992)

The Bohemian Life

7.5

Street Sweeper

1992

 

Prisoner of Honor (1991)

Prisoner of Honor

6.5

TV Movie

Capt. Dreyfus

1991

 

George Cole in Minder (1979)

Minder

7.8

TV Series

Ron

1991

1 episode

 

John Thaw and Kevin Whately in Inspector Morse (1987)

Inspector Morse

8.2

TV Series

Detective Chief Inspector Patrick Dawson

1991

1 episode

 

The Last Island (1990)

The Last Island

6.3

Nick

1990

 

I Hired a Contract Killer (1990)

I Hired a Contract Killer

7.2

Killer

1990

 

Screen Two (1984)

Screen Two

6.4

TV Series

Sergej

1990

1 episode

 

Napoleon's Last Battle: Timewatch (1990)

Napoleon's Last Battle: Timewatch

5.9

TV Series

Napoleon Bonaparte

1990

 

Timewatch (1982)

Timewatch

7.7

TV Series

Napoleon Bonaparte

1990

1 episode

 

David Suchet in Poirot (1989)

Poirot

8.6

TV Series

Mathew Davenheim

1990

1 episode

 

The Plot to Kill Hitler (1990)

The Plot to Kill Hitler

6.2

TV Movie

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel

1990

 

The Rainbow (1989)

The Rainbow

6.3

Mr. Brunt (as Ken Colley)

1989

 

The Play on One (1988)

The Play on One

5.9

TV Series

Inspector Tennyson

1989

1 episode

 

War and Remembrance (1988)

War and Remembrance

8.2

TV Mini Series

SS Col. Paul Blobel

1988

2 episodes

 

Imogen Stubbs and James Wilby in A Summer Story (1988)

A Summer Story

7.2

Jim (as Ken Colley)

1988

 

Ten Great Writers of the Modern World (1988)

Ten Great Writers of the Modern World

8.5

TV Mini Series

Chief Inspector Heat

1988

1 episode

 

MacHeath (1987)

MacHeath

9.0

Short

David Garrick

1987

 

When Reason Sleeps (1987)

When Reason Sleeps

TV Mini Series

James Bentik

1987

1 episode

 

Richard Chamberlain in Casanova (1987)

Casanova

5.7

TV Movie

Le Duc

1987

 

John Gielgud, Michael Caine, Felicity Dean, James Fox, and Nigel Havers in The Whistle Blower (1986)

The Whistle Blower

6.2

Pickett

1986

 

The Kenny Everett Television Show (1981)

The Kenny Everett Television Show

7.2

TV Series

1986

1 episode

 

Brian Blessed and Christopher Guard in Return to Treasure Island (1986)

Return to Treasure Island

8.3

TV Mini Series

Ben Gunn (as Ken Colley)

1986

10 episodes

 

George C. Scott, Gina Bellman, and Gunnar Möller in Mussolini: The Untold Story (1985)

Mussolini: The Untold Story

6.9

TV Mini Series

King Vittorio Emmanuele

1985

2 episodes

 

Function Room

TV Mini Series

1985

1 episode

 

Wallenberg: A Hero's Story (1985)

Wallenberg: A Hero's Story

7.2

TV Movie

Adolf Eichmann

1985

 

Return to Waterloo (1984)

Return to Waterloo

6.7

TV Movie

The Traveller

1984

 

All the World's a Stage (1984)

All the World's a Stage

7.6

TV Mini Series

Quotations ReaderExtracts: A Month in the Country; The Playboy of the Western World; The Plough and the Stars

1984

1 episode

 

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Warwick Davis, David Prowse, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Carter, and Larry Ward in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

8.3

Admiral Piett

1983

 

John Gielgud, Gregory Peck, and Christopher Plummer in The Scarlet and the Black (1983)

The Scarlet and the Black

7.5

TV Movie

Capt. Hirsch (as Ken Colley)

1983

 

Jon Finch and Glenda Jackson in Giro City (1982)

Giro City

5.8

Martin

1982

 

Clint Eastwood in Firefox (1982)

Firefox

5.9

Colonel Kontarsky

1982

 

Kenneth Colley in I Remember Nelson (1982)

I Remember Nelson

7.5

TV Mini Series

Vice-Adm. Horatio Viscount Nelson

1982

4 episodes

 

Anthony Hopkins and Robert Foxworth in Peter and Paul (1981)

Peter and Paul

7.5

TV Movie

Theodotus

1981

 

Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, and Peter Mayhew in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

8.7

Admiral Piett

1980

 

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Monty Python's Life of Brian

8.0

Jesus

1979

 

The Danedyke Mystery (1979)

The Danedyke Mystery

7.0

TV Series

The Major

1979

6 episodes

 

The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978)

The BBC Television Shakespeare

8.1

TV Series

Duke Vincentio

1979

1 episode

 

Les Miserables (1978)

Les Miserables

7.3

TV Movie

Police Prefect

1978

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Frank BenyonBruce Tetley

1977–1978

2 episodes

 

Pennies from Heaven (1978)

Pennies from Heaven

8.3

TV Mini Series

The Accordion ManAccordion Man

1978

6 episodes

 

Hazell (1978)

Hazell

7.3

TV Series

Porter

1978

1 episode

 

Ripping Yarns (1976)

Ripping Yarns

7.8

TV Series

Robber

1977

1 episode

 

Christopher Benjamin, Kenneth Colley, Vivien Heilbron, Philip Madoc, Patrick Mower, Ron Pember, Brendan Price, Sandy Ratcliff, and Maurice Roëves in Target (1977)

Target

7.4

TV Series

Jessal

1977

1 episode

 

Horizon (1964)

Horizon

8.5

TV Series

Wren

1977

1 episode

 

Jabberwocky (1977)

Jabberwocky

6.1

1st Fanatic

1977

 

Dickens of London (1976)

Dickens of London

7.1

TV Mini Series

Robert Seymour

1976

1 episode

 

Don Henderson, Diane Keen, Peter Sallis, and Don Warrington in Crown Court (1972)

Crown Court

7.3

TV Series

James ArmstrongJames ArmstongVictor Snead ...

1972–1976

7 episodes

 

Three Days in Szczecin

TV Movie

Edmund Baluka

1976

 

BBC Play of the Month (1965)

BBC Play of the Month

6.8

TV Series

Yolinichev

1966–1976

2 episodes

 

Lisztomania (1975)

Lisztomania

6.1

Frédéric Chopin (as Ken Colley)

1975

 

John Thaw and Dennis Waterman in The Sweeney (1975)

The Sweeney

8.1

TV Series

Noah Riley

1975

1 episode

 

Churchill's People (1974)

Churchill's People

5.8

TV Series

Ancient Beau

1975

1 episode

 

Ben Kingsley, Kenneth Colley, and Peter Egan in The Love School (1975)

The Love School

7.4

TV Series

Edward Burne-Jones

1975

3 episodes

 

Slade in Flame (1975)

Slade in Flame

6.9

Tony Devlin

1975

 

Richard Harris, Omar Sharif, Shirley Knight, David Hemmings, Clifton James, and Roy Kinnear in Juggernaut (1974)

Juggernaut

6.6

Detective Brown

1974

 

Z Cars (1962)

Z Cars

7.1

TV Series

Lennie BowlesRosserFenton

1964–1974

3 episodes

 

The Nine Tailors (1974)

The Nine Tailors

8.0

TV Mini Series

Potty Peake

1974

1 episode

 

Patrick Stewart, Barry Foster, Gayle Hunnicutt, Charles Kay, and Laurence Naismith in Fall of Eagles (1974)

Fall of Eagles

8.1

TV Mini Series

Father Gapon

1974

2 episodes

 

Fulton Mackay, Patrick Mower, Derren Nesbitt, Wensley Pithey, and George Sewell in Special Branch (1969)

Special Branch

7.4

TV Series

Oliver

1974

1 episode

 

Robert Powell in Mahler (1974)

Mahler

7.0

Krenek (as Ken Colley)

1974

 

Robert Vaughn, Tony Anholt, and Nyree Dawn Porter in The Protectors (1972)

The Protectors

6.6

TV Series

Devlin

1973

1 episode

 

Michael Gothard, Oliver Tobias, and Jack Watson in Arthur of the Britons (1972)

Arthur of the Britons

7.5

TV Series

Erig

1973

1 episode

 

Black and Blue (1973)

Black and Blue

7.3

TV Series

Schultz

1973

1 episode

 

Jack the Ripper (1973)

Jack the Ripper

8.4

TV Mini Series

Police Constable

1973

1 episode

 

Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973)

Hitler: The Last Ten Days

6.5

Gerhardt Boldt

1973

 

Oliver Reed, Brian Deacon, and Glenda Jackson in The Triple Echo (1972)

The Triple Echo

6.4

Provo Corporal (as Ken Colley)

1972

 

The Visitors

TV Mini Series

Agent

1972

2 episodes

 

Rodney Bewes in Dear Mother... ...Love Albert (1969)

Dear Mother... ...Love Albert

6.3

TV Series

Jimmy

1972

1 episode

 

John Carlisle and John Woodvine in New Scotland Yard (1972)

New Scotland Yard

7.3

TV Series

Peter Elliot

1972

1 episode

 

A Family at War (1970)

A Family at War

7.7

TV Series

Sergeant Jago

1972

1 episode

 

Twiggy in The Boy Friend (1971)

The Boy Friend

6.8

Bearded King in Fantasy Sequence (uncredited)

1971

 

Derek Jacobi, Ronald Fraser, Charles Gray, Bernard Hepton, John Thaw, and Douglas Wilmer in The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971)

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes

7.2

TV Series

Farrish

1971

2 episodes

 

Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed in The Devils (1971)

The Devils

7.7

Legrand

1971

 

Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson in The Music Lovers (1971)

The Music Lovers

7.2

Modeste

1971

 

Mick Jagger and James Fox in Performance (1970)

Performance

6.7

Tony Farrell (as Ken Colley)

1970

 

Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965)

Thirty-Minute Theatre

7.2

TV Series

Charles IAdolf HitlerDr. Emil Justin ...

1967–1970

4 episodes

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.1

TV Series

Hitler

1970

1 episode

 

The Wednesday Play (1964)

The Wednesday Play

7.2

TV Series

JockBethold FlorenbergNick

1965–1969

3 episodes

 

Marius Goring in The Expert (1968)

The Expert

8.2

TV Series

MuntForeman

1968–1969

2 episodes

 

Judge Dee (1969)

Judge Dee

8.1

TV Series

Kun Shan

1969

1 episode

 

Oh! What a Lovely War (1969)

Oh! What a Lovely War

7.0

Irish Soldier (uncredited)

1969

 

Look and Read (1967)

Look and Read

8.1

TV Series

Mr. Moon

1968

8 episodes

 

The Blood Beast Terror (1968)

The Blood Beast Terror

5.2

James

1968

 

Charles Hyatt and William Lucas in City '68 (1967)

City '68

7.6

TV Series

Corbett

1968

1 episode

 

Ian Hendry and Jean Marsh in The Informer (1966)

The Informer

7.5

TV Series

Slater

1967

1 episode

 

John Lennon and Michael Crawford in How I Won the War (1967)

How I Won the War

5.5

2nd Replacement

1967

 

Kenneth More in The White Rabbit (1967)

The White Rabbit

8.8

TV Mini Series

Sasha

1967

1 episode

 

Hobson's Choice

TV Series

Will Mossop

1967

3 episodes

 

The Jokers (1967)

The Jokers

6.6

De Winter (chauffeur)

1967

 

Macbeth

6.6

TV Movie

Macbeth's servant

1966

 

Softly Softly (1966)

Softly Softly

7.0

TV Series

Robins

1966

1 episode

 

Steve Forrest and Sue Lloyd in The Baron (1966)

The Baron

7.1

TV Series

Dinny Brand

1966

1 episode

 

The Government Inspector

TV Mini Series

Postmaster

1966

3 episodes

 

Armchair Theatre (1956)

Armchair Theatre

7.5

TV Series

Jimmy

1966

1 episode

 

Emergency-Ward 10 (1957)

Emergency-Ward 10

6.2

TV Series

Arthur PastorEd

1964–1966

4 episodes

 

No Hiding Place (1959)

No Hiding Place

7.4

TV Series

Sidney Runtle

1965

1 episode

 

The Good Soldier Schweik

TV Movie

PatientRailwayman

1965

 

Oliver Reed in R3 (1964)

R3

8.4

TV Series

George Barratt

1965

1 episode

 

Peter Copley and Paul Williamson in Thorndyke (1964)

Thorndyke

TV Series

Ellis

1964

1 episode

 

John Thaw in Redcap (1964)

Redcap

7.9

TV Series

Private Bolt

1964

1 episode

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.6

TV Series

ColinPrivate Leetham

1963–1964

2 episodes

 

Peter Adamson, Jean Alexander, Johnny Briggs, Margot Bryant, and Doris Speed in Coronation Street (1960)

Coronation Street

5.6

TV Series

Lionel

1964

2 episodes

 

Seventy Deadly Pills (1964)

Seventy Deadly Pills

6.6

Covent Garden porter

1964

 

Keith Barron and William Mervyn in It's Dark Outside (1964)

It's Dark Outside

7.8

TV Series

Hammond

1964

1 episode

 

The Avengers (1961)

The Avengers

8.3

TV Series

Young Man

1963

1 episode

 

Maupassant (1963)

Maupassant

9.2

TV Series

1963

1 episode

 

Michael Quinn and Donald Wolfit in Ghost Squad (1961)

Ghost Squad

7.1

TV Series

Bank Teller

1963

1 episode

 

Reginald Marsh, Barbara Murray, and Patrick Wymark in The Plane Makers (1963)

The Plane Makers

7.8

TV Series

Jack Moss

1963

1 episode

 

A for Andromeda (1961)

A for Andromeda

7.1

TV Series

Dead Body (uncredited)

1961

1 episode

 

Producer

Alligator

Short

producer

2007

 

Greetings (2007)

Greetings

3.9

producer

2007

 

Soundtrack

Pennies from Heaven (1978)

Pennies from Heaven

8.3

TV Mini Series

performer: "Serenade in the Night" (uncredited)

1978

2 episodes

 

Self

Comedy Connections (2003)

Comedy Connections

7.6

TV Series

SelfRobber

2008

1 episode

 

For Schools and Colleges: Drama

TV Series

Self

1967

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Monty Python: Almost the Truth - The Lawyer's Cut (2009)

Monty Python: Almost the Truth - The Lawyer's Cut

8.1

TV Mini Series

Jesus (archive footage)

2009

1 episode

 

The Secret Life of Brian (2007)

The Secret Life of Brian

7.6

TV Movie

Jesus (archive footage, uncredited)

2007

 

George Harrison - Der sanfte Beatle

8.0

TV Movie

(archive footage)

2001