British actor Kenneth Colley, best known for his role as Admiral Piett in *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, has passed away at the age of 87. His death follows a bout with Covid-19 that led to pneumonia, according to reports. Colley died peacefully at his home in Kent, UK, on Monday.

Colley portrayed Admiral Piett, the loyal Imperial officer in command of Darth Vader’s flagship, the *Executor*. His performance left a lasting impression on fans, leading to the character’s return in the 2012 animated special *Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out*, where Colley reprised the role. Beyond the Star Wars universe, Colley was also recognized for his portrayal of Jesus in Monty Python’s satirical classic *Life of Brian*.

In a statement, Colley’s agent Julian Owen praised the actor’s remarkable six-decade career, calling him “one of our finest character actors.” Owen highlighted Colley’s diverse body of work across stage, film, and television, from playing Jesus in *Monty Python's Life of Brian* to memorable roles in Ken Russell’s films and Shakespearean performances such as the Duke of Vienna in the BBC’s adaptation of *Measure for Measure*.

Colley had been hospitalized due to an arm injury sustained in a fall, but his condition worsened after contracting Covid-19, which rapidly progressed into pneumonia.

Admiral Piett was initially a minor character in *The Empire Strikes Back*, but his popularity grew through fan engagement. According to the *Daily Mail*, George Lucas decided to bring the character back for *Return of the Jedi* after Lucasfilm received a significant amount of fan mail praising Colley’s performance.

Colley once shared that he landed the role because director Irvin Kershner was seeking someone who “would frighten Hitler,” a description that fit his commanding presence. Over the years, he became a beloved figure at Star Wars conventions, cherished by fans for his contributions to the saga.