Star Wars actor dies at 87

It was reported that Colley injured his arm in a fall and was taken to hospital where he contracted Covid, which turned into pneumonia and led to his death. His manager said in a statement: “Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors, having played a multitude of characters on stage, in film and on television during his 60-year career.”

Apart from Star Wars, the actor played Jesus in Monty Python's Life of Brian, the Duke of Vienna in the BBC's adaptation of Measure for Measure, and appeared before the audience as evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell's films.

Colley stated that George Lucas added the character to Return of the Jedi thanks to the overwhelming amount of letters sent by Star Wars fans. Colley said that he got the role of Empire after impressing director Irvin Kershner, and that Kershner told him, "I was looking for someone who would scare Hitler, yeah, I think it's you."

He voiced the character of Admiral Piett in the animated production Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out, released in 2012. Colley, who attended fan meetings around the world thanks to Star Wars, was remembered as one of the most beloved actors of the original trilogy.

Colley has also played Noah Riley in the 1970s police drama The Sweeney, various characters in Doctor Who specials, and the TV series Holby City and Peaky Blinders. He directed the horror film Greetings in 2007 and recorded short narrations for Phenomenal Cat's album Pop Wasteland in 2017.

The Manchester-born actor is reportedly enjoying his life in Kent and, according to actor-director Terry Gilliam, has a stutter in real life, but delivers his lines on film sets without any problems. Colley has stated that playing Estragon in Waiting for Godot, staged at the Cockpit Theatre in 2014, was his favourite role of his career.

The actor had passions including gardening, art collecting and fast cars. Fans on social media expressed their sadness for Colley, with messages including: “You are immortalised in the galaxies and in our hearts. May the Force be with you.”