About
Kenneth Colley (7 December 1937 — 30 June 2025) was an English actor. A long-time character actor, he came to wider prominence through his role as Admiral Piett in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Colley was born in Manchester. He played Jesus (very briefly indeed) in Life of Brian (1979), having also appeared in the earlier Python-related production Ripping Yarns episode "The Testing of Eric Olthwaite" alongside Michael Palin. As a Shakespearean actor, he played the Duke of Vienna in the BBC Television Shakespeare production of Measure for Measure (also 1979). Colley also held an important role in the Clint Eastwood film Firefox, as a Soviet Colonel tasked with the protection of the Firefox and its secrets. Colley portrayed SS-Standartenführer Paul Blobel in the World War II drama War and Remembrance. His character was charged...
Known for
Midsomer MurdersSeries • 1997
Agatha Christie's PoirotSeries • 1989
CasualtySeries • 1986
Peaky BlindersSeries • 2013
VeraSeries • 2011
The AvengersSeries • 1961
Play for TodaySeries • 1970
MinderSeries • 1979
Crown CourtSeries • 1972
HeartbeatSeries • 1992
The Wednesday PlaySeries • 1964
Peak PracticeSeries • 1993
BBC Play of the MonthSeries • 1965
Screen TwoSeries • 1985
Relic HunterSeries • 1999
New TricksSeries • 2004
OmnibusSeries • 1967
Inspector MorseSeries • 1987
Foyle's WarSeries • 2002
Thirty-Minute TheatreSeries • 1965
No Hiding PlaceSeries • 1959
The SweeneySeries • 1975
The InstituteSeries • 2025
MisfitsSeries • 2009