Kenneth Colley, the English character actor best known for his role as Admiral Piett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, has died aged 87. He passed away “peacefully” last June in Ashford, Kent, and newly released documents reveal the distribution of his estate.

Estate and will details

Reports and court documents indicate Colley left the bulk of his estate to his sister, Michelle, and a close friend. The headlines described the estate as around £720,000. Newly released documents showed he had £734,408 when he died.

The actor left his property in Hythe, Kent, to his sister. Specific monetary bequests included £10,000 to Katherine Slater of London, £2,000 to Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary of Hythe, £20,000 to the Edith Cavell Fund for Nurses, and £5,000 to Demelza House Children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne. The remainder of the estate was left to friend and executor Lynn Margaret Shaw of Hythe.

Career, final days and tributes

Colley enjoyed a six‑decade career on stage, film and television and gained particular recognition for his portrayal of Admiral Piett, the commander of Darth Vader’s flagship, in two Star Wars films. His agent Julian Owen recalled a wide body of work, noting Colley had played roles including Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, characters in Ken Russell films and the Duke of Vienna in the BBC’s Measure for Measure.

“He passed away peacefully with friends at his bedside,” Julian Owen said, and added Colley was “one of our finest character actors.”

Owen also said: “He had been admitted after a fall with an injured arm, however he quickly contracted Covid which developed into pneumonia.”

Owen noted Colley’s participation in Star Wars brought invitations to conventions and fan events worldwide. He also remembered Colley’s personal interests: “Ken also loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars.” Colley was married to Mary Dunne for 56 years until her death in 2018.

Remembrance

Colley’s passing and the details of his will prompted tributes from colleagues and fans who remembered him for his versatility and longevity as a character actor. Several charities named in his will will benefit from his bequests.

Image Referance: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/38177608/star-wars-kenneth-colley-will-revealed/