Kenneth Colley

Kenneth Colley

1937-12-07 Manchester, England, UK 56 Credits

Biography

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 Shak...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

Dan Hawk Psychic Detective

Dan Hawk Psychic Detective

2024

as Thaddeus Moncrief

Acting

Dan Hawk, an ex-detective turned writer, is re-instated onto the force after returning to his home town. A serial killer has 'donned the guise' of Haw...

Scar Tissue

Scar Tissue

2013

as Weaver

5.5
Acting

When Luke wakes up and finds a mutilated corpse in his bathroom, his life changes for ever. Stalked by a terrifying psychopathic serial killer, he has...

LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

2012

as Admiral Piett (voice)

6.4
Acting

Luke Skywalker embarks on a mission to destroy an Imperial base, but is relentlessly chased by a group of fanatic girls who think of him as a celebrit...

Greetings

Greetings

2007

as Ken

1.0
Acting

It's Cathy's party, but she's not having a good time. The boys have found an Ouija board and are out for some harmless fun. When strange things start ...

Greetings

Greetings

2007

Producer, Director, Writer

1.0
Producing Directing Writing

It's Cathy's party, but she's not having a good time. The boys have found an Ouija board and are out for some harmless fun. When strange things start ...

Like Father Like Son

Like Father Like Son

2005

as Rawsthorne

6.7
Acting

Life for Dee Stanton is improving at every turn. Her legal career is blossoming and her boyfriend Dominic unexpectedly proposes to her. Things were ve...

Hold Back the Night

1999

as Uncle Bob

5.2
Acting

A young woman joins a group of protesters trying to stop the construction of a highway through a forest with the purpose of having sex with their lead...

Shadow Run

Shadow Run

1998

as Larcombe

3.8
Acting

Haskell is assigned a job by his boss, the aristocratic Landon-Higgins, to highjack a high security van in broad daylight while it's in the shadow run...

Brassed Off

Brassed Off

1996

as Greasley

7.0
Acting

A Yorkshire coal mine is threatened with closure and the only hope is for the men to enter their Grimley Colliery Brass Band into a national competiti...

Robert Rylands' Last Journey

Robert Rylands' Last Journey

1996

as Archdale

6.1
Acting

Loosely (and controversial) adaptation of the novel "All Souls" by Javier Marias. It tells the story of a Spanish professor at Oxford who witnesses th...

Solomon & Sheba

Solomon & Sheba

1995

as Nathan

6.2
Acting

In the land of Israel, Solomon (Jimmy Smits) is trying to figure out a way to become the world’s supplier of frankincense. He sends an envoy to the ti...

Unnatural Causes

Unnatural Causes

1993

as Inspector Gerry Reckless

Acting

Roy Marsden returns as author P.D. James's indefatigable gumshoe, Inspector Adam Dalgliesh. This time, he's investigating the murder of a famous myste...

The Secret Life of Arnold Bax

The Secret Life of Arnold Bax

1992

as John Ireland

6.0
Acting

A biopic about the eminent composer Sir Arnold Bax.

La Vie de Bohème

La Vie de Bohème

1992

as Street Sweeper

7.5
Acting

Three penniless artists become friends in modern-day Paris: Rodolfo, an Albanian painter with no visa, Marcel, a playwright and magazine editor with n...

Prisoner of Honor

Prisoner of Honor

1991

as Capt. Dreyfus

6.2
Acting

France, 1897. Colonel Georges Picquart challenges the French government when he discovers the obscure political maneuvers that led to the imprisonment...

The Last Island

The Last Island

1990

as Nick

5.7
Acting

After a large airliner crashes on a deserted island killing most of the passengers, two women, five men and a dog survive: an Eastern European, a Cana...

I Hired a Contract Killer

I Hired a Contract Killer

1990

as The Killer

6.9
Acting

After losing his job and realizing that he is alone in the world, a businessman opts to voluntarily end his life. Lacking courage, he hires a contract...

Kremlin Farewell

Kremlin Farewell

1990

as Sergej

Acting

A drama of intrigue and betrayal in Stalin's Russia. Stepan grows up in an orphanage, learning to love Stalin as 'a father to all children'. He retain...

The Plot to Kill Hitler

The Plot to Kill Hitler

1990

as Wilhelm Keitel

6.0
Acting

A historical recreation of the 1944 attempt by several German High Command Officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and take control of the German governm...

The Rainbow

The Rainbow

1989

as Mr. Brunt

5.7
Acting

Born to a rich landowner in the waning days of the Victorian era, Ursula Brangwen grows into a beautiful young woman full of imagination and ambition....

A Master of the Marionettes

A Master of the Marionettes

1989

as Inspector Tennyson

Acting

Teddy Rose's passion is security - selling alarm systems to prosperous yet fearful suburban homes, one of which he and his family inhabit with conspic...

A Summer Story

A Summer Story

1988

as Jim

6.2
Acting

A young lawyer from London, Mr. Ashton, and his best friend are hiking across Dartmoor. When he twists his ankle, Ashton is forced to seek help at a n...

Casanova

Casanova

1987

as Le Duc

4.2
Acting

The life story of an 18th century womanizer who's arrested, not so much for his crimes, but because he's viewed as an undesirable by the husbands and ...

The Whistle Blower

The Whistle Blower

1986

as Bill Pickett

5.8
Acting

A war veteran tries to investigate the murder of his son who was working as a Russian translator for the British intelligence service during the Cold ...

Return to Waterloo

Return to Waterloo

1984

as The Traveller

6.7
Acting

A man taking the train to work one morning is overcome by melancholy memories and morbid fantasies.

Return of the Jedi

Return of the Jedi

1983

as Admiral Piett

7.9
Acting

Luke Skywalker leads a mission to rescue his friend Han Solo from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, while the Emperor seeks to destroy the Rebellion onc...

The Scarlet and the Black

The Scarlet and the Black

1983

as Capt. Hirsch

7.0
Acting

Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty is a Vatican official in 1943-45 who has been hiding downed pilots, escaped prisoners of war, and Italian resistance families. His...

Giro City

Giro City

1982

as Martin

5.0
Acting

Welsh investigative journalists set out to cover the Troubles in Northern Ireland only to unearth censorship and corruption back home.

Firefox

Firefox

1982

as Colonel Kontarsky

6.0
Acting

The Soviets have developed a revolutionary new jet fighter, called 'Firefox'. Worried that the jet will be used as a first-strike weapon—as there are ...

I Remember Nelson

I Remember Nelson

1982

as Vice-Adm. Horatio Viscount Nelson

Acting

Vice Adm. Horatio Nelson's remarkable naval career and troubled personal affairs are brought to life in this miniseries, which tells his famous story ...

The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back

1980

as Admiral Piett

8.4
Acting

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Dar...

Life of Brian

Life of Brian

1979

as Jesus

7.8
Acting

Brian Cohen is an average young Jewish man, but through a series of ridiculous events, he gains a reputation as the Messiah. When he's not dodging his...

The Danedyke Mystery

The Danedyke Mystery

1979

as The Major

Acting

In the village of Danedyke St Mary the Reverend Septimus Treloar, a former Chief Inspector, investigates mysterious goings on linked to his church.

Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure

1979

as Duke Vincentio

6.0
Acting

When the Duke of Vienna takes a mysterious leave of absence and leaves the strict Angelo in charge, things couldn't be worse for Claudio, who is sente...

Les Misérables

Les Misérables

1978

as Police Prefect

7.2
Acting

In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both me...

One Bummer News Day

One Bummer News Day

1978

as Frank Benyon

Acting

What happens to provincial journalists when there's nothing in the news and they have a paper to fill?

Come the Revolution

Come the Revolution

1977

as Bruce Tetley

Acting

Comedy about a pub theatre group seen as dramatic revolutionaries by an actress with more than her share of imagination.

The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

The Testing of Eric Olthwaite

1977

as Robber

7.0
Acting

Eric Olthwaite is so boring that his family all leave home to escape him. Then one day he is accidentally caught up in a bank robbery and discovers th...

Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky

1977

as 1st Fanatic

6.1
Acting

After the death of his father, young Dennis Cooper goes to town where he has to pass several adventures. The town and the whole kingdom is threatened ...

Lisztomania

Lisztomania

1975

as Frederic Chopin

6.0
Acting

In the 19th century, Romantic composer/pianist Franz Liszt tries to end his hedonistic ways but keeps getting sucked back in by his seductive fellow c...

Flame

Flame

1975

as Tony Devlin

7.2
Acting

Light the Rock 'n Roll spark with a Flame in the guise of Dave, Noddy, Jim and Don and their showcase of the rise and demise of rock band Flame. Set i...

Juggernaut

Juggernaut

1974

as Detective Brown

6.2
Acting

A terrorist demands a huge ransom in exchange for information on how to disarm the seven bombs he has planted aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise ship.

Mahler

Mahler

1974

as Krenek

6.7
Acting

Famed composer Gustav Mahler reflects on the tragedies of his life and failing marriage while traveling by train.

Hitler: The Last Ten Days

Hitler: The Last Ten Days

1973

as Boldt

6.1
Acting

Hitler: The Last Ten Days takes us into the depths of der Furher’s Berlin bunker during his final days. Based on the book by Gerhard Boldt, it provide...

The Triple Echo

The Triple Echo

1972

as Provo Corporal

6.0
Acting

After her husband is captured during WWII, homesteader Alice is forced to maintain their land herself. One day, a wandering soldier named Barton stops...

The Boy Friend

The Boy Friend

1971

as King in fantasy sequence (uncredited)

6.6
Acting

When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place.

The Devils

The Devils

1971

as Legrand

7.5
Acting

In 17th-century France, Father Urbain Grandier seeks to protect the city of Loudun from the corrupt establishment of Cardinal Richelieu. Hysteria occu...

The Music Lovers

The Music Lovers

1971

as Modeste Tchaikovsky

6.6
Acting

Composer, conductor and teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexual tendencies by marrying, but unfortunately, he chooses wacky n...

Performance

Performance

1970

as Tony Farrell (as Ken Colley)

6.7
Acting

In underworld terms, Chas Devlin is a 'performer,' a gangster with a talent for violence and intimidation. Turner is a reclusive rock superstar. When ...

Dance of the Seven Veils

Dance of the Seven Veils

1970

8.0
Acting

Russell’s composer biopics were usually labours of love. This was the opposite: he regarded Strauss’s music as 'bombastic, sham and hollow', and despi...

The Blood Beast Terror

The Blood Beast Terror

1968

as James

5.5
Acting

A Scotland Yard Detective must investigate a series of murders perpetrated by a giant blood-sucking moth that can take human form.

Who Pays?

1968

as Corbett

Acting

After a scout troupe is tragically mowed down by a truck, responsibility passes around the driver, the poorly sited roadworks and the scout master for...

How I Won the War

How I Won the War

1967

as 2nd Replacement

5.5
Acting

An inept British WWII commander leads his troops to a series of misadventures in North Africa and Europe.

The Jokers

The Jokers

1967

as De Winter

6.0
Acting

Brothers Michael and David Tremayne decide to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London, not for criminal purposes, but to make themselves famou...

Three Clear Sundays

Three Clear Sundays

1965

as Nick

5.0
Acting

Ken Loach production for The Wednesday Play, reflecting contemporary debates surrounding the abolishment of capital punishment.

Seventy Deadly Pills

Seventy Deadly Pills

1963

as Covent Garden porter

6.0
Acting

A small boy, Dickie Goodwin, finds some strychnine pills mixed with sweets in a stolen car left in a deserted garage. With them he buys his way into t...