Original ‘Star Wars’ Emperor Palpatine Actor Dead at 94

The accomplished actor was much more than just a member of the original Star Wars family, acting in various productions spanning multiple genres and generations of cinema.

A person with short, wavy brown hair and a serious expression looks slightly to the side, reminiscent of a classic cast member in a vintage Star Wars scene. They are indoors, and the background is blurred. — Credit: ABC

Clive Revill, Broadway star and actor, died at 94 years of age. The New Zealand native had made a name for himself through a rich and storied career in both Hollywood and on Broadway, with one of his most notable roles being none other than Emperor Palpatine in The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

According to an official report from The Hollywood Reporter, Revill had been diagnosed with dementia before his death on March 11, 2025, passing away at a care facility in Sherman Oaks.

Revill brought the now-iconic movie villain to life in The Empire Strikes Back, though he’s not typically seen as the face of the character. As the Star Wars saga continued to evolve and unfold, Revill’s portrayal of a hologram Sheev Palpatine in Empire was swapped out for Ian McDiarmid, who played Palpatine throughout George Lucas’ prequel trilogy as well as in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

Revill is far from the only actor to be replaced in updated versions of the Star Wars films, with the entire original trilogy undergoing some rather infamous “enhancements” over the years.

In the original version of Return of The Jedi (1983), the ghost of Anakin Skywalker, played by Sebastian Shaw, can be seen. Shaw’s portrayal of an older Anakain was eventually replaced with Hayden Christensen’s likeness following the release of the prequel trilogy, a decision that has caused a lot of division within the Star Wars community.

Credit: Disney

Revill had a long and accomplished career even outside of starring in what is now considered to be one of the best films ever made, using his versatility and talents to play in a variety of products such as Modesty Blaise (1966) and John Hough’s The Legend of Hell House (1973).

Revill also voiced Alfred in Batman: The Animated Series. Revill was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing seven times in various Broadway acts. Revill received Tony nominations for his role in 1961’s Irma la Douce and as Fagin in 1963’s Oliver!

Revill got connected to Star Wars because he had previously worked with Empire director Irvin Kershner on a 1966 film called A Fine Madness. Revill was called in to record a few lines for the Emperor, who was at the time a rather mysterious character lurking in the shadows of the then-fairly small Star Wars universe. In 2004, Revill’s likeness was replaced on the DVD release of the film.

In an interview with The Spectrum in 2015, Revill recalled fans interacting with him and hearing him recite his iconic lines from the film.

“They come up to me, and I tell them to get close and shut their eyes. Then I say [in the emperor’s voice], ‘There is a great disturbance in the Force.’ People turn white, and one nearly fainted!”

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