Clive Revill, best known for voicing Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars, has passed away at the age of 94. His daughter confirmed his death, revealing that he had been battling dementia before passing on March 11 at an assisted-living facility in Sherman Oaks, California.
Revill, born on April 18, 1930, in Wellington, New Zealand, initially trained as an accountant before pursuing acting. He studied at London’s Old Vic School and built an extensive career spanning theater, film, and television. He earned two Tony nominations for his Broadway performances and appeared in numerous Shakespeare productions.
His acting credits include The Adventures of Robin Hood, Modesty Blaise, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, and TV series such as Columbo, Dynasty, Magnum, P.I., and The Twilight Zone. In Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, he voiced Emperor Palpatine, though Ian McDiarmid later took over the physical portrayal of the character in subsequent films.
Revill’s final role was in the 2016 film The Queen of Spain, directed by Fernando Trueba. He was remembered by his daughter as a generous mentor in the entertainment industry and a supportive father. He is survived by his daughter, Kate.
