Image of Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid was born in Tayside, Scotland, in 1944. He studied for an M.A. in Clinical Psychology at The University of St Andrews, but eventually found that his calling was in theatre. He went to the Royal Academy in Glasgow, where he received the prestigious gold medal for his work. He now has a highly successful career as a theatre director, and from 1990 until his retirement in 2001 was Joint Artistic Director of London's Almeida Theatre in Islington. He and his co-director Jonathan Kent revived the Almeida and persuaded many Hollywood stars including Kevin Spacey, Ralph Fiennes and Anna Friel to tread the boards in their humble theatre. They won the coveted London Evening Standard Award in 1998 for their efforts. McDiarmid is also well known for his film and television appearances, and is perhaps most famous for his chilling performance as The Emperor in George Lucas's Star Wars films.


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Born:
Aug 11, 1944 In Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK
Movie/TV Credits:
49
First Appeared:
In the movie Amazing Stories 1976-02-01
Latest Project:
Movie Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return 2022-09-08
Known For
Poster of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception
Poster of Chernobyl: The Final Warning
Poster of Amazing Stories
Filmography
Movie Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return Self - Emperor Palpatine 2022-09-08
Movie The Skywalker Legacy Self 2020-03-18
Movie Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Emperor Palpatine 2019-12-18
Series Britannia King Pellenor 2018-01-18
Movie The Lost City of Z Sir George Goldie 2017-03-15
Movie Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal Emperor Palpatine (voice) 2015-04-18
Movie Star Wars: Greatest Moments Self 2015-12-26
Movie Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel Self 2015-12-15
Series 37 Days Sir Edward Grey 2014-03-06
Series Star Wars Rebels Emperor Palpatine 2014-10-13
Series Utopia Anton 2013-01-15
Movie Margaret Denis Thatcher 2009-03-26
Movie The Odds 2009-10-20
Series City of Vice Henry Fielding 2008-01-14
Movie Star Wars: A Musical Journey Host 2005-05-03
Movie Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious 2005-05-17
Series Elizabeth I Lord Burghley 2005-09-29
Movie Our Hidden Lives B. Charles 2005-10-03
Movie The Story of Star Wars Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage) 2004-08-18
Series Charles II: The Power and The Passion Sir Edward Hyde 2003-11-16
Movie Crime and Punishment Porfiry 2002-02-12
Series Spooks Unknown 2002-05-13
Movie Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Chancellor Palpatine 2002-05-15
Movie The Beginning: Making 'Episode I' Self 2001-10-16
Movie Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend Self 2000-05-23
Movie Great Expectations Jaggers 1999-04-12
Movie Sleepy Hollow Dr. Lancaster 1999-11-19
Movie Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace Senator Palpatine 1999-05-19
Movie The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception Prof. Levi 1999-10-31
Movie All the King's Men Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards 1999-11-14
Series Karaoke Oliver Morse 1996-04-28
Movie Hillsborough Doctor Popper, Coroner 1996-09-11
Movie Restoration Ambrose 1995-12-29
Movie Annie: A Royal Adventure Dr. Eli Eon 1995-11-18
Movie Heart of Darkness Doctor 1993-10-01
Movie Chernobyl: The Final Warning Dr. Vatisenko 1991-04-22
Movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Arthur 1988-12-14
Series Inspector Morse Unknown 1987-01-06
Series The Nation's Health Dr Vernon Davis 1983-10-06
Movie Return of the Jedi The Emperor 1983-05-25
Movie Gorky Park Prof. Andreev 1983-12-15
Movie Dragonslayer Brother Jacopus 1981-06-26
Movie The Empire Strikes Back Emperor (Special Edition 2004) 1980-05-20
Movie The Awakening Dr. Richter 1980-07-09
Movie Richard's Things Burglar 1980-12-26
Movie Sir Henry at Rawlinson End Reg Smeeton 1980-11-07
Movie Macbeth The Porter / Ross 1979-02-02
Movie Amazing Stories Blade 1976-02-01
Movie The Likely Lads Vicar 1976-02-01