Clive Revill, Original Voice of Emperor Palpatine, Dies at 94

The versatile actor and voice artist passed away on March 11, 2025, after battling dementia, leaving behind a legacy spanning theater, film, and iconic voice roles.

Clive Revill, best known as the original voice of Emperor Palpatine in 1980's 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,' passed away at a care facility in Sherman Oaks, California.
Revill's career included two Tony Award nominations for his roles in the Broadway musicals 'Irma La Douce' and 'Oliver!' during the 1960s.
He was a member of the Shakespeare Company and transitioned into voice acting in later years, contributing to 'Batman: The Animated Series' and several 'Star Wars' video games.
His portrayal of Emperor Palpatine was replaced by Ian McDiarmid in the 2004 DVD release for continuity with later films, though Revill's original performance remains celebrated by fans.
Revill is survived by his daughter, Kate, and granddaughter, Kayla, who confirmed his passing and his battle with dementia.

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The Hollywood Reporter