The world of entertainment has lost a beloved figure with the passing of Clive Revill, the original voice of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Revill, who was 94 years old, left behind a legacy of incredible performances that spanned over six decades.
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1930, Revill’s journey into acting was inspired by legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, who encouraged him to study at the prestigious Old Vic Theatre School in England. This advice set him on the path to an incredible career, with iconic roles in Transformers: The Movie, Batman: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Columbo.
Revill’s performance as Emperor Palpatine in The Empire Strikes Back may have been brief, but it left a lasting impact on fans. His voice, which was later replaced by Ian McDiarmid in the 2004 DVD edition, remains a cherished piece of Star Wars history. Despite this change, fans continued to celebrate Revill’s contribution to the franchise, and he remained a beloved figure at sci-fi conventions.
Tributes have been pouring in from fans and fellow actors, remembering Revill as a kind and talented individual who was always full of great stories. His influence will live on through the countless characters he brought to life over the years, and his legacy will never be forgotten.
Revill officially retired from acting in 2016, after his final film role in The Queen of Spain. He passed away on March 11 at a care facility in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, following a long battle with dementia. He will be deeply missed by his fans and the entertainment community.
