Star Wars’ Clive Revill, Original Emperor Palpatine Voice, Passes Away at 94

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Clive Revill, a multitalented actor who lent his voice to the initial Emperor Palpatine character in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” passed away on March 11th at a care home in Sherman Oaks after a struggle with dementia. He was 94 years old. His daughter, Kate Revill, verified his death, which happened about a month before what would have been his 95th birthday. Apart from his short but impactful role in the “Star Wars” series, Revill had an illustrious career marked by two Tony Award nominations, membership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, roles in numerous Hollywood films, and voice acting gigs in animation and video games that won him legions of fans across various cherished franchises.

In 1980, Revill provided the menacing lines for Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars universe, a role directed by Irvin Kershner. Although Ian McDiarmid’s voice replaced it in the 2004 DVD release of the film, Revill’s initial performance was the first portrayal of the saga’s main antagonist for many viewers. Throughout his career, Revill relished this legacy and frequently thrilled fans by reprising his chilling line, “There is a great disturbance in the Force.” In an interview with The Spectrum in 2015, he shared that fans at conventions would ask him to get close and close their eyes before delivering Emperor Palpatine’s eerie voice. He noted that such performances left people pale and one even came close to fainting!

Clive Selsby Revill was born on April 18, 1930, in Wellington, New Zealand. As an actuary in a bank, his life took an unexpected turn when he met the renowned actor Laurence Olivier and his wife, Vivien Leigh, during their visit to New Zealand. Inspired by Revill’s love for Shakespeare, Olivier suggested he attend his Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol. After moving to England in 1950, Revill faced challenges initially, but a crucial conversation with his movement instructor motivated him to “discover the truth within himself.” This advice became the cornerstone of his acting philosophy throughout his successful career encompassing Broadway, film, and television.

Clive Revill’s Legacy Beyond Star Wars

Revill’s influence on genre entertainment went far beyond his brief yet impactful character in the Star Wars series. In 1992, he lent his voice to the Alfred Pennyworth character in early installments of Batman: The Animated Series, further expanding his repertoire of cherished characters within genre productions. His bond with the Star Wars universe remained strong as he voiced various characters in multiple video games, preserving his link to the franchise that made him a household name with his iconic role.

Fans of horror films will recognize actor Roy Dotrice for his chilling portrayal of physicist Lionel Barrett in the 1973 supernatural thriller “The Legend of Hell House,” where he teamed up with Roddy McDowall to probe unexplained paranormal occurrences. On the other hand, comedy enthusiasts may recall his roles in Mel Brooks’ films such as “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “Dracula: Dead and Loving It.” For those who grew up watching television, they might remember Dotrice for his many guest appearances on hit shows ranging from “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Remington Steele,” to “Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Throughout his career on stage, Revill made an equally remarkable impact, beginning with his Broadway debut in the 1952 production of ‘Mr. Pickwick’. His exceptional talent for metamorphosis garnered him Tony Award nominations for two musical roles: first as Bob-Le-Hotu, the bar owner, in ‘Irma la Douce’ (1961), and then as the captivating antagonist Fagin in ‘Oliver!’ (1963). The spotlight of the theater didn’t escape the attention of filmmaker Billy Wilder, who offered him roles in two prominent films: he played a representative for a Russian ballerina in ‘The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’ (1970), and portrayed a beleaguered hotel manager in ‘Avanti!’ (1972), which earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe.

Revill’s memory lives on through his daughter Kate and granddaughter Kayla, who uphold his legacy by allowing new audiences to appreciate his talent via streaming platforms and collectible physical media. His exceptional performances continue to captivate viewers from one generation to the next.

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2025-03-27 10:40