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

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 18, 1930, Clive Selsby Revill's path to acting was significantly influenced by a chance encounter with Laurence Olivier. Encouraged by the theatre legend, Revill moved to England in 1950 to study at the Old Vic Theatre School, overcoming initial self-doubt to launch a remarkable career.

His stage work was distinguished, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company and earning acclaim on Broadway. His Tony-nominated performance as Fagin in *Oliver!* showcased his dynamic stage presence.

Revill transitioned seamlessly to film and television, demonstrating incredible versatility. He collaborated with director Billy Wilder on *The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes* (1970) and *Avanti!* (1972), earning a Golden Globe nomination for the latter. His filmography includes diverse roles in *Bunny Lake Is Missing* (1965), *Modesty Blaise* (1966), *The Legend of Hell House* (1973), *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), and many more.

For *Star Wars* fans, Revill holds a unique place as the original voice of Emperor Palpatine in *The Empire Strikes Back*. Although his voice was later replaced by Ian McDiarmid (who portrayed the character physically in subsequent films) in the 2004 DVD release, Revill's initial menacing delivery remains iconic for many who saw the original theatrical run. He recounted fans' strong reactions when he'd reprise the Emperor's line, "There is a great disturbance in the Force."

Beyond *Star Wars*, his voice talents were featured in *Transformers: The Movie* (1986), numerous animated series like *Batman: The Animated Series* (as Alfred Pennyworth), and video games. His television appearances spanned decades, including notable roles in *Columbo*, *Magnum, P.I.*, *Murder, She Wrote*, and *Star Trek: The Next Generation*.

Revill's long and varied career stands as a testament to his skill as a character actor, capable of inhabiting vastly different roles across multiple mediums.

What was Clive Revill most famous for?

While he had a long and varied career, he is widely remembered for being the original voice of Emperor Palpatine in *Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back* and for his Tony-nominated stage roles, including Fagin in *Oliver!*.

Was Clive Revill replaced as the Emperor in Star Wars?

Yes, his voice work for Emperor Palpatine in *The Empire Strikes Back* was replaced by actor Ian McDiarmid's voice in the 2004 DVD release and subsequent versions to maintain continuity, as McDiarmid played the character in later films.

What other notable voice roles did Clive Revill have?

He voiced Alfred Pennyworth in *Batman: The Animated Series*, Kickback in *Transformers: The Movie*, and narrated several Disney features like *Return To Never Land* and *Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas*.

Clive Revill had a remarkably diverse career. What is your favorite role of his, whether on screen, stage, or voice-only? Let us know in the comments!

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