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The British-Reeland actor Clive Revill, who became known as the first voice of the imperator Palpatine in the “Star Wars” universe, died on March 11, 2025 at the age of 94. He died in a care facility in Los Angeles, as his daughter Kate confirmed to the “Hollywood Reporter”. Revill last suffered from dementia.
Revill wrote film history with his distinctive voice in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Baths” (1980). In an iconic scene, he spoke the imperator Palpatine, who communicates as a hologram with Darth Vader (spoken by James Earl Jones). This short but important role gave the dark head of the Galactic Empire a voice for the first time. A voice that is still unforgettable for many fans.
In later publications-including the DVD version of 2004-Revill’s contribution was replaced by the actor Ian McDiambid, who also physically embodied palatins in the later films. Revill took this calmly. “I was the original imperator. But they wanted continuity with the later films. McDiharmid was a good choice,” he said in an interview in 2015.
“If fans meet me, I ask you to close my eyes”
He was very happy to see the role of the imperator, as Revill said in retrospect. “Director Irvin Kershner called me. We had previously worked together at A Fine Madness. And he said he needed a cold, emotionless voice for a holographic appearance.” Revill tried different variants and decided on an ice -cold tone. With great effect: “When fans meet me, I ask you to close my eyes. Then I say softly: ‘There is a great shock of power.’ Some are pale.
But Clive Revill was much more than just the voice of an intergalactic villain. In his decades of career, he participated in over 150 film and television productions. He was estimated in the films by Hine -Legende Billy Wilder, such as “The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes” (1970) and “Avanti!” (1972). The latter earned him a golden globe nomination.
Revill also set accents in the animation area. In 1992 he lent his voice to the loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth in “Batman: The Animated Series”. In addition to the screen, Revill was also an actor on the theater stage. He was on stage seven times on Broadway and was nominated twice for Tony Award.
Clive Revill is survived by his daughter Kate and his granddaughter Kayla.