Ian McDiarmid - Ian McDiarmid is a Tony Award-winning Scottish actor born in Carnoustie. He has had a successful career in theatre; he has been cast in many plays, while occasionally directing others. From 1990 until 2001, he served with Jonathan Kent as artistic director of the now prestigious Almeida Theatre, thanks largely to both their efforts.
Although McDiarmid has appeared mostly in theatrical productions, he has also accepted roles in theatrical films and TV movies. Worldwide, he is most famous for his role as Palpatine in both the original and prequel Star Wars trilogies.
The Oxonian Society presents An Evening with Ian McDiarmid.
Known to hundreds of millions of Star Wars fans as the scabby and nefarious Emperor Palpatine, Scottish actor Ian McDiarmid has also built an impressive career in the theater. McDiarmid won the Tony award for best actor on Broadway for his astonishing performance in Faith Healer.
A few times in his normal speaking voice you could hear him almost slipping into "The Emperor" subconsciously. He does it when he mentions Nixon and every time he says "for me."