Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1944-08-11
- Born Place: Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK
Also Known As:
Иен Макдермид
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish actor and director, best known for his iconic role as Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious in the Star Wars franchise. Born on August 11, 1944, in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland, McDiarmid initially studied psychology before pursuing acting at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He built a distinguished career in theatre, particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company and London’s Almeida Theatre, where he served as co-artistic director. McDiarmid gained international fame when he first portrayed Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi (1983), a role he reprised in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and again in The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Renowned for his commanding presence and sinister portrayal of one of cinema’s most memorable villains, McDiarmid is also celebrated for his extensive work in classical theatre, blending a rich dramatic background with mainstream blockbuster success.
