Portrait of Ian McDiarmid

Ian McDiarmid

Bio: Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish actor and director best known for portraying Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars film series. He has received an Olivier Award for Best Actor and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performances
Born: Fri, Aug 11 1944
Birthplace: Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK
Ian McDiarmid is 79 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
Ian McDiarmid was
78 in Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
as 'Self - Emperor Palpatine'.
Thu, Sep 08 2022
Poster of The Skywalker Legacy
The Skywalker Legacy
Ian McDiarmid was
75 in The Skywalker Legacy
as 'Self'.
Wed, Mar 18 2020
Poster of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid was
75 in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
as 'Emperor Palpatine'.
Wed, Dec 18 2019
Poster of The Lost City of Z
The Lost City of Z
Ian McDiarmid was
72 in The Lost City of Z
as 'Sir George Goldie'.
Wed, Mar 15 2017
Poster of Star Wars: Greatest Moments
Star Wars: Greatest Moments
Ian McDiarmid was
71 in Star Wars: Greatest Moments
as 'Self'.
Sat, Dec 26 2015
Poster of Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel
Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel
Ian McDiarmid was
71 in Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel
as 'Self'.
Tue, Dec 15 2015
Poster of Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal
Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal
Ian McDiarmid was
70 in Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal
as 'Emperor Palpatine (voice)'.
Sat, Apr 18 2015
Poster of Angry Birds Star Wars II: Join the Pork Side
Angry Birds Star Wars II: Join the Pork Side
Ian McDiarmid was
69 in Angry Birds Star Wars II: Join the Pork Side
as 'The Emperor'.
Fri, Aug 23 2013
Poster of The Odds
The Odds
Ian McDiarmid was
65 in The Odds
Tue, Oct 20 2009
Poster of Margaret
Margaret
Ian McDiarmid was
64 in Margaret
as 'Denis Thatcher'.
Thu, Mar 26 2009
Poster of Our Hidden Lives
Our Hidden Lives
Ian McDiarmid was
61 in Our Hidden Lives
as 'B. Charles'.
Mon, Oct 03 2005
Poster of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Ian McDiarmid was
60 in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
as 'Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious'.
Tue, May 17 2005
Poster of Star Wars: A Musical Journey
Star Wars: A Musical Journey
Ian McDiarmid was
60 in Star Wars: A Musical Journey
as 'Host'.
Tue, May 03 2005
Poster of The Story of Star Wars
The Story of Star Wars
Ian McDiarmid was
60 in The Story of Star Wars
as 'Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage)'.
Wed, Aug 18 2004
Poster of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Ian McDiarmid was
57 in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
as 'Chancellor Palpatine'.
Wed, May 15 2002
Poster of Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment
Ian McDiarmid was
57 in Crime and Punishment
as 'Porfiry'.
Tue, Feb 12 2002
Poster of The Beginning: Making 'Episode I'
The Beginning: Making 'Episode I'
Ian McDiarmid was
57 in The Beginning: Making 'Episode I'
as 'Self'.
Tue, Oct 16 2001
Poster of Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend
Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend
Ian McDiarmid was
55 in Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend
as 'Self'.
Tue, May 23 2000
Poster of Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow
Ian McDiarmid was
55 in Sleepy Hollow
as 'Dr. Lancaster'.
Fri, Nov 19 1999
Poster of All the King's Men
All the King's Men
Ian McDiarmid was
55 in All the King's Men
as 'Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards'.
Sun, Nov 14 1999
Poster of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception
Ian McDiarmid was
55 in The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception
as 'Prof. Levi'.
Sun, Oct 31 1999
Poster of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Ian McDiarmid was
54 in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
as 'Senator Palpatine'.
Wed, May 19 1999
Poster of Great Expectations
Great Expectations
Ian McDiarmid was
54 in Great Expectations
as 'Jaggers'.
Mon, Apr 12 1999
Poster of Hillsborough
Hillsborough
Ian McDiarmid was
52 in Hillsborough
as 'Doctor Popper, Coroner'.
Wed, Sep 11 1996
Poster of Restoration
Restoration
Ian McDiarmid was
51 in Restoration
as 'Ambrose'.
Fri, Dec 29 1995
Poster of Annie: A Royal Adventure
Annie: A Royal Adventure
Ian McDiarmid was
51 in Annie: A Royal Adventure
as 'Dr. Eli Eon'.
Sat, Nov 18 1995
Poster of Heart of Darkness
Heart of Darkness
Ian McDiarmid was
49 in Heart of Darkness
as 'Doctor'.
Fri, Oct 01 1993
Poster of Chernobyl: The Final Warning
Chernobyl: The Final Warning
Ian McDiarmid was
46 in Chernobyl: The Final Warning
as 'Dr. Vatisenko'.
Mon, Apr 22 1991
Poster of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Ian McDiarmid was
44 in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
as 'Arthur'.
Wed, Dec 14 1988
Poster of Gorky Park
Gorky Park
Ian McDiarmid was
39 in Gorky Park
as 'Prof. Andreev'.
Thu, Dec 15 1983
Poster of Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi
Ian McDiarmid was
38 in Return of the Jedi
as 'The Emperor'.
Wed, May 25 1983
Poster of Last Night Another Dissident...
Last Night Another Dissident...
Ian McDiarmid was
36 in Last Night Another Dissident...
as 'Fedka'.
Wed, Jul 01 1981
Poster of Dragonslayer
Dragonslayer
Ian McDiarmid was
36 in Dragonslayer
as 'Brother Jacopus'.
Fri, Jun 26 1981
Poster of Richard's Things
Richard's Things
Ian McDiarmid was
36 in Richard's Things
as 'Burglar'.
Fri, Dec 26 1980
Poster of Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
Ian McDiarmid was
36 in Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
as 'Reg Smeeton'.
Fri, Nov 07 1980
Poster of The Awakening
The Awakening
Ian McDiarmid was
35 in The Awakening
as 'Dr. Richter'.
Wed, Jul 09 1980
Poster of Macbeth
Macbeth
Ian McDiarmid was
34 in Macbeth
as 'The Porter / Ross'.
Fri, Feb 02 1979
Poster of Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Ian McDiarmid was
31 in Amazing Stories
as 'Blade'.
Sun, Feb 01 1976
Poster of The Likely Lads
The Likely Lads
Ian McDiarmid was
31 in The Likely Lads
as 'Vicar'.
Sun, Feb 01 1976

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
Ian McDiarmid was
78+ in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi
as 'Darth Sidious (voice)'.
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 26 2022
Poster of Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Ian McDiarmid was
77+ in Obi-Wan Kenobi
as 'Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious'.
First Air Date
Thu, May 26 2022
Poster of Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Ian McDiarmid was
76+ in Star Wars: The Bad Batch
as 'Darth Sidious / Emperor Palpatine (voice), Emperor Palpatine (voice)'.
First Air Date
Tue, May 04 2021
Poster of Britannia
Britannia
Ian McDiarmid was
73+ in Britannia
as 'King Pellenor'.
First Air Date
Thu, Jan 18 2018
Poster of Star Wars Rebels
Star Wars Rebels
Ian McDiarmid was
70+ in Star Wars Rebels
as 'Emperor Palpatine, Emperor Palpatine (voice)'.
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 13 2014
Poster of 37 Days
37 Days
Ian McDiarmid was
69+ in 37 Days
as 'Sir Edward Grey'.
First Air Date
Thu, Mar 06 2014
Poster of Utopia
Utopia
Ian McDiarmid was
68+ in Utopia
as 'Anton'.
First Air Date
Tue, Jan 15 2013
Poster of Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Ian McDiarmid was
64+ in Star Wars: The Clone Wars
as 'Darth Sidious (voice) (archive sound)'.
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 03 2008
Poster of City of Vice
City of Vice
Ian McDiarmid was
63+ in City of Vice
as 'Henry Fielding'.
First Air Date
Mon, Jan 14 2008
Poster of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I
Ian McDiarmid was
61+ in Elizabeth I
as 'Lord Burghley'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 29 2005
Poster of Charles II: The Power and The Passion
Charles II: The Power and The Passion
Ian McDiarmid was
59+ in Charles II: The Power and The Passion
as 'Sir Edward Hyde'.
First Air Date
Sun, Nov 16 2003
Poster of Spooks
Spooks
Ian McDiarmid was
57+ in Spooks
as 'Prof. Fred Roberts'.
First Air Date
Mon, May 13 2002
Poster of Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment
Ian McDiarmid was
57+ in Crime and Punishment
as 'Porfiry'.
First Air Date
Tue, Feb 12 2002
Poster of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones
Ian McDiarmid was
57+ in The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones
as 'Professor Jacques Levi'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 13 2002
Poster of Karaoke
Karaoke
Ian McDiarmid was
51+ in Karaoke
as 'Oliver Morse'.
First Air Date
Sun, Apr 28 1996
Poster of The Modern World: Ten Great Writers
The Modern World: Ten Great Writers
Ian McDiarmid was
43+ in The Modern World: Ten Great Writers
as 'Dostoevsky'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 10 1988
Poster of Inspector Morse
Inspector Morse
Ian McDiarmid was
42+ in Inspector Morse
as 'Hugo De Vries'.
First Air Date
Tue, Jan 06 1987
Poster of The Nation's Health
The Nation's Health
Ian McDiarmid was
39+ in The Nation's Health
as 'Dr Vernon Davis'.
First Air Date
Thu, Oct 06 1983
Poster of The Professionals
The Professionals
Ian McDiarmid was
33+ in The Professionals
as 'Mickey Hamilton'.
First Air Date
Fri, Dec 30 1977