Ian McDiarmid

August 11, 1944 (age 82) Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK

Ian McDiarmid (born 11 August 1944) 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. Wikipedia

His titles like Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and Return of the Jedi - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 18, 2026

Watched: 0/37

Weighted avg: 6.60 /10

1

1

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

2005May 2005 by George Lucas

Supporting as Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious

Supporting as Chancellor Palpatine / Darth Sidious

7.11 Good++
2

2

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

1999May 1999 by George Lucas

Supporting as Senator Palpatine

Supporting as Senator Palpatine

6.13 Good--
3

3

Return of the Jedi

1983May 1983 by Richard Marquand

Supporting as The Emperor

Supporting as The Emperor

7.60 Excellent-
4

4

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

2002May 2002 by George Lucas

Supporting as Chancellor Palpatine

Supporting as Chancellor Palpatine

6.15 Good--
5

5

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

2019December 2019 by J.J. Abrams

Minor role as Emperor Palpatine

Minor role as Emperor Palpatine

5.78 Okay+
6

6

Sleepy Hollow

1999November 1999 by Tim Burton

Supporting as Dr. Lancaster

Supporting as Dr. Lancaster

6.80 Good+
7

7

The Lost City of Z

2017March 2017 by James Gray

Supporting as Sir George Goldie

Supporting as Sir George Goldie

5.92 Okay++
8

8

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

1988December 1988 by Frank Oz

Supporting as Arthur

Supporting as Arthur

6.66 Good
9

9

Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return

2022September 2022 by David Gelb

Minor role as Self - Emperor Palpatine

Minor role as Self - Emperor Palpatine

6.35 Good-
10

10

Gorky Park

1983December 1983 by Michael Apted

Minor role as Professor Andreev

Minor role as Professor Andreev

5.86 Okay+
11

11

Dragonslayer

1981June 1981 by Matthew Robbins

Minor role as Brother Jacopus

Minor role as Brother Jacopus

6.10 Okay++
12

12

Britannia

2018–2021 by Jez Butterworth

Minor role as King Pellenor

Minor role as King Pellenor

5.92 Okay++
13

13

Restoration

1995December 1995 by Michael Hoffman

Supporting as Ambrose

Supporting as Ambrose

5.71 Okay+
14

14

The Awakening

1980July 1980 by Mike Newell

Supporting as Dr. Richter

Supporting as Dr. Richter

5.30 Okay-
15

15

Annie: A Royal Adventure

1995November 1995 by Ian Toynton

Supporting as Dr. Eli Eon

Supporting as Dr. Eli Eon

5.74 Okay+
16

16

Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal

2015April 2015 by Bosco Ng

Minor role as Emperor Palpatine (voice)

Minor role as Emperor Palpatine (voice)

7.07 Good++
17

17

Star Wars: A Musical Journey

2005May 2005 by Tippy Bushkin

Lead role as Host

Lead role as Host

6.18 Good--
18

18

Crime and Punishment

2002February 2002 by Julian Jarrold

Starring as Porfiry

Starring as Porfiry

6.08 Okay++
19

19

The Skywalker Legacy

2020March 2020 by Debs Paterson

Minor role as Self

Minor role as Self

6.71 Good
20

20

The Beginning: The Making of Star Wars Episode I

2001October 2001 by Jon Shenk

Minor role as Self

Minor role as Self

6.34 Good-
21

21

Sleepy Hollow: Behind the Legend

2000May 2000 by Toby Reisz

Minor role as Self

Minor role as Self

6.31 Good--
22

22

Heart of Darkness

1994March 1994 by Nicolas Roeg

Minor role as Doctor

Minor role as Doctor

5.69 Okay+
23

23

Star Wars: Greatest Moments

2015December 2015 by Tim Postins

Minor role as Self

Minor role as Self

6.28 Good--
24

24

The Story of Star Wars

2004August 2004 by Sam Hurwitz

Minor role as Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage)

Minor role as Palpatine/The Emperor (archive footage)

6.25 Good--
25

25

37 Days

2014

Supporting as Sir Edward Grey

Supporting as Sir Edward Grey

6.19 Good--
26

26

Great Expectations

1999April 1999 by Julian Jarrold

Minor role as Jaggers

Minor role as Jaggers

5.98 Okay++
27

27

Chernobyl: The Final Warning

1991April 1991 by Anthony Page

Supporting as Dr. Vatisenko

Supporting as Dr. Vatisenko

5.84 Okay+
28

28

Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel

2015December 2015 by Martin Khodabakhshian

Supporting as Self

Supporting as Self

5.97 Okay++
29

29

Hillsborough

1996September 1996 by Charles McDougall

Minor role as Doctor Popper, Coroner

Minor role as Doctor Popper, Coroner

6.24 Good--
30

30

Margaret

2009March 2009 by James Kent

Starring as Denis Thatcher

Starring as Denis Thatcher

Needs more reviews
31

31

The Likely Lads

1976February 1976 by Michael Tuchner

Minor role as Vicar

Minor role as Vicar

5.95 Okay++
32

32

All the King's Men

1999November 1999 by Julian Jarrold

Minor role as Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards

Minor role as Rev. Pierrepoint Edwards

5.95 Okay++
33

33

Macbeth

1979February 1979 by Philip Casson

Minor role as The Porter / Ross

Minor role as The Porter / Ross

6.21 Good--
34

34

Sir Henry at Rawlinson End

1980November 1980 by Steve Roberts

Minor role as Reg Smeeton

Minor role as Reg Smeeton

6.12 Good--
35

35

Richard's Things

1980December 1980 by Anthony Harvey

Minor role as Burglar

Minor role as Burglar

5.68 Okay+
36

36

City of Vice

2008

Starring as Henry Fielding

Starring as Henry Fielding

Needs more reviews
37

37

Our Hidden Lives

2005October 2005 by Michael Samuels

Supporting as B. Charles

Supporting as B. Charles

Needs more reviews