Clive Revill, an actor from New Zealand who first voiced Emperor Palpatine in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back,” has died at 94. Revill passed away on March 11, 2025, at a care facility in Sherman Oaks, California, after suffering from dementia, as confirmed by his daughter, Kate Revill.
Born on April 18, 1930, in Wellington, New Zealand, Revill initially worked as an accountant before transitioning to acting in his early thirties. His acting career began in 1950 with a stage production of “Twelfth Night,” leading him to London, where he studied at the Old Vic Theatre and participated in several Shakespearean plays.
Revill made his Broadway debut in 1952 in “Mr. Pickwick” at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, formerly the Plymouth Theater. His skills and adaptability earned him recognition, resulting in two Tony Award nominations in the 1960s. He was first nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Bob-Le-Hotu in “Irma La Douce,” and later for Best Actor for his portrayal of Fagin in “Oliver!”
While establishing himself on stage, Revill also pursued a career in film and television. He appeared in the 1957 TV series “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and films like “Kaleidoscope” and “Fathom” with Raquel Welch.
His filmography includes roles in “Otto Preminger’s Bunny Lake Is Missing” (1965), “Jack Smight’s Kaleidoscope” (1966), “The Legend of Hell House” (1973), “Zorro: The Gay Blade” (1981), “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993), and “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” (1995). He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Billy Wilder’s “Avanti!” (1972).
Revill’s notable role in 1980 was voicing the Emperor in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.” According to the Dallas Observer, Revill recorded his iconic line, “There is a great disturbance in the Force,” in just three takes. Although his voice was replaced by Ian McDiarmid’s in the 2004 DVD release, Revill’s contribution remains significant in the franchise.
Revill continued his association with the Star Wars series by voicing characters in video games such as Dodonna in “Star Wars: X-Wing,” an imperial officer in “Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter,” and additional roles in “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” His voice acting extended to other franchises, including “The Hobbit” video game, Alfred in “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992), and Galeo in “Snorks.”
Beyond Star Wars, Revill appeared in numerous television series including “Columbo,” “Hart to Hart,” “Dynasty,” “Remington Steele,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “Newhart,” “MacGyver,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” His versatility allowed him to portray characters from diverse backgrounds throughout his career.
Revill’s personal life was connected to the film industry as well. He was divorced twice and had a daughter, Kate, with his second wife, film producer Suzi Schor-Revill. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Kayla.
Revill’s final film appearance was in 2016’s “The Queen of Spain,” featuring Penélope Cruz, Cary Elwes, and Mandy Patinkin, concluding a remarkable career that spanned seven decades and approximately 200 screen roles.
