Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmidis a Olivier and Tony award-winning Scottish character actor and director. He has appeared in 47 films since 1976. Internationally, he is most famous for his role as Palpatine in the Star Wars film series...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth11 August 1944
CityCarnoustie, Scotland
consistency important film
Consistency is very important when you're making films.
artist kind possibility
If you're any kind of artist, you've got to ... keep opening yourself to new possibilities.
laughing done serious
Serious work gets done ... in congenial surroundings, which tend to make you laugh.
character play years
To start your life as a character of 120 years when you are in your late thirties, and then go back in time about 20 years later to play the same character who is your own age then, its very complicated, but very interesting.
numbers people brilliant
There were a number of people who helped me get there, and the one I always mention is Michael Byrne, the great master swordsman and brilliant stunt double.
art trying opera
I've been trying to find a redeeming feature to Palpatine, and the only one I've got so far is that he's clearly a patron of the arts because he goes to the opera.
opportunity thinking people
I think the greatest thing about being an actor is that you can become other people. ... You have the opportunity to explore ... alternative ways of living for a brief time.