Ian MacDiarmid, whose biography will be described below, considers himself primarily a theater actor, legitimately attributing his personal merit to roles in the plays of William Shakespeare, productions based on the novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky. However, he is familiar to filmgoers primarily the role of Emperor Palpatine in the cult saga Star Wars. Actor Ian McDiarmid took part in all parts of the science fiction epic where his character was involved, including the first George Lucas films shot in the seventies.
early years
The future emperor Palpatine was born in 1944 in the city of Karnousi, in Scotland. He first became acquainted with the world of the theater at the age of five, when his father took him to the play “Tony Morton”, staged in the city of Dundee. The boy was simultaneously frightened and delighted by the theatrical atmosphere, the sparkle of spotlights, vibrant scenery, and costumes of the actors. Already at that moment, Ian McDiarmid decided for himself that he would certainly become his own in this magical kingdom.
However, after graduating from school, Ian did not dare to shock his respectable father with a choice of such activities as dramatic art. The obedient son successfully entered the University of St Andrews in Glasgow, where he studied conscientiously as a psychologist. He left the walls of a reputable educational institution with a master's degree.
Satisfying the pride of his parents, the young man still decided to go to the end and became a student of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Conscientious work and diligence bore fruit - in 1968 he received a gold medal for his excellent studies. According to Ian himself, this has become a worthy reward for years of hard work and incredible self-improvement efforts.
Theatre
Having received the proper education, Ian McDiarmid purposefully began to realize his dream of being a theater actor. Soon he outgrew the level of Scotland and became one of the main objects of hunting from the leading theaters of Great Britain. Ian fulfilled the dream of every drama artist by playing in the immortal play Hamlet. Also on his account, participation in other productions based on the works of William Shakespeare: “The Tempest”, “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The Merchant of Venice”.
In the eighties, he reached such a level that inveterate theater-goers specifically bought tickets for performances with his participation only in order to personally enjoy the acting game of a great master.
Film career
Despite the fact that the authoritative Scot rarely left the stage, the films of Ian McDiarmid also left their contribution to the cinematic culture of Great Britain and the USA. On the big screen, he made his debut in 1976 in the film Likely Lads, noting the role of Vicar. Later, work was followed in the paintings "Richard's Mistress", "Resurrection from the Dead."
To some extent, Ian McDiarmid became decisive in the film “Dragon Slayer”, where he played a small role as Jacobs brother. George Lucas noted the limitless possibilities of a great dramatic actor and invited him to the role of Emperor Palpatine in his film Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi.
His character was the main villain of the film, however, Ian managed to avoid rolling into the operetta caricature and stereotyped character, making his image truly sinister and frightening.
Back in business
Sixteen years after the release of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, Iain McDiarmid once again brought to life the beloved image in George Lucas’s prequel Star Wars. Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ” The actor had to play Emperor Palpatine in his youth, when he began as a simple junior senator and grew to the Supreme Chancellor.
According to Ian, he liked the idea of ​​becoming Palpatine again, and young, full of strength and energy. Here, the Scotsman was given the difficult task of playing two roles: Darth Siris, the sinister alter ego of his hero, and the senator himself, who in public very skillfully created a charming and pleasant image. If in the 1983 film Ian’s screen minutes were clearly not enough for his fair assessment, in “The Phantom Menace” his dramatic talent found recognition in the admired articles of film critics.
In Lucas's early film Star Wars. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back ”the role of Emperor Palpatine was insignificant, so Ian was not distracted from work in the theater, entrusting the stage with his participation to another artist. Nevertheless, in 2004, George Lucas decided to re-shoot some episodes of his saga and invited Ian McDiarmid to play in a short but memorable meeting with Darth Vader.
Work on television
The Scottish artist did not disdain participation in television productions. His first experience in this area was the role in the series "Professionals" of the hit man Mickey Hamilton, who was obsessed with the idea of ​​revenge for the dead wife and child.
The authoritative dramatic actor could not ignore when the BBC channel decided to film the immortal novel of Fedor Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment." Had it been twenty years earlier, he might have gotten the role of Raskolnikov, and so the age-old Ian MacDiarmid, whose photo was adorned by the movie posters, had to play the investigator Porfiry Petrovich.
The actor also noted the role of Denis Thatcher in the television movie Margaret, participation in numerous radio shows and other works.
Producer
Having earned enormous prestige over the years of work in the theater, Ian McDiarmid decided to prove himself as a director. Together with George Kent, he worked for more than ten years at the Almeida Theater in London, noting the staging of such plays as Venice preserved, Hippolytus. In 1998, the theater community of Great Britain awarded both masters with a Special Evening Standard Award for their achievements in dramatic art.