Emperor Palapatine

**Sheev Palpatine** is a fictional character in the *Star Wars* franchise, created by George Lucas. Initially credited as **The Emperor** in the 1980 film *The Empire Strikes Back*, he is also known by his Sith name **Darth Sidious**.

 Ian McDiarmid as The Emperor in
 First appearance
 Created by
 Portrayed by
 Voiced by
* Ian McDiarmid (*Rebels*, Season 2 since 2019, Season 4, *Star Wars: The Clone Wars*, Season 7; archive audio, *Star Wars: The Bad Batch*; archive audio)
* Sam Witwer (*Rebels*, Season 2 until 2019, *Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga*)
* Ian Abercrombie (*The Clone Wars* film and TV series, Seasons 1–6)
* Tim Curry (*The Clone Wars*, Seasons 5–6)
* Nick Jameson (*Clone Wars*)
 Full name
 Alias
 Species
 Gender
 Occupation
* Senator from Naboo
* Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic
* Emperor of the Galactic Empire
* Mastermind of the First Order
 Affiliation
* Galactic Republic
* Confederacy of Independent Systems
* Galactic Empire
* First Order
* Final Order
 Family
 Religion
 Master
 Apprentice
Count Dooku
Darth Vader
 Creation
 Homeworld

The character appears in each trilogy in the nine-film Skywalker saga, in which he is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid and serves as the primary antagonist. In the original trilogy, Palpatine is depicted as Emperor of the Galactic Empire and the master of Darth Vader. In the prequel trilogy, he is portrayed as a charismatic politician—and, secretly, a Sith Lord—who orchestrates the Clone Wars, all but exterminates the Jedi Order, ends the Galactic Republic, and seduces Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker to the dark side of the Force. In *The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), the final film in the sequel trilogy, Palpatine is revealed to be the mastermind behind the First Order and the creator of its former leader, Snoke, as well as the grandfather of protagonist Rey.

Since the release of *Return of the Jedi* in 1983, Palpatine has become a widely recognized symbol of evil in popular culture, and since the prequel films, also one of sinister deception and the subversion of democracy. Aside from the films, Palpatine appears in various canon and non-canon *Star Wars* media.

## Character overview

Palpatine initially is a Senator from Naboo, presenting himself to the public as charismatic and well-intentioned. However, he is really **Darth Sidious**, a Dark Lord of the Sith who plans to destroy the Jedi and take permanent control of the galaxy. As Sidious, Palpatine engineers the invasion of Naboo, using the conflict to get elected as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. He further masterminds the Clone Wars to grant himself dictatorial emergency powers and stay in office long after his term expires.

Palpatine proceeds to almost entirely exterminate the Jedi through Order 66, and manipulate Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into becoming his new apprentice, Darth Vader. He transforms the Galactic Republic into the Empire and declares himself Emperor, using Machiavellian manipulation to invoke martial law. Palpatine rules the galaxy for over two decades before Vader betrays and kills him to save his son, Luke Skywalker.

Unbeknownst to the galaxy, Palpatine's spirit lives on. He secretly masterminds the First Order to restore the Empire, with Snoke as his puppet ruler. Having covertly turned Kylo Ren—Anakin's grandson and Luke's nephew—to the dark side, Palpatine orders Ren to find and kill Rey, the last remaining Jedi and Palpatine's paternal granddaughter. Palpatine uses the dark side to rejuvenate his body, but is ultimately defeated and destroyed by Rey.