<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Actor, theatre director </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1968--present </Td> </Tr> <P> Ian McDiarmid (/ məkˈdɜːrmɪd /; born 11 August 1944) is an Olivier and Tony award - winning British 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 . </P> <P> McDiarmid was born in Carnoustie, Scotland . He became a theatre aficionado when he was five years old, when his father took him to see an act named Tommy Morgan at a theatre in Dundee . In 2004, he stated, "It sort of fascinated me, and it also scared me . All those lights, all that make - up . I said to myself,' I don't know what this is, but I want it ."' However, fearing his father's disapproval, McDiarmid attended Queens College, Dundee, part of the University of St Andrews, where he received an M.A. in psychology . Soon after, he decided to pursue a career in the theatre instead, and took acting training courses at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow . In 1968, McDiarmid received a gold medal for his work, the first of many recognitions given to him for his work in the theatre . McDiarmid claimed he became its recipient "by doing all the boring jobs you have to do when you are young, to eke out an existence ." </P>

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