Veteran actor Clive Revill, known for his work in theatre, film, and television, has died at the age of 94. He died on March 11 at a care facility in Sherman Oaks after a battle with dementia, his daughter, Kate Revill, confirmed. Revill’s career spanned decades, making him a recognizable name in Broadway, Hollywood, and animated series. He was best known for providing the original voice of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and for his portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series.
Early Life and Transition to Acting
Born Clive Selsby Revill on April 18, 1930, in Wellington, New Zealand, he was the son of Eleanor, a homemaker and opera singer, and Malet Revill, a carpenter. Initially trained as an accountant, Revill found his true calling in acting and made his stage debut in Twelfth Night.
His life changed when he met legendary actor Laurence Olivier and his wife, Vivien Leigh, while they were touring New Zealand. Olivier encouraged him to study acting at the Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol, prompting Revill to move to England in 1950.
Broadway and Shakespearean Theatre Success
Revill’s stage career flourished as he became a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). He performed in several Shakespearean plays, including Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, and The Tempest.
In 1952, he made his Broadway debut in Mr. Pickwick, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. His remarkable performances earned him two Tony Award nominations—one for his role as Bob-Le-Hotu in Irma la Douce (1961) and another for playing Fagin in Oliver! (1963). He continued to shine on Broadway in productions like Sherry! (1967), The Incomparable Max (1971), Sherlock Holmes (1975), and Lolita (1981).
Hollywood and Television Career
Revill’s ability to play a wide range of characters made him a sought-after actor in films and television. He starred in Otto Preminger’s Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) alongside Olivier and Warren Beatty’s Kaleidoscope (1966). He also played dual roles in Modesty Blaise (1966) and starred in the horror film The Legend of Hell House (1973).
In collaboration with director Billy Wilder, Revill appeared in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) and Avanti! (1972), earning a Golden Globe nomination for his role as the besieged hotel manager Carlo.
On television, Revill was a frequent guest star in classic series such as Maude, Hart to Hart, Dynasty, Remington Steele, Murder, She Wrote, Babylon 5, Magnum P.I., MacGyver, Dear John, The Fall Guy, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Original Voice of Emperor Palpatine
One of Revill’s most famous contributions to pop culture was voicing Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). Director Irvin Kershner, who had previously worked with Revill on A Fine Madness (1966), selected him to record Palpatine’s ominous dialogue in a Los Angeles studio.
Though his voice was later replaced in the 2004 DVD release by Ian McDiarmid, Revill’s portrayal remains beloved among Star Wars fans. In a 2015 interview, he recalled fans recognizing his voice and reacting in awe when he repeated his famous line: “There is a great disturbance in the Force.”
Later Career and Final Years
Revill continued to showcase his versatility throughout his career. His filmography includes The Double Man (1967), Fathom (1967), The Assassination Bureau (1969), A Severed Head (1970), The Black Windmill (1974), One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975), Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), and The Queen of Spain (2016).
In addition to Star Wars, he lent his voice to other characters in Star Wars video games and took on the role of Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series (1992).
Personal Life and Legacy
Revill was married twice and had a daughter, Kate, with his second wife. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Kayla.
His extraordinary career, spanning theatre, film, and television, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. From Shakespearean plays to Hollywood films and iconic voice roles, Clive Revill’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike.
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