<P> Sheev Palpatine , also known as Darth Sidious and The Emperor , is a fictional character and one of the primary antagonists of the Star Wars franchise , mainly portrayed by Ian McDiarmid . In the original trilogy , he is depicted as the aged , pale - faced and cloaked Emperor of the Galactic Empire and the master of Darth Vader . In the prequel trilogy , he is portrayed as a charismatic Senator from Naboo who uses deception and political manipulation to rise to the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic , and then reorganizes the Republic into the Galactic Empire , with himself as Emperor . </P>
<P> Sheev Palpatine , also known as Darth Sidious and The Emperor , is a fictional character and one of the primary antagonists of the Star Wars franchise , mainly portrayed by Ian McDiarmid . In the original trilogy , he is depicted as the aged , pale - faced and cloaked Emperor of the Galactic Empire and the master of Darth Vader . In the prequel trilogy , he is portrayed as a charismatic Senator from Naboo who uses deception and political manipulation to rise to the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic , and then reorganizes the Republic into the Galactic Empire , with himself as Emperor . </P>
who played the emperor in the original star wars
who played the emperor in the original star wars
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid