<P> Sheev Palpatine ( also known by his Sith identity Darth Sidious and publicly as Senator Palpatine , then Supreme Chancellor Palpatine , and later Emperor Palpatine ) 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 Sith master of Darth Vader . In the prequel trilogy , he is portrayed as a middle - aged charismatic Senator from Naboo who uses deception and political manipulation to rise to the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before transforming the Republic into the Empire . </P>
<P> Sheev Palpatine ( also known by his Sith identity Darth Sidious and publicly as Senator Palpatine , then Supreme Chancellor Palpatine , and later Emperor Palpatine ) 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 Sith master of Darth Vader . In the prequel trilogy , he is portrayed as a middle - aged charismatic Senator from Naboo who uses deception and political manipulation to rise to the position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before transforming the Republic into the Empire . </P>
who played the original emperor in star wars
who played the original emperor in star wars
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid