Sheev Palpatine
Emperor of the Galactic Empire, Dark Lord of the Sith
Emperor of the Galactic Empire, whose true identity is the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. The greatest villain in the Star Wars series.
Quotes
- Unlimited power!
- I am all the Sith!
- Do not underestimate the power of the Emperor
- This is treason
- The Emperor does not die
Trivia
- Darth Sidious is known as the greatest villain in the Star Wars series and appears in many works.
- His Force Lightning is iconic, unleashing pale blue electric shocks from both hands to attack enemies.
- Ian McDiarmid, who plays Palpatine in live-action, is a stage actor who has portrayed the role for over 25 years.
- Palpatine dominated the galaxy through political intrigue and immense Force powers.
- It was revealed in the films that Snoke is his created puppet.
- His final line is 'I am all the Sith!'
Alternate names
Darth Sidious
Emperor Palpatine
Emperor Darth Sidious
Emperor Sidious
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
- Birth year
- Approximately late 1950s [estimated]
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- Somewhat elderly male. Ugly distorted face and yellow eyes, dignified figure wrapped in dim robes. Face disfigured ugly by Force Lightning.
- Height
- Approximately 180cm
- Eye color
- Yellow
- Hair color
- Silver
- Distinguishing features
-
- Ugly distorted face
- Yellow eyes
- Sometimes uses a staff
- Iconic items
-
- Force Lightning
- Red Sith Lightsaber
- Emperor Robe
- Supreme Chancellor's Senatorial Robe
- Life Support Device (later period)
- Black Sith Robe
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Cunning
- Detailed personality
- Ruthless and merciless with extraordinary patience and political acumen. Wears a mask of benevolence while dominating the galaxy from the shadows and exterminating the Jedi. Strong desire for power and inclination toward rule by fear.
- Keywords
-
- Cunning
- Ruthless
- Calculating
- Patient
- Power-hungry
- Overwhelming charisma
- Rule by fear
- Excellent tactician
- Motto
- I am all the Sith!
- Talents
-
- Talent for mastering the dark side of the Force
- Exceptional political scheming
- High combat ability
- Manipulation of people through influence
- Acumen to manipulate the Clone Wars
- Handling of Force Lightning
- High eloquence
- Skills
-
- Lightsaber combat (advanced)
- Force precognition
- Mind trick
- Strategic planning
- Covert operations
- Clone control
- All dark side Force techniques
- Motivation
- To exterminate the Jedi, achieve Sith domination of the galaxy, and seize absolute power.
- Habits
- Often smiles while hiding his face with his hand. Emits strange yells when unleashing Force Lightning.
- Favorite foods
- unknown
- Favorite places
- Planet Naboo, Planet Exegol
- Favorite colors
- Black, Red
- Disliked situations
- Jedi resistance, Rebel activities
History
- Backstory
- Wealthy native of Naboo who served as a politician in public while secretly operating as the young Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Rose from Galactic Republic Senator to Supreme Chancellor, orchestrated the Clone Wars through self-manipulation, used the chaos to become Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Ruled the galaxy through terror for a long time. Thought to have died in the Battle of Endor but secretly survived, revived on Exegol. Aimed to restore the Sith by manipulating the First Order, but was defeated by his granddaughter Rey.
- Debut date
- May 21, 1980
- Work title
- Star Wars Episode V/The Empire Strikes Back
- Media type
- Movie
Election as Supreme Chancellor
- Significant event
- Election as Supreme Chancellor
- Description
- Used the Naboo crisis to become Supreme Chancellor, aiming to ignite the Clone Wars and seize emergency powers.
Start of the Clone Wars
- Significant event
- Start of the Clone Wars
- Description
- Pitted the Separatists' military against the Republic, using the chaos to strengthen his own power.
Ascension as Galactic Empire Emperor
- Significant event
- Ascension as Galactic Empire Emperor
- Description
- Dissolved the Galactic Republic, established the Galactic Empire, and crowned himself Emperor. Annihilated the Jedi and established rule by fear.
Defeat at the Battle of Endor
- Significant event
- Defeat at the Battle of Endor
- Description
- Betrayed by his son Darth Vader, presumed dead but secretly survived.
Revival and First Order Formation
- Significant event
- Revival and First Order Formation
- Description
- Transferred his soul to a clone body on Exegol, manipulated the First Order to revive his galactic domination ambitions, and was ultimately defeated by Rey.
Relationships
Rey
Granddaughter
The only known blood relative. Rey is his granddaughter.
Darth Vader
Apprentice
Corrupted Anakin to the dark side as his apprentice and placed immense trust in him.
Count Dooku
Apprentice
Treated as second apprentice and used during the Clone Wars.
Snoke
Puppet
Created as a puppet for the First Order.
Sith
Sith: leader
Galactic Empire
Galactic Empire: leader
First Order
First Order: strategist
Sith Eternal
Sith Eternal: leader
Media appearances
Star Wars Episode V/The Empire Strikes Back
Movie / Supporting
1980 theatrical release
Star Wars Episode VI/Return of the Jedi
Movie / Protagonist
1983 theatrical release
Star Wars Episode I/The Phantom Menace
Movie / Supporting
1999 theatrical release
Star Wars Episode II/Attack of the Clones
Movie / Supporting
2002 theatrical release
Star Wars Episode III/Revenge of the Sith
Movie / Protagonist
2005 theatrical release
Star Wars Episode IX/The Rise of Skywalker
Movie / Protagonist
2019 theatrical release
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Anime / Supporting
2008-2020 TV anime series
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Game / Supporting
2008
Voice cast and creators
Ian McDiarmid
- Voice actor
- Ian McDiarmid
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Theatrical versions (all works from 1983 onwards)
- Notes
- Live-action lead actor and stage performer
Nick Jameson
- Voice actor
- Nick Jameson
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Clone Wars and early games
Ian Abercrombie
- Voice actor
- Ian Abercrombie
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Clone Wars anime mid-period
- Notes
- Died 2012
Tim Curry
- Voice actor
- Tim Curry
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Clone Wars anime late period
Sam Witwer
- Voice actor
- Sam Witwer
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- Games and Rebels anime
Trevor Devall
- Voice actor
- Trevor Devall
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- LEGO series
George Lucas
- Creator name
- George Lucas
- Role
- Original author
Ralph McQuarrie
- Creator name
- Ralph McQuarrie
- Role
- Character designer
Lucasfilm Animation
- Creator name
- Lucasfilm Animation
- Role
- Animation studio
Lucasfilm
- Creator name
- Lucasfilm
- Role
- Publisher
The Walt Disney Company
- Creator name
- The Walt Disney Company
- Role
- Licensee
Related goods
Action Figure
- Item name
- Action Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Plush Doll
- Item name
- Plush Doll
- Category
- Plush or doll
- Availability
- Regular
Stationery Set
- Item name
- Stationery Set
- Category
- Stationery
- Availability
- Limited