Ian McDiarmid

thumb|Ian McDiarmid 2013 Ian McDiarmid (born 11 August 1944) is an Olivier and Tony award-winning British character actor and director. Quotes 2002 There's a moment in one scene of the new film where tears almost appear in his eye. These are crocodile tears, but for all those in the movie, and perhaps watching the movie itself, they'll see he is apparently moved -- and of course, he is. He can just do it. He can, as it were, turn it on. And I suppose for him, it's also a bit of a turn-on -- the pure exercise of power is what he's all about. That's the only thing he's interested in and the only thing that can satisfy him -- which makes him completely fascinating to play, because it is an evil soul. 24 January 2002 article on StarWars.com Ian McDiarmid: Dark Force Rising regarding playing Sheev Palpatine (Darth Sidious) in Attack of the Clones 2005 To have been chosen when you're in your thirties to play someone who's 120, and then to find when you were in your early fifties you were going to play the same character at your then-age, that is, in your early fifties, in fact I don't think I've come out of the trauma. But the interesting think about that it's an absolutely unique challenge for an actor; I can't think of anyone who's been asked to do that, or indeed been given the opportunity, and I'll always be grateful for that. 12 October 2005 article on IGN by Todd Gilchrist Interview: Ian McDiarmid External links Category:Actors from Scotland Category:Theatre directors Category:Atheists Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Tony Award winners Category:Theatre World Award winners Category:Laurence Olivier Award winners Category:University of St. Andrews alumni