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Ian McDiarmid

Birth Place: Carnoustie, SCOTLAND

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STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
West End Premiere, 2014
Lionel

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2006
Teddy


Movies

The Likely Lads
[ 1976 ] Vicar
Richard's Things
[ 1980 ] Burglar
The Awakening
[ 1980 ] Dr. Richter
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
[ 1980 ] Reg Smeeton
Dragonslayer
[ 1981 ] Brother Jacopus
Gorky Park
[ 1983 ] Professor Andreev
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
[ 1983 ] The Emperor
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
[ 1988 ] Arthur
Restoration
[ 1995 ] Ambrose
Sleepy Hollow
[ 1999 ] Doctor Lancter
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
[ 1999 ] Senator Palpatine
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
[ 2002 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
[ 2005 ] Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
The Lost City of Z
[ 2016 ] Sir George Goldie
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
[ 2019 ] Emperor Palpatine

TV Shows

Britannia
King Pellenor
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
[ 2023-2024 ] Emperor Palpatine

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2006 - Performance

Ian McDiarmid, Faith Dealer


winner
Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Ian McDiarmid, Faith Healer


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1998 - Theatrical Achievement

Ian McDiarmid

Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role

Ian McDiarmidTales From Hollywood


winner
Olivier Awards - 1982 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

Ian McDiarmidInsignificance

News


Full Cast and Creative Team Set For MY MASTER BUILDER Starring Ewan McGregor and More
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025

Elizabeth Debicki, Kate Fleetwood, David Ajala, and Mirren Mack join Ewan McGregor to complete the cast of My Master Builder - a new play by American playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek.
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024

This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards; BURLESQUE Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced For The 2024 BWW UK / West End Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 10, 2024

Don't miss your chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favourite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Nottingham Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic, and More Nominated For UK Theatre Awards 2024; Full List!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024

The nominees for this year's UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check out the full list of nominees here!
The T.S. Eliot Lecture 2024 Will Feature Ralph Fiennes
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024

The ninth annual T.S. Eliot Lecture on December 15th at 6pm will feature Ralph Fiennes reading and then discussing his relationship with T.S. Eliot’s poem Four Quartets, marking the 80th anniversary of its first publication as a single volume in 1944. 
Michael Grandage Will Direct Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in the World Première of BACKSTAIRS BILLY
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2023

The world première of Marcelo Dos Santos' new play Backstairs Billy looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.
Full Cast Announced For ORLANDO at the Garrick Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2022

The full company has been announced for Orlando – joining Emma Corrin, in the title role, are Deborah Findlay (Mrs Grimsditch), Jessica Alade (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Debra Baker (Virginia, Favilla, The Captain), Akuc Bol (Virginia, Euphrosyne, Prue), Lucy Briers (Virginia, Queen Elizabeth, Officer), Richard Cant (Virginia, Harriet, Kitty), Melissa Lowe (Virginia, Drunken Tory), Jodie McNee (Virginia, Marmaduke), Oliver Wickham (Virginia, Clorinda), and Millicent Wong (Virginia, Sasha, Nell).
Dates and Venue Announced for ORLANDO Starring Emma Corrin
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Aug 19, 2022

The Michael Grandage Company announced that their production of Orlando opens at the Garrick Theatre on 5 December 2022, with previews from 25 November, and runs until 25 February 2023. 
Michael Grandage Will Direct Emma Corrin in Neil Bartlett's New Version of Virginia Woolf's Novel ORLANDO
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2022

The Michael Grandage Company has announced that Emma Corrin will return to the London stage as the title role in Orlando, from the novel by Virginia Woolf in a new version by Neil Bartlett. Michael Grandage directs, reuniting him with Corrin, following their recent collaboration on the feature film My Policeman for Amazon.
BWW Exclusive: A History of ANNIE on Broadway and Beyond
by Jeffrey Kare - Dec 2, 2021

Tonight, NBC will air its sixth live musical production. Following in the footsteps of The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Hairspray, and Jesus Christ Superstar, the peacock network will be presenting Annie. Based on Harold Gray's comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie, this musical tells the story of a little orphan with equal measures of pluck and positivity who charms everyone's hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in New York City in the year 1933.
Belinda Lang to Direct THE CHILDREN at Salisbury Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 30, 2021

With the UK tour of the world première of Julian Barnes’ The Lemon Table starring Ian McDiarmid and directed by Michael Grandage recently finished, Wiltshire Creative today announced that Belinda Lang will direct a new production of Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children at Salisbury Playhouse in April 2022.
Guest Blog: Madeleine Worrall on THE TEMPEST on BBC Radio 3
by Guest Author - Nov 5, 2021

I don’t know why I’m starting this article with an admission that I had never really been ‘that into Shakespeare’. It is the sort of casual assertion which leaves a ghostly trail of incredulous disappointment upon the face of the poor actor you have annointed your confessor - they will never really respect you again.
BWW Review: THE LEMON TABLE, Salisbury Playhouse
by Cheryl Markosky - Oct 23, 2021

When Booker Prize-winner Julian Barnes saw The Lemon Table early in its world premiere run, he gave his seal of approval to the adaptation of his short stories. A fine accolade for adaptor and star Ian McDiarmid, best known for his role as Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars films, Olivier and Tony award-winning performances, and 12 years as the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director.
Wiltshire Creative Announces Spring 2022 At Salisbury Playhouse And Salisbury Arts Centre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 14, 2021

Following the re-opening of Salisbury Playhouse with John Godber's September in the Rain, and Ian McDiarmid and Michael Grandage in rehearsals for the world première of Julian Barnes' The Lemon Table, Artistic Director Gareth Machin and Executive Director Sebastian Warrack today announce the Spring 2022 season at Wiltshire Creative.
Guest Blog: Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative, On Reopening Salisbury Playhouse
by Guest Author - Sep 28, 2021

In the words of Cosmo Brown, 'Make 'em laugh' - and how life-affirming to hear waves of laughter ripple through Salisbury Playhouse this week. At times over the past few months, the building has felt like a ghost ship, but now it's awake, buzzing and alive with people having a great night out.
Wiltshire Creative Announce Their Autumn 2021 Programme
by Stephi Wild - Aug 2, 2021

Wiltshire Creative today announce their programme for Autumn 2021, featuring theatre, live music, comedy nights, film screenings, craft workshops and more. Throughout the season they will also continue their commitment to engaging communities in the South West and encouraging creativity in audiences of all ages, from an extensive youth arts programme to celebrating older generations.
Ian Kelsey and Nicola Sloane Will Star in Wiltshire Creative's Revival of SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN
by Stephi Wild - Jul 13, 2021

Following the run of September in the Rain, Michael Grandage will direct Ian McDiarmid in Julian Barnes' The Lemon Table from 14 to 23 October, ahead of a UK tour.
Ian McDiarmid Will Star in the World Premiere of Julian Barnes' THE LEMON TABLE in October
by Stephi Wild - Jun 10, 2021

Olivier and Tony Award-winning Ian McDiarmid and Michael Grandage have collaborated to bring The Lemon Table to the stage for the first time. In McDiarmid's one man performance we encounter a spectrum of bitter-sweet pleasures, wild eccentricity and dark secrets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ian McDiarmid been in?

Ian McDiarmid has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Ian McDiarmid been in?

Ian McDiarmid has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Ian McDiarmid's first West End show?

Ian McDiarmid's first West End show was Bakersfield Mist which opened in 2014

What awards has Ian McDiarmid been nominated for?

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Faith Healer , Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Faith Dealer, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Faith Healer, Theatrical Achievement (Evening Standard Awards), Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Tales From Hollywood and Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Insignificance.

What awards has Ian McDiarmid won?

Ian McDiarmid has won several prestigious awards, including the Theatre World Award for Performance for his role in Faith Dealer. He received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his work in Faith Healer. Additionally, he was honored with the Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Achievement and the Olivier Award for Actor of the Year in a New Play for his performance in Insignificance.

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