We share with you the sad news that veteran actor and voice artist
Clive Revill has passed away at the age of 94.
While Ian McDiarmid is widely recognized for portraying Emperor Palpatine, it was
Clive Revill who originally voiced the character in the 1980 film
The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars fans may remember the eerie and distinct voice of Palpatine as it first appeared via hologram — and that voice belonged to Revill.
Clive Revill also lent his talents to the role of
Alfred Pennyworth in the earlier episodes of
Batman: The Animated Series, providing a warm but firm voice for Bruce Wayne's loyal butler.
But for us Transformers fans, Clive Revill will forever be remembered as the voice of the scheming Insecticon
Kickback in the original
Transformers G1 cartoon. His portrayal added a sly and cunning tone to the character that made him stand out among the Decepticons.
Born
April 18, 1930, in Wellington, New Zealand, Clive Selsby Revill began his career in theater before transitioning to film and voice work. He trained in London and performed in numerous stage productions, earning
Tony Award nominations for his roles in
Irma La Douce and
Oliver!, where he portrayed Fagin. He was also nominated for a
Golden Globe for his performance in the 1972 film
Avanti!Throughout his career, Revill appeared in dozens of television shows including
Columbo,
The Love Boat,
Murder, She Wrote,
Star Trek: The Next Generation, and many more. His unmistakable voice also featured in a wide range of animated series and video games, making him a true multi-genre legend.
Clive Revill passed away on
March 11, 2025, at a care facility in Sherman Oaks, California, after a struggle with dementia. He leaves behind a legacy that spans stage, screen, and voice work — remembered not just by Transformers fans, but by lovers of genre entertainment everywhere.
May he rest in peace.
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