Clive Selsby Revill (born 18 April 1930) is a New Zealand-born actor whose career spans stage, film, television and voice work. He earned recognition for both on-screen character roles and voice performances that reached wide audiences. Revill's work has included major studio films, literary adaptations and animated television, and he received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Avanti!. He is also known for voicing Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series and for providing the original speaking voice of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (the voice was later redubbed in some subsequent releases).
Early life and background
Revill was born in Wellington, in New Zealand, to British parents and spent much of his upbringing in London, England. His early exposure to theatre and performance in those settings helped shape a versatile career that moved between stage productions and screen roles across several countries.
Career overview and notable roles
Revill established himself in film with memorable supporting parts in comedies and dramas. He is often associated with roles in films such as Avanti!, A Fine Madness and The Assassination Bureau, and he has appeared in adaptations of classic literature, including The Pickwick Papers. His vocal talents brought him to animation and franchise cinema: he portrayed Alfred Pennyworth on the celebrated animated series and supplied the Emperor's voice in the original theatrical release of The Empire Strikes Back, a contribution frequently cited when discussing the casting and post-production history of that character.
Selected credits
- Avanti! — supporting film role (Golden Globe nomination)
- A Fine Madness — film appearance
- The Assassination Bureau — ensemble cast member
- The Pickwick Papers — television/literary adaptation
- Batman: The Animated Series — voice of Alfred Pennyworth (Alfred)
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back — original theatrical voice of the Emperor (Palpatine)
Later life, stage work and personal details
Throughout his career Revill continued to perform on stage as well as screen, maintaining a reputation for precise diction and characterful vocal work. Personal details that have been publicly reported include two marriages — to Valerie Nelson (1970–1977) and to Suzi Schor (1978–1988) — and a daughter, Kate Selsby. In later years he has been based in the United States; he resides in Los Angeles, California.
Revill's career is often noted for the range between stage-trained character acting and distinctive voice performances that became part of popular culture. His Golden Globe nomination and his presence in both classic films and modern franchises make him a figure of continued interest to students of film and voice acting.