McDiarmid was born in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. He became a theatre aficionado when he was five years old, when his father took him to see an act named Tommy Morgan at a theatre in Dundee. In 2004, he stated, "It sort of fascinated me, and it also scared me. All those lights, all that make-up. I said to myself, 'I don't know what this is, but I want it. McDiarmid was born in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland.

He became a theatre aficionado when he was five years old, when his father took him to see an act named Tommy Morgan at a theatre in Dundee. In 2004, he stated, "It sort of fascinated me, and it also scared me. All those lights, all that make-up. I said to myself, 'I don't know what this is, but I want it.

He was Graduated with Master of Arts (MA) degree in Psychology from University of St. Andrews (Fife, Scotland). 

However, fearing his father's disapproval, McDiarmid attended Queen's College, Dundee (now the University of Dundee, but then a constituent part of the University of St Andrews), where he received a M.A. in psychology. Soon after, he decided to pursue a career in the theatre instead, and took acting training courses at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

Ian McDiarmid is a Scottish actor and director who has a net worth of $10 million. Ian McDiarmid was born in Carnoustie, Scotland, United Kingdom in August 1944. He is best known for starring as Palpatine in the Star Wars movie franchise. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he received a gold medal for his work. McDiarmid has had recurring roles in the TV series The Nation's Health, Karaoke, Touching Evil, Charles II: The Power & the Passion, Elizabeth I, City of Vice, 37 Days, and Utopia.