Sam Witwer
A character actor whose intense performances gave voice to some of science fiction's most tortured villains and complex heroes.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American actor·Birthday: October 20·Generation X
Biography
Sam Witwer has built a formidable career as the go-to actor for roles demanding a blend of physical intensity and deep vulnerability. After early television work, he broke through as the doomed pilot Crashdown in the reimagined 'Battlestar Galactica,' a role that showcased his ability to convey fraying nerves under pressure. He became a fixture in genre television, playing everything from a conflicted werewolf in 'Being Human' to a sinister Kryptonian-hating human in 'Supergirl.' Yet, his most significant impact is arguably in voice acting, where he has provided the performance and likeness for Starkiller in the 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' games and, most notably, has voiced Emperor Palpatine across multiple 'Star Wars' animated series and video games for over a decade, becoming the definitive sound of the character for a new generation.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Sam was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Sam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Sam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Voiced Emperor Palpatine in the 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' and 'Star Wars Rebels' animated series, among other projects.
- Portrayed the lead role of Aidan Waite in the North American adaptation of the supernatural series 'Being Human'.
- Played the pivotal role of Galen Marek / Starkiller, providing both voice and likeness, in the 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' video games.
- Appeared as the tragic Cylon pilot Crashdown in the critically acclaimed series 'Battlestar Galactica'.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished musician and has composed and performed music for some of his projects.
He is a dedicated 'Star Wars' fan and has an extensive knowledge of the franchise's lore.
He provided additional voices for the video game 'Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order'.
“The best characters are the ones who are deeply, tragically human.”
