Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin (c. 60 BBY - 0 ABY) is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed in the film Star Wars by the British actor Peter Cushing.

A native of the planet Eriadu, Tarkin was known to be a cold-blooded killer. A few years after the formation of the Galactic Empire, a large group of protesters stood on a landing platform directly underneath his transport, protesting the Imperial taxation on Ghorman. Tarkin ordered his ship to land, crushing and killing hundreds of Imperial citizens. This incident became known as the Ghorman Massacre, and established the "Tarkin Doctrine" of suppressing dissent through state terrorism. Its basic tenet, as Tarkin often said, was "Rule through the fear of force rather than the force itself".

As commander of the first Death Star, he destroyed Princess Leia's home planet of Alderaan merely as a show of force. Tarkin was thinking about using the Death Star to destroy Coruscant while Emperor Palpatine was there and then become ruler of the galaxy. Palpatine, fearing that he might, sent Darth Vader to oversee construction and observe Tarkin. He was killed when the Rebels destroyed the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin.

Tarkin will appear in the upcoming Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, played by Wayne Pygram.

Appearances (Chronological):

• Darth Maul: Saboteur
• Cloak of Deception
• Rogue Planet
• Boba Fett: Pursuit
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
• Empire: Betrayal
• Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

External Links

• Page about Tarkin at starwars.com