Grand Moff Tarkin: Bio, Origin & History

Real Name: Wilhuff Tarkin

First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope (May, 1977)

Powers: Grand Moff Tarkin is an expert strategist, tactician, and ruthless commander. 

Affiliation: Galactic Empire and Galactic Republic

Did You Know? Peter Cushing was made famous after playing Baron Frankenstein.

A Little History

The origin of Grand Moff Tarkin is pretty straightforward. 

Grand Moff Tarkin first appeared in Star Wars A New Hope back in May of 1977. At the time he was portrayed by famed actor Peter Cushing.

Born on the planet Eriadu, Wilhuff Tarkin was taught from a young age that only the strong survive and to become strong required that he keep those around him beneath him. To show him this, his parents sent him to live on the Carrion Plateau of Eriadu. While out in the wild, Tarkin learned to track, hunt, and kill his prey all-the-while defending himself and everything that was his. His time on the Carrion Plateau the groundwork for everything he was to become.

Now a teenager, Tarkin applied to, and was accepted as a member of the Outland Regions Security Force. As a member, it was obvious that he was a class above his fellow recruits. His success caught the eye of Senator Palpatine. Palpatine quickly took him under his wing and as a result of their time together, their friendship blossomed. Although Tarkin wished to remain apart of the Judicial Department, Palpatine suggested that he return to Eriadu and serve as its Governor. After the onset of the Clone Wars, Tarkin returned to military service. Once back in the military, he undertook many covert missions assigned to him by the now Chancellor Palpatine. 

Once the Jedi fell and the Republic became the Empire, Palpatine promoted Tarkin to a Moff. As a Moff, he was both feared and revered by his peers. It didn’t take long before he was promoted to Grand Moff. As Grand Moff, he was suddenly responsible for only the most important operations of the Empire. Of these, none were as important as the Death Star. With the Death Star at his command, he quickly sent messages of destruction and annihilation to all non-conforming worlds. This meant that he used the weapon to destroy Jedha, Scarif, and Alderaan. 

And that’s it. The origin of Grand Moff Tarkin.