Nute Gunray

"I never risk my own skin if I don't have to."

- Nute Gunray to Ahsoka Tano.

Nute Gunray is a major antagonist in the Star Wars franchise.

He is the Viceroy of the Trade Federation and later became a high-ranking leader of the Confederacy of Independent Systems as the chairman of the Separatist Council. He was one of Darth Sidious' first, and most important, pawns in his plan to attain ultimate power. Following the deaths of both Count Dooku and later General Grievous, Gunray became the de-jure leader of the CIS. However, he was ultimately slain by Darth Vader along with the other members of the Separatist Council on Mustafar, mostly for his many attempts on Vader's wife, Padmé's life.

Role
He is a major antagonist in the Prequel Trilogy, appearing as the main antagonist of The Phantom Menace, and a major antagonist in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. He also served as a recurring antagonist in the 2008 TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.