Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men actor, dies at 86

Oct 30, 6:17 AM2 min readCovered by 7 outlets

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Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary actor who brought Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor X to life, has died at 86 following a diagnosis of dementia.

The acclaimed British actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died at his home in Los Angeles at age 86. His representatives confirmed his death followed a journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

Stewart passed away on Wednesday while in the care of his wife, Sunny, according to a statement released on his social media accounts. His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, told the Hollywood Reporter that the actor was surrounded by family, friends, and live music during his final moments. Euronews reported that his career on stage and screen spanned nearly seven decades.

The actor was globally recognized for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films. France 24 noted that Stewart was 47 when he first took the captain's chair in 1987, a move that transitioned him from a respected Shakespearean thespian to a Hollywood megastar. CBS News highlighted that despite his screen fame, he spent more of his career on the stage than in front of cameras.

Tributes from colleagues described Stewart as a beloved and respected figure. Ian McKellen, his longtime friend and co-star, called him the most respected actor of his generation on both sides of the Atlantic. McKellen recalled advising Stewart against joining Star Trek in the 1980s, fearing it would harm his stage career, though he later expressed gratitude that Stewart took the risk. Hugh Jackman and George Takei also shared tributes, with Takei noting that Stewart inspired a new generation of "star-gazers."

Throughout his career, Stewart received numerous accolades including two Laurence Olivier Awards, a Grammy, and several Emmy and Tony nominations. According to Euronews, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 and held a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His final performances in his most famous role were for the series "Star Trek: Picard," which concluded in 2023.

Background

Stewart began his professional journey in Mirfield, England, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. While he faced initial skepticism from American critics when moving to Los Angeles for television, he became a central figure in modern science fiction through the Star Trek and Marvel franchises.