Actor Patrick Stewart, most famous for roles in the “Star Trek” franchise and “X-Men” series has died after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, according to a statement posted on his Instagram Oct. 29. He was 86 years old.
Stewart passed away in his Los Angeles home Oct. 28 “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny,” according to the statement.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all,” the statement said.
“We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”
In lieu of flowers, the post called for donations to be made to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources in honor of the actor.
Stewart’s storied career spans decades, earning him multiple Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild nominations. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2010 for his immense contributions to drama.
Stewart, who was born in Mirfield, United Kingdom, was the son of a textile worker and a military veteran. A committed student to the thespian craft, Stewart studied theater at drama school Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before eventually joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, and making a name for himself as a renowned Shakespeare actor.
He took on some television roles as well and eventually brought his acting prowess to Broadway, making his debut in 1971 as Tom Snout in a production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
But the star of stage and screen skyrocketed to mainstream fame with his 1987 debut in the role of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a spinoff of the original sci-fi series. As the commanding officer of the Federation starships USS Stargazer, USS Enterprise-D and USS Enterprise-E, Stewart’s Picard became known for his authoritative voice and strong moral compass.
Stewart continued his reign in the world of sci-fi, most notably when he was cast as Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” franchise. He made his debut in the role in the 2000 film of the same name. His portrayal of the telepathic mutant, who shepherded and mentored fellow outcast mutants, endeared him to a new generation audiences. His performance in 2017’s “Logan,” in particular, drew critical acclaim and has been upheld as one of the franchise’s most powerful roles.
“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre,” said the statement shared on Stewart’s official Instagram page. “He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise.”
Stewart reprised his role as Professor X for the upcoming Marvel film “Avengers: Doomsday,” with fans eager to see the actor back in the sci-fi genre. The movie, which is slated to be released in December, is his final film credit, according to IMDB.
Hugh Jackman, who starred alongside Stewart in “Logan” as Wolverine, honored his cast mate in a moving Instagram post.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man,” Jackman wrote. “I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios chief, paid tribute to the actor in an emotional statement.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men. After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas,” Feige said in a statement shared with NBC News.
“Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor. It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him.”
In a separate statement, Marvel Studios also honored the renowned actor, describing him as the embodiment of “composure, class, and wisdom” of Professor X.
“For more than 25 years, he brought a gravitas and profundity to the role, earning fans across the globe and helping to transform Super Hero storytelling forever,” the studio said in a statement.
Outside of his work in entertainment, Stewart was a passionate philanthropist and activist who dedicated his efforts toward veterans’ rights, social justice and animal rights, among others.
His early experiences with domestic violence in his childhood also made him a fierce advocate for survivors of domestic abuse. In an essay for The Guardian, Stewart wrote about the way in which his father’s violent treatment of his mother had shaped much of his upbringing.
“I managed to find my own refuge in acting,” Stewart wrote in the 2009 essay. “The stage was a far safer place for me than anything I had to live through at home — it offered escape.”
He called on readers to raise awareness around the subject and speak out.
“Most people find the idea of violence against women — and sometimes, though rarely, against men — abhorrent, but do nothing to challenge it,” Stewart wrote. “More women and children, just like my mother and me, will continue to experience domestic violence unless we all speak out against it.”
Stewart, who got his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 1999, will be honored at the landmark.
“With heavy hearts, we will place flowers on Sir Patrick Stewart’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star in honor of a remarkable talent whose legacy touched millions,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame, said in a statement. “It was our privilege to pay tribute to an extraordinary artist who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Sir Patrick.” ❤️
Many will likely remember Stewart as Picard — and that’s not necessarily a stretch from how he saw himself.
“Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience,” Stewart wrote in his 2023 autobiography “Making It So: A Memoir.” But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the hed, he feels the call of home, as do I.”
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