Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained stage actor who became Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died at 86. The legendary actor died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Surrounded by Love
His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, shared the news on his official Instagram account. The statement described his illness as “a brief and poignant journey.” He died in the loving care of his wife, Sunny, surrounded by family and friends. His final days at home included live music, prayer, tears and laughter, according to the statement. Alongside the news, his family shared a passage from his memoir, Making It So. In it, Stewart compares himself to Picard and writes that he, too, feels the call of home.
From Shakespeare to the Starship Enterprise
Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, Stewart joined an amateur drama group at just 12. As a teenager, he memorized Shakespeare for fun. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. Over the years, he appeared in more than 60 of its productions. Ian McKellen warned him against trading the stage for television, but Stewart took the Picard role anyway. He led Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1987 to 1994. Stewart later returned to the role for four films and Star Trek: Picard. He received a knighthood in 2010 for his services to drama.
Professor X and His Disney Roles
Stewart first played Professor X in 2000’s X-Men, launching a run that included an acclaimed turn in Logan. Those films came from Fox, but Disney now owns the franchise after acquiring 21st Century Fox. He brought the character into Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Fans will see him as Professor X one last time when Avengers: Doomsday opens December 18. Marvel Studios honored him as “a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman.”
Stewart also lent his famous voice to several Disney animated films. He voiced Mr. Woolensworth in 2005’s Chicken Little and the Great Prince in 2006’s Bambi II. Fittingly, he also voiced a statue of Bill Shakespeare in 2011’s Gnomeo & Juliet, released under Disney’s Touchstone label.
Remembering Sir Patrick
Jonathan Frakes, who played Riker opposite Stewart’s Picard, shared the news with a simple message: “Rest in peace my friend.” Stewart married jazz singer Sunny Ozell in 2013, with Ian McKellen officiating the ceremony. He also leaves behind two children, Daniel and Sophie. His death comes just days after fellow Star Trek actor Walter Koenig died at 90.
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