LOS ANGELES (CNS) —Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained British actor best known as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation’’ and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men’’ films, died at his Los Angeles home at age 86, his representative announced today.
Stewart died Wednesday following what longtime spokeswoman Kelly Bush Novak described as a “brief and poignant journey’’ with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter,’’ Bush Novak said.
She said Stewart was cared for by his wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, and was surrounded by family and friends.
William Shatner was among those paying tribute to Stewart.
“Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor,’’ Shatner wrote on Instagram.
“From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did. Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work. My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.’’
George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original series, wrote about Stewart on Bluesky.
“He inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity,’’ Takei wrote. “Our hearts are heavy, indeed. Rest in the heavens, Captain.’’
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also issued a statement.
“He was brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas,’’ Feige said.
“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,’’ he added.
Hugh Jackman, who starred as Wolverine in several “X-Men’’ films, also paid tribute to Stewart on Instagram.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,’’ Jackman wrote. “And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.’’
Although Stewart became internationally known through science-fiction and superhero roles, he spent much of his career on the stage and was one of Britain’s most accomplished Shakespearean actors.
Stewart was an established stage performer but largely unknown to American audiences when he was cast as Picard, commander of the USS Enterprise, in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.’’ The syndicated series ran for seven seasons from 1987 to 1994.
Producer Robert Justman first noticed Stewart while the actor was reading Shakespeare during a lecture at UCLA. “Star Trek’’ creator Gene Roddenberry initially resisted casting him, but Stewart eventually won the role.
Stewart later said he accepted a six-year contract after being assured the series probably would not survive its first season.
He reprised Picard in four films: “Star Trek Generations’’ in 1994,
“Star Trek: First Contact’’ in 1996, “Star Trek: Insurrection’’ in 1998 and “Star Trek: Nemesis’’ in 2002.
Stewart returned to the role in the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Picard,’’ which ran for three seasons from 2020 to 2023.
Reflecting on the values behind “Star Trek’’ during a 2023 interview with NPR, Stewart said the series was about “truth and fairness and honesty and respect for others, no matter who they were.’’
He first played telepathic mutant leader Charles Xavier in the 2000 film “X-Men.’’ He returned to the role in several sequels, including “X2: X- Men United,’’ “X-Men: Days of Future Past’’ and” “Logan.’’
Stewart frequently appeared opposite his longtime friend Ian McKellen, who played Xavier’s rival Magneto. The two also performed together on stage in productions of “Waiting for Godot’’ and “No Man’s Land.’’
His other film credits included “Excalibur,’’ “Dune,’’ “Conspiracy Theory’’ and “Green Room.’’ He portrayed Capt. Ahab in the 1998 television miniseries “Moby Dick’’ and King Henry II in a 2003 adaptation of “The Lion in Winter.’’
Stewart also starred as British television host Walter Blunt in the Starz comedy “Blunt Talk’’ and provided the voice of CIA official Avery Bullock on the animated comedy “American Dad!’’
Patrick Stewart was born July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, the youngest of three sons.
His father, Alfred, was a British Army veteran who Stewart said became violent toward his mother after returning from World War II. Stewart later became an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stewart left school at 15 and briefly worked as a reporter for the Dewsbury Reporter. He quit after an editor told him to choose between journalism and acting.
He later received a scholarship to attend the Bristol Old Vic TheatreSchool and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966.