Patrick Stewart, Captain Picard of Star Trek and Professor X, Dies at 86
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sir Patrick Stewart — Captain Jean-Luc Picard to generations of Star Trek fans, Professor Charles Xavier to millions more — died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his Los Angeles home. He was 86.
The news was announced Thursday in a statement shared on his social media. Stewart died after “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia,” 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 read.
Tributes poured in from across the industry. Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine opposite Stewart’s Professor X in seven X-Men films, shared two photos of the longtime friends embracing: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,” he 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.”
William Shatner, who starred opposite Stewart as Capt. James T. Kirk in 1994’s “Star Trek Generations,” wrote on Instagram: “Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor. 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.”
Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey in the X-Men films, told USA Today: “Patrick was a legend. One of the greats. I had the pleasure and honor of working with him over several decades… You will be missed, Patrick, but never forgotten.”
Jonathan Frakes, who starred as Cmdr. William Riker alongside Stewart on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” said: “There is no one on this planet that I have acted with or directed more often than my late great friend Patrick Stewart. He will be with me forever. May he rest in peace.”
Stewart’s career spanned more than 60 years on stage and screen — from the Royal Shakespeare Company to seven seasons commanding the Enterprise, from “X-Men” to “Star Trek: Picard,” plus a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. His final film appearance was in “Avengers: Doomsday” earlier this year.
Source: USA Today
