Legendary Actor Patrick Stewart Dies Following Brief Illness

Christina Botteri
Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman

Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained British stage actor who became a global icon as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86.

His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, announced the death in a statement shared on Stewart’s X and Instagram accounts, as well as distributed to news outlets. Stewart died after “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,” the statement said.

He was “in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny” and “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 added: “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.

Stewart was born Patrick Hewes Stewart on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to a textile worker mother and a father who was a World War II veteran. He began performing in local youth theater as a child, with an early public role in a church production of “Cinderella,” and later trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and remained associated with it for many years, building a reputation as one of Britain’s finest classical actors with roles including Oberon in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice,” and later Claudius in “Hamlet” (for which he won an Olivier Award). He also appeared on Broadway and in other major stage productions.

In 1987, after decades primarily on the British stage and relatively unknown in America, Stewart was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-D, in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987–1994). The role made him a household name. The series ran for seven seasons, earned critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama series, and spawned four feature films: “Star Trek: Generations” (1994), “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996), “Star Trek: Insurrection” (1998), and “Star Trek: Nemesis” (2002). He later returned to the character in the streaming series “Star Trek: Picard” (2020–2023).

Picard’s signature line, “Make it so,” became cultural shorthand; Stewart titled his 2023 memoir, Making It So.

Stewart also portrayed the telepathic mutant leader Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” film franchise beginning with the 2000 original, appearing in multiple sequels including “Logan” (2017) and a cameo in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022). He is set to appear posthumously as the character in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”

Marvel Studios called him “a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman” who brought the role to life “with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity.”

Other screen credits included Gurney Halleck in David Lynch’s “Dune” (1984), roles in “Excalibur,” “L.A. Story,” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights,” as well as voice work on “American Dad!” and other animated series.

He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 for services to drama and was previously appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He won multiple Olivier Awards and was nominated for Emmys, a Tony, and Golden Globes.

Tributes to Stewart from co-stars and colleagues poured out from across the internet and media.

William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk opposite Stewart in “Star Trek: Generations,” posted on X, “What a heartbreaking week it has been. 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. 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.”

Hugh Jackman, Stewart’s longtime “X-Men” co-star as Wolverine, wrote, “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. 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.”

Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker on “The Next Generation,” posted simply, “Rest in peace my friend.” George Takei (Lt. Hikaru Sulu) and Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher) also offered tributes, with Wheaton writing “Godspeed, Captain.” Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios and Seth MacFarlane (with whom Stewart worked on “American Dad!” and other projects) were among others who paid respects.

The statement announcing Stewarts passing concluded with a passage from his memoir.

Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience. But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I.

Stewart married three times. His first wife was choreographer Sheila Falconer, and they had two children: son Daniel, an actor, and daughter Sophie. He then married “Star Trek” producer Wendy Neuss. In 2013, he married singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, in a ceremony officiated by his longtime friend and “X-Men” co-star Ian McKellen. Ozell and his two children survive him. He was a lifelong supporter of the Huddersfield Town football club and an advocate for human rights, domestic violence survivors, refugees, veterans’ mental health, and animal welfare.

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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
Photo “Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman” by Hugh Jackman.

 

 

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