The British actor Patrick Stewart died at the age of 86 in his home in Los Angeles, United States. The news broke on Thursday, October 29, and was confirmed by his representative, Kelly Bush Novak, through a statement.
Worldwide renowned for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men saga, Stewart built an extensive career spanning theater, television, and cinema for more than six decades.
According to the statement released by his representative, the actor passed away on Wednesday, October 28, surrounded by his wife, Sunny Ozell, family and friends, after enduring a brief illness related to Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The news was picked up by outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter and The Associated Press.
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Patrick Stewart, Star Trek’s Captain Picard
Although he had already established a solid stage career in the United Kingdom before achieving international fame, it was his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which debuted in 1987, that transformed him into a figure recognizable worldwide.
For seven seasons, Stewart brought to life the Enterprise’s commanding officer and later reprised the character in several films of the franchise. Decades later, he returned to the role in the series Star Trek: Picard, which aired from 2020 to 2023.
Professor X from X-Men, another emblematic role
In 2000, Stewart added another unforgettable character to his career by portraying Charles Xavier, better known as Professor X, in the first X-Men film.
His rendition of the mutants’ leader became one of the saga’s most memorable and brought him closer to new generations of viewers.
The actor reprised the character in various installments, including X2, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Logan. He also appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released in 2022.
Stewart managed to blend these large-popular successes with his work on classic theater. For years he belonged to the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company and stood out in plays by William Shakespeare and by contemporary playwrights. In 2010 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contribution to the performing arts.
With a career that traversed theatrical stages and some of the most influential franchises in popular culture, Patrick Stewart leaves a lasting imprint that will continue to be associated with both the Star Trek universe and the X-Men universe.
