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Sir Patrick Stewart Dies at 86, Tributes Pour In
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In Short: Sir Ian McKellen, a longtime friend and colleague, led tributes to Sir Patrick Stewart following his death at the age of 86.
Sir Ian McKellen, a longtime friend and colleague, led tributes to Sir Patrick Stewart following his death at the age of 86, describing him as 'the most respected and beloved actor of his generation.'
Born in Mirfield in 1940, Stewart's love for drama began at school where he was introduced to Shakespeare. His first public performance was in a local church production of Cinderella.
Stewart's career spanned decades, with notable roles in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men.' He played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in more than 170 episodes of 'Star Trek' and Professor Charles Xavier in the 'X-Men' films.
Hugh Jackman, who starred alongside Stewart in the 'X-Men' franchise, called him a 'tremendous friend and man,' saying, 'We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today.'
Stewart's third wife, Sunny Ozell, was with him when he passed away. His spokesperson announced his death on social media, stating that he died following a 'brief and poignant journey' with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Sir Ian McKellen praised Stewart's performances in the X-Men films and his work in classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter, and Beckett.
Stewart's legacy also includes his appointment as Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, a role he held with pride and a reflection of his lasting connection to Yorkshire.
Canadian actor William Shatner, known for his role as Captain James Kirk in 'Star Trek,' said the news was 'heartbreaking,' adding, 'Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague and a magnificent actor.'
Stewart and McKellen first met at the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s and 1970s, and their friendship continued for over five decades.
In a 2014 SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversation, Stewart joked, 'The only person who advised me not to do it is sitting to my left,' to the laughter of the crowd.
Stewart and McKellen starred together in several productions, including 'Waiting for Godot' and 'No Man’s Land,' both on Broadway and in London's West End.
Stewart's roles in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men' made him an international star, and his performances were celebrated for their intelligence, grace, and deep sense of humanity.
What this adds
Sir Patrick Stewart's death marks the end of a legendary career that left an indelible mark on stage and screen.
Background
Sir Ian McKellen, a longtime friend and colleague, led tributes to Sir Patrick Stewart following his death at the age of 86.
Sir Patrick Stewart, the beloved British actor famous for roles in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men,' died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28.
What's confirmed
- “Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague and a magnificent actor,” Shatner wrote in a post to social media.
- Stewart's spokesperson announced his death in a statement on social media, saying the actor died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles following a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
- "He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love," McKellen said Ian McKellen has led tributes to Patrick Stewart following the actor’s death at the age of 86, describing his longtime friend as “the most respected and beloved actor of his generation”.
What's still developing
- When Sir Patrick was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, he said he owed "literally everything" to his former English teacher who first encouraged him to perform.
- "He took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did," said Sir Ian, who appeared with Sir Patrick in a 2009 theatre production of Waiting for Godot.
- "Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did," McKellen wrote, praising Stewart's success across film, television and theater.
- Stewart went on to take the role, becoming an international star while continuing to work across film and theatre.
- In addition to the original “X-Men” in 2000, Stewart and McKellen starred in in the sequels “X2” (2003) and “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006), then made a cameo in “The Wolverine” (2013) before fully reprising their roles in 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” Stewart also starred in 2017’s “Logan,” and both appear in “Avengers: Doomsday,” which will be released this December.