By Randall Elvin · Entertainment Editor
Sir Patrick Stewart died in his home at age 86. He dealt with a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. His roles in “Star Trek” and “X-Men” led to him becoming an acclaimed British actor.
For six decades, Stewart reached audiences through theater and television. Since he is well known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, it is easy to forget how he got started.
Stewart began as a stage actor and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He spent many years performing Shakespeare productions and other classic works. His theater background aided him in his more prominent roles, as it shaped his commanding presence and thoughtful performance.
In 1987, Stewart took on the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” The series became one of the franchise’s most successful installments, and Picard became one of television’s most recognizable captains.
In the early 2000s, he played Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films. His performance continued through several installments, including the 2017 film “Logan,” where he delivered one of the franchise’s most memorable performances.
Following his death, fellow “X-Men” star Hugh Jackman called him “one of the greats of stage and screen,” adding that he was a tremendous friend from whom he learned a great deal. Ian McKellen, who played Magneto, reminisced on their 50-year friendship. He described Stewart as “a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.” Whoopi Goldberg also remembered her longtime friend and “Star Trek” co-star, sharing a simple farewell: “See you on the next holodeck.”
Even in his final years, Stewart showed little interest in stepping away from acting. In a July interview celebrating the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek,” he reflected on continuing to work and take on new challenges. When asked about retirement, he responded, “I’ll always and forever be an actor.”
Stewart’s final film appearance will be as Professor X in “Avengers: Doomsday,” scheduled to release in December. It is a fitting final chapter for an actor whose performances reached generations of movie and television fans.
