Sir Patrick Stewart, known to generations of fans as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died aged 86.
Stewart died at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday, October 28th, with his wife Sunny Ozell by his side. His longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed his death following a period with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The news was made public on Thursday.
Long before Hollywood came calling, Stewart had spent years onstage with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Then, in 1987, he took command of the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He played Picard for seven seasons and four films, eventually returning to the role in Star Trek: Picard from 2020 to 2023.
His turn as Professor X in 2000’s X-Men introduced him to another generation. Opposite Ian McKellen’s Magneto, Stewart helped anchor the superhero franchise, later sharing some of its most affecting scenes with Australian actor Hugh Jackman in 2017’s Logan.
Jackman paid tribute to his longtime co-star on Instagram:
“I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”
Ian McKellen, William Shatner and other colleagues have also shared memories of Stewart following the news.
From Shakespeare to Punk Horror
Stewart never stopped working in theatre, appearing opposite McKellen in Waiting for Godot and earning major awards for his stage performances. He was knighted in 2010.
For BLUNT readers, there’s also his unsettling performance in Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room. In the punk horror film, Stewart played the owner of a neo-Nazi venue where a touring band becomes trapped after witnessing a murder. The menace of that performance was a long way from the reassuring authority of Picard and Professor X.
His other credits ranged from Dune and Excalibur to comedy and voice acting. He was also set to return as Professor Xavier in December’s Avengers: Doomsday.
Stewart spoke openly about the impact of domestic violence and advocated for survivors, as well as supporting animal welfare causes. He is survived by Ozell and his two children.
Those wishing to honour his memory can support the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Featured photograph: Gage Skidmore, 2019, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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