Patrick Stewart, the legendary British actor who captivated generations as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, has died. He was 86.
Stewart died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his Los Angeles home following “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia,” his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed.
“He has been 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,” Novak shared.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Stewart spent decades performing Shakespeare before landing the role that changed his life. In 1987, he became Captain Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, despite initially doubting the series would survive its first season.
The show instead ran for seven seasons, making Stewart an international star.
He later introduced himself to a new generation of moviegoers as Professor Xavier in 2000’s X-Men, starring opposite longtime friend Ian McKellen.
Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and his two children.
