Sir Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men star, dies at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, the British actor best known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died. He was 86 years old. A post published on his social media accounts on Wednesday confirmed he passed away at his home in Los Angeles. The update described his final period as a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.

Stewart’s career began in the theater. Born in Yorkshire, England, he grew up in a household he later described as harsh, with an alcoholic and abusive father. He found refuge in school and eventually in Shakespeare. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and made his Broadway debut in 1970 in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Speaking to NPR in 2023, he recalled the feeling of standing in an empty theater. "To stand in the middle of an empty stage in an empty theater and feel that I was at home was everything," he said. "But it took a while for me to get there."

His transition to television was initially viewed by colleagues as a departure from serious stage work. While lecturing on Shakespeare at UCLA, Stewart received an offer to lead a new series of Star Trek. His friend and fellow Shakespearean actor Ian McKellen advised against it. "Don't do this, Patrick," McKellen told him. "You're a very good stage actor. That's where you ought to be. Don't do it." Stewart’s agent suggested the show might not last long, encouraging him to take the role for steady income and exposure. "Do six months' work. Make some money for the first time in your life and get well known. Get a suntan, and go home," his agent reportedly said. Stewart agreed, thinking the job would be manageable.

Star Trek: The Next Generation became a massive success, airing for seven seasons between 1987 and 1994. Fans embraced Picard for his calm leadership and specific habits, such as drinking Earl Grey tea. Stewart became a global icon through catchphrases like "Engage!" and "Make it so!". Despite the fame, Stewart continued to act on stage, performing in a one-man production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol where he portrayed more than 40 characters.

Stewart returned to the big screen in 2000 to play Professor X in the X-Men franchise. He will make his final appearance as the character in the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday. He also reprised his Star Trek role in the streaming series Star Trek: Picard, which debuted on Paramount+ in 2020. The series was developed by writers including Michael Chabon, who pitched the concept to Stewart. Chabon told NPR that writing lines for Stewart was an incredible experience. "I would've been happy just shaking Patrick Stewart's hand and telling him how much I loved him on Star Trek," Chabon said. "But to be able to actually write words that he will speak and act is, it's incredible."

In Picard, the character deals with the psychological effects of leaving Starfleet. The story portrays a Picard who is weary and haunted by the past. Stewart’s performance in the series focused on these emotional complexities. His career moved from the stage to television and then back to stage and film, spanning more than five decades of acting.

Stewart worked alongside many prominent actors during his time with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. He used his platform to discuss his personal history and his love for classical theater. His death ends a career that defined two major science fiction franchises while maintaining a strong presence in live theater.

The actor’s family has not released a statement regarding funeral arrangements. His social media posts served as the primary notice of his passing. Stewart is survived by his partner, Shantel VanSanten, whom he had been with since 2012.