Renowned actor Patrick Stewart dies at 86
Patrick Stewart, known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, died at his Los Angeles home after a brief illness.
Patrick Stewart, the English actor celebrated for his portrayals of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” series, died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles residence at the age of 86. An Instagram statement from his family said he succumbed to a short battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The announcement praised Stewart’s “sonorous voice and singular talent,” noting his impact on both science-fiction and superhero franchises and his extensive philanthropic work on human-rights, refugee, veterans’ mental-health, and animal-welfare causes.
Stewart’s career spanned stage and screen. He spent two decades with the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming a cultural icon through “Star Trek,” appearing in the series from 1987 to 1994 and in four subsequent films, as well as the recent series “Star Trek: Picard.” He also headlined the “X-Men” franchise, playing Professor Xavier in multiple installments and is slated to reprise the role in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”
His accolades included four Emmy nominations, three Olivier Awards, and a Tony nomination. Stewart continued to work in theater, television, and voice-over projects throughout his life, appearing in productions such as “Macbeth,” “The Tempest,” and guest-voice roles on “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”
Survived by his third wife, singer Sunny Ozell, and his children Sophie and Daniel Stewart, he leaves a legacy of diverse performances and humanitarian advocacy.