Actor Patrick Stewart dies at 86
British actor Patrick Stewart, known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, died at age 86 after a brief illness involving Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Patrick Stewart, the British stage and screen actor best known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home. A statement posted to his official social-media account said he passed after "a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia."
Marvel Studios described Stewart as a "singular talent, generous collaborator and true gentleman," noting his contribution to the X-Men franchise. Co-star Hugh Jackman posted a tribute on Instagram, calling Stewart "a tremendous friend and man." Former Star Trek co-star Jonathan Frakes wrote, "Rest in peace my friend," while William Shatner said Stewart "brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did."
Stewart's career spanned six decades, ranging from the Royal Shakespeare Company to Broadway, film and television. In addition to his iconic sci-fi roles, he performed extensively onstage, including productions of Macbeth, Waiting for Godot and a one-man rendition of A Christmas Carol. He was survived by his wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, and two children, Sophia and Daniel.
The family’s statement requested donations to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources in lieu of flowers.