Actors and colleagues honor Sir Patrick Stewart after his death
Sir Patrick Stewart died at 86 in Los Angeles after a brief illness with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, prompting tributes from fellow actors and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Sir Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home following a brief illness with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, his family said. The veteran actor, 86, was survived by his wife Sunny Ozell and two adult children from his first marriage.
Tributes poured in from colleagues in film, television and theatre. Sir Ian McKellen, who worked with Stewart in the X-Men franchise, called him "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation" and praised his honesty and Yorkshire roots. > "He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love," McKellen said.
William Shatner, who co-starred with Stewart in Star Trek, said the actor brought "intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity" to his roles. > "Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work," Shatner added.
George Takei highlighted Stewart's influence on later generations of fans, while Hugh Jackman described him as a "tremendous friend and man" and a great figure on stage and screen.
The Royal Shakespeare Company, where Stewart began his professional career in 1966, called him a "colossus of both stage and screen" and noted his contributions to Shakespearean performance. Dame Harriet Walter said his passing felt like the loss of a "huge giant tree" in the forest.
Stewart's final film role will appear as Professor X in the upcoming Marvel production "Avengers: Doomsday," with Marvel Studios describing him as a "singular talent, a generous collaborator and a true gentleman."
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 and later served as chancellor of Huddersfield University, a position noted by McKellen as a point of pride for the actor.
Friends from the entertainment industry, including Seth MacFarlane and Ricky Gervais, recalled Stewart's professionalism and humor on collaborative projects such as "Family Guy" and "American Dad!"