Patrick Stewart, 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men' star, dead at 86
The legendary British actor was known for his roles as Jean-Luc Picard in the "Star Trek" franchise and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films.
Actor Patrick Stewart passed away at the age of 86. His representative announced that he died after a brief journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Stewart was renowned for his stage performances and his iconic roles in "Star Trek" and "X-Men". The legend, who was married to Sunny, was found in his Los Angeles home with the support of his beloved wife.
His death was announced on his official Instagram page, describing his final days as surrounded by family and friends, filled with live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and profound emotions. Stewart's legacy will be remembered for his grace and devotion. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.
Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, Stewart developed an interest in acting at the age of 12 after being introduced to Shakespeare's works by an English teacher. He began his theatrical career at 17 before landing the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard on "Star Trek: The Next Generation", which ran for seven seasons from 1987 to 1994.
Stewart reprised his role in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and four movies in the franchise: "Star Trek Generations" (1994), "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998), and "Star Trek: Nemesis" (2002). He also provided voice work for "Star Trek" video games. Stewart's notable roles extended to the "X-Men" franchise, where he portrayed Professor Charles Xavier in the 2000 film "X-Men" and several subsequent films.
He also starred alongside Ian McKellen, who played Magneto, and the two developed a close friendship off-screen, with McKellen officiating Stewart's wedding to singer Sunny Ozell in 2013. In addition to his film and television work, Stewart also had voice roles in "American Dad!" and the upcoming 2026 movie "The Sheep Detectives".
He also returned as Jean-Luc Picard from 2020 to 2023 in the "Star Trek: Picard" series. Stewart is survived by Ozell and their two children, Daniel and Sophia, from his first marriage to Sheila Falconer.
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