‘Star Trek’, ‘X-Men’ star Patrick Stewart dies aged 86

Patrick Stewart, the renowned British actor known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died at the age of 86. He passed away on Wednesday after battling Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire in 1940, Stewart began his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre in London.

He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Picard on Star Trek, which solidified his status as a Hollywood megastar. Stewart's legacy extends beyond his iconic roles, as he also explored the human condition in various genres and brought hope to both science fiction and superhero storytelling. In addition to his acting career, Stewart was an advocate for domestic abuse victims and a dedicated Shakespearean actor, earning two Olivier Awards for his work on stage.

His final on-screen appearance as Professor Xavier is set for the release of Avengers: Doomsday in December. Stewart, who was knighted in 2010, was married three times and had two children.