Patrick Stewart dies: how Captain Picard inspired today’s science leaders

The world is mourning the loss of Patrick Stewart, the 86-year-old actor who played a significant role in shaping the entertainment industry. Tributes have been pouring in from colleagues and fans alike, highlighting his remarkable career and the impact he had on those who worked with him.

Sir Patrick Stewart was best known for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the long-running television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also had memorable roles in four Star Trek feature films and numerous X-Men movies, where he portrayed Professor Charles Xavier. His final screen performance was in Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on December 18.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, England, Stewart maintained a strong connection to his roots throughout his life. As fellow actor Ian McKellen noted on Instagram, Stewart's Yorkshire accent and honesty made him a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. McKellen admired Stewart's bravery in addressing big issues and his unwavering honesty.

William Shatner, Stewart's fellow Star Trek captain, expressed his profound sense of loss on Facebook. Shatner described Stewart as a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor, praising his intelligence, grace, and deep sense of humanity. He mourned the loss of a man who stood for the best of us.

Co-creator of Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Akiva Goldsman, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Stewart. Goldsman praised Stewart's ability to turn words into flesh and blood, calling him a true lion of the profession and a rare alchemist. He mourned the loss of a man who was kind, strong, fiercely intelligent, collaborative, vulnerable, and wise.

Stewart's colleagues on Star Trek: The Next Generation also shared their grief. Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander Will Riker alongside Stewart for over 35 years, revealed that there was no one he had acted with or directed more often. Frakes described Stewart as his great friend and expressed his sorrow, hoping for his eternal peace.

Finally, actress Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi on the show, shared a teary-eyed video on Instagram. Sirtis thanked Stewart for his impact on her life, expressing her love and gratitude for having worked with him. She emphasized that his absence would be felt deeply, describing his loss as the understatement of the century.