Patrick Stewart, Shakespearean actor turned ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men’ star, dies at 86

Patrick Stewart, a renowned Shakespearean actor who transitioned into successful roles in "Star Trek" and "X-Men," passed away at the age of 86. Born in Mirfield, England, in 1940, he experienced a challenging childhood marked by poverty and domestic abuse. Acting became his safe haven after a schoolteacher introduced him to Shakespeare, particularly "The Merchant of Venice" when he was 12 years old.

Stewart's career took off in the 1960s as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. However, it wasn't until he was hired at 47 for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that he achieved mainstream fame, playing the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons from 1987 to 1994 as well as in multiple Star Trek films and subsequent series. Despite initial hesitation, Stewart embraced the role of Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" movies, starting with the 2000 release, becoming a key figure in the franchise.

Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, Stewart's contributions to drama were widely recognized. He was married three times and had two children. In his later years, Stewart continued to appear in the "Avengers: Doomsday" film and the upcoming Marvel movie in December, where he remained a beloved figure among fans and colleagues alike.