LOS ANGELES — Patrick Stewart, who rose from poverty in England to become an accomplished Shakespearean stage actor and then achieved global stardom as the erudite Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' and the telepathic Professor Charles Xavier in the 'X-Men' movies, has died at the age of 86.
Stewart, knighted in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to drama, died at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement on his X account. 'We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,' it said. His spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed the news.
Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, on July 13, 1940, Stewart spent his early career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' made him a household name around the world. He went on to play Professor X across the 'X-Men' film series, and returned as Picard in the Paramount+ series 'Star Trek: Picard.'
Tributes poured in from across stage and screen, and on Tuesday, November 3, theaters in London's West End dimmed their lights for two minutes in his memory. A statement on his Instagram account also remembered his advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, refugees, veterans' mental health services and animal welfare.
Variety also reports that Stewart appears in the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday,' a final screen appearance that will reunite him with his longtime friend and stage colleague Ian McKellen.
