Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men veteran, dies at 86
The actor died at his Los Angeles home following a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Lewy Body dementia.
By Benjamin Bernard ·
Sir Patrick Stewart, the actor known for commanding the starship Enterprise and leading the X-Men, has died. He was 86 years old.
Stewart passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. His social media pages confirmed the news, citing a "brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia."
Born in Yorkshire, England, Stewart grew up in a difficult household. He described his father as an alcoholic who was abusive. The young man found refuge in school and the works of Shakespeare. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. By 1970, he had made his Broadway debut in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
In 1987, Stewart took on the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was initially hesitant. His colleague Ian McKellen advised him to stay on the stage. Stewart's agent suggested the job was a short-term gig that would pay well. Stewart agreed to what he expected to be a six-month commitment. The series ran for seven seasons until 1994.
The role made him a global icon. Fans embraced his character's love of Earl Grey tea and his calm leadership. Signature commands like "Engage!" and "Make it so!" became part of pop culture history. Despite his fame, Stewart continued to act in Shakespearean productions. He also starred in a one-man stage version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, playing more than 40 roles.
In 2000, Stewart joined the X-Men film franchise as Professor Charles Xavier. He reprised the role in subsequent movies. He is scheduled to appear as the character one last time in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. He also returned to the Star Trek universe in 2020 with the series Picard on Paramount+. The show focused on his character's struggle with past trauma.
Writer Michael Chabon, who helped pitch the Picard series to Stewart, praised the collaboration. Chabon told NPR that writing lines for Stewart to speak was an incredible experience. Stewart's final roles showcased a blend of weariness and joy. He left behind a career that spanned theater, television, and major film franchises.
Source: NPR
