Sir Patrick Stewart has died aged 86 at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with his wife Sunny by his side. His family announced that he had Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. He is survived by his wife and two adult children.
The British actor began his career on stage and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. He regularly performed a one-man version of A Christmas Carol, playing every character himself. His work earned major awards, and Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2010, giving him the title ‘Sir’.
Stewart became internationally famous as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which ran for seven seasons between 1987 and 1994. After four Star Trek films, he returned in Star Trek: Picard from 2020 to 2023. He also played Professor Charles Xavier, starting with X-Men in 2000 and returning in the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Away from acting, Stewart supported people affected by domestic violence. Fellow performers paid tribute after his death, including William Shatner, who appeared with him in the 1994 film Star Trek: Generations. Shatner remembered him as a friend and an outstanding actor, while X-Men co-star Hugh Jackman said he had learned a great deal from him.
