Patrick Stewart Dies at 86 as McKellen, Shatner and Jackman Lead Tributes

Patrick Stewart died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his Los Angeles home, according to a statement shared on his social media Thursday, Oct. 29. He was 86.

The statement said Stewart died after a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.” It said he had been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears and laughter.

Stewart was known to television and film audiences as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and as Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films, and he spent decades on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

McKellen, Shatner and Frakes remember a friend

Ian McKellen paid tribute to his longtime friend and collaborator on Instagram, reflecting on a friendship that began nearly half a century earlier, when they were young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company. “He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,” McKellen, 87, wrote.

McKellen recalled worrying that Hollywood would draw Stewart away from British theater when Stewart told him about the chance to star in “Star Trek.” He wrote that Stewart took the risk, to the benefit of his devoted Trekkies as well as film and theater audiences, and he described Stewart’s appointment as chancellor of the University of Huddersfield as his proudest achievement. McKellen closed by telling fans that Stewart’s farewell performance in “Avengers: Doomsday” is yet to be seen.

William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk opposite Stewart’s Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in the 1994 film “Star Trek Generations,” wrote on Instagram: “Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor. From the stage to the bridge of the Enterprise, he brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did.” Shatner added: “Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him.”

Jonathan Frakes, who played Cmdr. William Riker on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” said in a statement to USA TODAY: “There is no one on this planet that I have acted with or directed more often than my late great friend Patrick Stewart. He will be with me forever. May he rest in peace.”

LeVar Burton, who played Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge on the series, told USA TODAY: “He was family. There is no other context in which to hold him that makes sense. I am lucky to have known and loved so many of the facets of a soul so rich in talent and generous of heart.”

X-Men co-stars pay tribute

Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine alongside Stewart’s Professor X in seven “X-Men” movies, wrote on Instagram: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”

Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey in the “X-Men” films, told USA TODAY in a statement: “Patrick was a legend. One of the greats. I had the pleasure and honor of working with him over several decades. You will be missed, Patrick, but never forgotten.” Janssen first appeared opposite Stewart as Kamala in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” before joining him in the “X-Men” movies.

Stewart’s son Daniel, 59, posted a photo from the father-son pair’s stage performance in J.B. Priestley’s “Johnson Over Jordan,” hours after news of the death made headlines. The two appeared together in a 1992 episode of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the 1993 thriller “Death Train” and the sitcom “Blunt Talk” in 2015.

Stewart is survived by his third wife, musician Sunny Ozell, and two children, Daniel and Sophie, from his first marriage to actress and dancer Sheila Falconer. He was married three times.

Lewy body dementia is the second most common form of progressive dementia behind Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, as cited by USA TODAY. The condition develops when abnormal proteins build up in the brain, interfering with memory, thinking and movement. People with the condition may experience hallucinations, muscle stiffness, difficulty moving and periods of confusion or reduced alertness. Other people who had the condition include comic and actor Robin Williams, baseball player Tom Seaver and CNN founder Ted Turner, USA TODAY reported.

Reporting based on coverage by USA TODAY.