Hollywood has lost one of its most respected stars, as legendary British actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died at 86.
The actor, famous for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, died Wednesday in Los Angeles.
His death followed a reported battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Stewart died at his home, where his wife, singer and songwriter Sunny Ozell, cared for him, according to his representative.
His passing has prompted tributes from fellow actors and fans worldwide.
Hugh Jackman, who worked with Stewart in the X-Men films, paid tribute to his late co-star on social media.
“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,” Jackman wrote. “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.”
Actor Ian McKellen, Stewart’s longtime friend and stage collaborator, also remembered him warmly.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love,” McKellen posted.
William Shatner, another Star Trek star, described Stewart as a friend and a remarkable performer.
“What a heartbreaking week it has been,” Shatner wrote. “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.”
Beyond his famous science-fiction roles, Stewart built a career spanning more than six decades, with major achievements in theatre, television and film.
He was classically trained and performed Shakespearean roles, including Macbeth and Claudius in Hamlet.
He won three Olivier Awards and received a Grammy Award in 1996 for his spoken-word recording of Peter and the Wolf.
Stewart first played Professor Charles Xavier in the original X-Men trilogy, beginning in 2000. He later returned to the role in several films, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022.
He also reprised Captain Picard in the television series Star Trek: Picard, further cementing his place in the franchise.
Patrick Stewart married Sunny Ozell in 2013, he is survived by his wife and two children, Sophia and Daniel.
