Star Trek And X-Men Icon Patrick Stewart Dead At 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, known for his iconic roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise and X-Men founder Professor Charles Xavier in many Marvel movies, died on October 28after "a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia," a statement posted to the actor's Instagram page reads. 

The statement goes on to say, "He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role — in his art and life."

Born on July 13, 1940 in the West Yorkshire town of Mirfield, England, Stewart started acting at the age of 12, cutting his teeth in U.K. playhouses during his teenage years. He landed a spot with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967 and would become a respected stage actor in the years that followed. He made his Broadway bow in 1971, playing the tradesman Tom Snout in an award-winning production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Stewart began taking on TV roles with increasingly regularity as the 1970s rolled on, but he would remain primarily known for his stage work until he landed the role of Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The show got off to a bumpy start but would develop into one of the most beloved entries in the Star Trek franchise, turning Stewart into a firm fan favorite.

When he sat down for an interview with the Television Academy in 2024, Patrick Stewart revealed how he had no idea what a life-changing experience "Star Trek: The Next Generation" would be when he signed on for the show. "It, of course, had such an impact on my life. I had never experienced anything like it," he said. "And critical to that was my relationship with the rest of the cast, whom I met first in 1987. And every day that I don't see them now in 2024, I miss every one of them. And I don't think I've ever had so much fun as I have shooting 'Next Generation.'"

Stewart reprised his role in the follow-up series "Star Trek: Picard," by which time he was also well known for portraying Charles Xavier — aka Professor X — in Fox's "X-Men" movies. Playing the iconic Marvel character sparked Stewart's long-running friendship with Sir Ian McKellen, who appeared as his opposite number Magneto. Fans were delighted when news broke that both actors were set to reprise their roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe event film "Avengers: Doomsday."

Of course, Stewart did a lot more than play Picard and Professor X. In the 1980s he took on the roles of Arthurian figure Leodegrance in John Boorman's "Excalibur" and the troubador-warrior Gurney Halleck in David Lynch's "Dune." Later big screen credits include "L.A. Story," "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," "Jeffrey," and "The Kid Who Would Be King." He also had notable voice roles in the likes of "The Pagemaster" and "The Prince of Egypt." Stewart's final film appearance is in the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday."