Patrick Stewart, 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men' icon, dead at 86
Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed Shakespearean actor who became beloved as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" film franchise, has died at 86.
A statement posted to the English actor's social media on Oct. 29 revealed that he died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his Los Angeles home while "in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia." Neither diagnosis had previously been publicly disclosed.
"He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all. We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace," the statement read.
"His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre. He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction's most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise," said the statement honoring Stewart, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.
"He was a Knight, Chancellor, motor sport enthusiast, and lifelong Huddersfield Football fan. He will be remembered for the dignity, compassion and humanity he brought to every role – in his art and life."
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How Patrick Stewart built his 'Star Trek' legacy
Prior to his breakout "Star Trek" role, Stewart had appeared in Hollywood films. The actor played the knight Leondegrance in 1981's "Excalibur" and warrior Gurney Halleck in director David Lynch's 1984 science-fiction epic "Dune."
But Stewart was best known for his distinguished stage career, including more than a decade with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before being asked to try out for the role of Picard in "Star Trek" series "The Next Generation" in the late 1980s, following in the footsteps of rugged William Shatner's Captain Kirk in the original "Star Trek."
At the time, the franchise's creator Gene Roddenberry didn't want the actor starring as the 24th-century explorer, which was made clear during a disastrous 10-minute first meeting at Roddenberry's Hollywood Hills home and in heated casting discussions afterward.
"There were weeks of fierce arguments, before [Roddenberry] stepped aside, which is extraordinary," Stewart told USA TODAY in 2023.
With his rich, resonant voice, commanding stage presence and steely resolve, Stewart's portrayal of Picard made him a fan favorite throughout all seven seasons of "The Next Generation," from 1987 to 1994. Leading an Enterprise crew that included Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker, Brent Spiner as the android Data and LeVar Burtonas Geordi La Forge, Stewart turned Picard's crisp commands "Make it so" and "Engage" into enduring catchphrases.
Stewart's life immediately changed with his role. While his co-stars like Frakes bought luxury cars, the once-struggling actor giddily threw down on a Honda Prelude before moving on to more expensive vehicles and, eventually, major film roles.
The actor opened new universes playing the telepathic Professor Charles Xavier in 2000's "X-Men." He portrayed the mutant leader for more than two decades, including in 2017's "Logan," before making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2022's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." (Stewart reprises the role in the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," out Dec. 18.)
The globally respected actor possessed a wicked sense of humor that extended to his film choices. Stewart proudly voiced the Poop emoji in 2017's critically panned "The Emoji Movie," telling USA TODAY at the time that his grandchildren "howled with delight" when they learned of the casting.
"I think it gave them great street credibility," Stewart joked.
But "Star Trek" remained closest to Stewart's heart. He even borrowed Picard's famous catchphrase for the title of his 2023 memoir, "Making It So."Stewart returned to the character in 2020 for the sequel series "Star Trek: Picard," which ran for three seasons through 2023, culminating in a reunion with his "Next Generation" castmates.
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The connection between the star and his seminal character was so great that Stewart wanted to end the series with Picard at total peace with a wife, just as Stewart was content with his third wife in real life, musician Sunny Ozell.
The writers crafted a short scene with Picard eyeing his vineyard, a dog at his side before a woman’s voice is heard calling, “Jean-Luc? Supper’s ready!" But in the time crunch of shooting the final "Picard" episode, Stewart offered to hold off on the crucial scene.
"I am the person who is to blame for the 'Picard' series not ending like that," Stewart said. "On the final shooting day, we had so much work to do, I thought, 'We can come back and do that moment anytime.' But we never came back and shot the scene."
Stewart loved the last scene, however, which shows Picard toasting his comrades with Shakespeare during a rowdy bar session.
"That is so spot-on accurate for the quality of life that we as actors and crew had with the show," he said. "The raising of glasses, laughing and joking. This was our world."
The family's statement announcing Stewart's death closed with a poignant passage from his memoir.
"Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience," Stewart wrote. "But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I."
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