British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his roles in Star Trek and the X-Men film franchise, has died at the age of 86.
Stewart died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, following what his spokesperson described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The announcement was made in a statement shared on his social media accounts on Thursday. It said he died in the care of his wife, singer Sunny Ozell, surrounded by family and friends.
Stewart became internationally recognised for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a role he first took on in 1987. He later reprised the character in several films and the television series Star Trek: Picard.
He also became widely known for playing Professor Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, in the X-Men film franchise, beginning in 2000.
Born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, in 1940, Stewart built a distinguished acting career spanning more than six decades across theatre, television and film. He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for 16 years and was knighted in 2010 for his services to drama.
Beyond acting, Stewart supported several charitable causes, including human rights, refugees, survivors of domestic violence and animal welfare.
His death has prompted tributes from fellow actors and colleagues, including X-Men co-star Hugh Jackman and Star Trek actor William Shatner.
