Sir Ian McKellen has paid tribute to Sir Patrick Stewart, who died at age 86. McKellen called him "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation."
Stewart died at his Los Angeles home, the announcement said on Thursday. His family said he had Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia. A family statement said he died on Wednesday "in the loving care of his wife." He is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and his two adult children from his first marriage, Daniel and Sophie Stewart.
Stewart was best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek. He appeared in more than 170 episodes of the series between 1987 and 1994, plus four feature films, and returned to the role for Star Trek: Picard in 2020. He also played Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films. Marvel Studios said his final film appearance will be as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday.
William Shatner said Stewart brought "intelligence, grace and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did." George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu, said Stewart "inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers." Hugh Jackman called him a "tremendous friend and man."
Stewart was born in Mirfield in 1940 and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. The RSC called him "one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation." He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. McKellen said Stewart's proudest achievement was his appointment as chancellor of Huddersfield University.