Tributes pour in for Patrick Stewart, who has died aged 86

Patrick Stewart, known for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series, has died aged 86.

In a statement released on his social media, his team announced that the actor died in his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday from Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund
https://t.co/luC5CdcWDy
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources
https://t.co/zvNptfyuNd

Photo Credit: Tommy Garcia https://t.co/XNncEVq56X

— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) October 29, 2026

The Yorkshire actor began his career on the stage, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He won a Laurence Olivier Award in 1979 for his supporting role in Antony and Cleopatra. He also was nominated for a second Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award in 2008 for his performance as King Claudius in Hamlet.

He gained international recognition when he began playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek in 1987 to 1994. He reprised the role in four films, and the Stark Trek: Picard series, which aired between 2020 and 2023.

He is also remembered for his iconic portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men movies. He will reprise the role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, which will be his final film performance.

His long-time friend Ian McKellen paid tribute to the actor in a social media post.

"He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.

"We first met as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago but we weren’t in the same productions. My first strong memory was a few years later, meeting him in the street in central London when he told me about an offer to take over a leading part in Star Trek. "But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk—getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?".

"Well, he took the risk and thank goodness for us all that he did for not just his devoted Trekkies but film and theatre audiences, who marvelled at his using international celebrity to star in a string of cinema successes (X-Men of course) and in great classical plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Arthur Miller, Peter Shaffer, Pinter and Beckett at Stratford-upon-Avon, in London’s West End and on Broadway."

He went on to call Stewart "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation."

 

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Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine in the X-Men films paid his respects to the actor in an Instagram post.

"We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man," he wrote.

"I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days."

 

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Fellow Star Trek actor William Shatner expressed his love for Stewart in a statement on X.

"What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor.

"My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed."

What a heartbreaking week it has been. 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. Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work.

My heart goes out to Sunny and his family. He will be deeply missed.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) October 29, 2026

Marvel Studios, shared a post paying tribute to the late actor, calling him a "singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman."

All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from X-Men to Logan to Avengers: Doomsday. He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) October 29, 2026

Patrick Stewart is survived by his wife Sunny Ozell, and his two children.