Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men Star, Dies at 86

Stewart died after what his spokesperson described as a brief struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. His wife, Sunny, was with him, and a family statement said he spent his final time surrounded by loved ones, music and prayer. The family asked people to consider donations to Alzheimer’s research and caregiver-support organizations in his memory.

Stewart found international fame portraying the starship captain in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which began in 1987. He played Picard for seven seasons, in four films and later in the series Star Trek: Picard, which ran from 2020 to 2023. The role brought a Shakespearean formality to science fiction and made him a defining figure in the franchise.

In the X-Men movie series, beginning with the 2000 movie, Stewart portrayed the telepathic mutant Charles Xavier. He appeared in several more films in the series, often opposite Ian McKellen as Magneto. Though he initially hesitated to take on another science-fiction role, he later wrote that he had come to value playing Picard.

Born in Mirfield, England, Stewart built a substantial stage career before Hollywood fame. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and performed in numerous Shakespeare productions. His work also included Broadway and West End appearances, including productions with McKellen of Waiting for Godot and No Man’s Land.

Stewart was knighted in 2010 for services to drama. His family remembered him as an actor whose work explored human complexity and brought hope to audiences across theater, film and television.