Beloved actor Patrick Stewart has died following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, his representative confirmed. He was 86.
“We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,” Kelly Bush Novak, his longtime spokesperson, said in a statement Thursday.
Stewart — whose storied career included the iconic roles of Professor X in the “X-Men” film series and Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in the “Star Trek” franchise — had spent quality time with loved ones before his death, according to the statement.
“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,” the statement said. “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection of his invincible grace.”
Stewart, an indelible part of the “Star Trek” legacy, played Jean-Luc Picard for seven seasons on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” from 1987 to 1994, and in multiple films, and he reprised the role in the Paramount+ show “Star Trek: Picard,” from 2020 to 2023.
He stepped into the role of Professor Charles Xavier with the 2000 film “X-Men” and continued to depict the genius mutant telepath in multiple sequels.
He was featured in a trailer for the highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” film scheduled to be released in December, reprising the role for the eighth time in the mega Marvel crossover.
He had most recently done voice-over work in the film “The Sheep Detectives” and appeared in the Prime Video series “Bait,” both in 2026, according to his IMDb profile.
Born in the town of Mirfield in West Yorkshire, England, he joined the acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He went on to make his Broadway debut in 1971 in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and forged a career on the silver screen.
In his theater career, he graced numerous Broadway and West End stages — including as the title character in “Macbeth” on Broadway, for which he was nominated for a Tony in 2008.
Across the pond, he won two Laurence Olivier Awards focused on London theater: the first in 1979 for best actor in a supporting role for his role in “Antony and Cleopatra” and the second in 2009 for best performance in a supporting role as King Claudius in “Hamlet.”
As a voice actor, Stewart lent his commanding baritone to the character Avery Bullock, the eccentric CIA director on the animated comedy “American Dad,” from its 2005 debut through this year. He also voiced several characters, including his own Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, on the animated comedy “Family Guy” from 2005 to 2018.
“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre,” the statement said. “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.”
Off the stage, he was dedicated to philanthropy and activism, including advocating for human rights, domestic violence survivors, refugees, veteran mental health services and animal welfare.
A revered figure in Hollywood — with myriad accolades spanning nominations for Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards — he was also knighted in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.
The statement closed with a quote from his 2023 book, “Making It So: A Memoir”: “Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience. 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.”
Marvel Studios said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened” by Stewart’s passing.
“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,’” the statement said. “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.”
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, recalled first seeing Stewart in action.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men. After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas,” Feige said in a statement.
“Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor. It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him. His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed,” he added.
Tributes poured in for Stewart from devoted fans and co-stars.
Hugh Jackman, who played Wolverine to Stewart’s Professor X in the “X-Men” films, shared photos of the pair on Instagram, writing: “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”
William Shatner, a fellow “Star Trek” captain, remembered Stewart as “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,” he said on social media.
Jonathan Frakes, who played Cmdr. William Riker in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and in “Star Trek: Picard,” wrote on his Instagram Story: “Rest in peace my friend.”
“Star Trek: Picard” executive producer Akiva Goldsman remembered Stewart as “not only a true lion of the profession, he was the rarest of alchemists, one who could literally turn the written word into flesh and blood.”
“Patrick was kind, strong, fiercely intelligent, collaborative, vulnerable and wise. His Captain Jean-Luc Picard permanently expanded the universe of Star Trek without measure. He will be deeply missed by this one fan and by so many more,” Goldsman said in a statement.