Mourning for Patrick Stewart: The British actor died on Wednesday at the age of 86 at his home in Los Angeles, cared for by his wife Sunny, according to a message on his Instagram account. This was preceded by “a short and moving journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia”.
Stewart came from the small English town of Mirfield in Yorkshire. He came to television from the Royal Shakespeare Company and became a global star in 1987 as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. He later played Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films. Instead of flowers, his X account asks for donations for Alzheimer's research and for caring relatives.
Stewart died just days after Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original 1960s Star Trek series. Koenig died on the night of October 25th at the age of 90. Of the main cast of the original series, only William Shatner and George Takei are still alive.
News of Stewart's death sparked condolences around the world. Colleagues, companions and fans remembered the actor on social networks; On Bluesky, his death was one of the most discussed topics on Friday.
His long-time friend Ian McKellen, Stewart's antagonist Magneto in the "X-Men" films, published a long obituary on X. “More than anything else, Patrick was shaped by the fact that he was born and raised in Yorkshire,” McKellen wrote. You could hear it in his accent and “in the strict honesty with which he told you what he thought and felt.” Stewart wore his heart on his sleeve, “which made him a man you could rely on, admire and, in my case, love.”
The two met half a century ago as young actors at the Royal Shakespeare Company. When Stewart later told him about the Star Trek offer, McKellen recalled, he warned him: "Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?" Stewart took the risk – “Thank God for all of us,” said McKellen.
McKellen called Stewart "the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on both sides of the Atlantic." Stewart can be seen one last time as Professor X in “Avengers: Doomsday” in December. “His farewell performance is still pending,” McKellen wrote.
William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk, wrote on Instagram: "Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague and a great 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 represented the best in us, and so did the man who played him." One of the most popular comments below said: "Captain Kirk says goodbye to Captain Picard."
George Takei, once Hikaru Sulu, wrote on Bluesky that Stewart, as Picard, took the Starship Enterprise "to places it had never been before." He inspired “an entire next generation of stargazers who looked longingly forward to a better future for all of humanity.” Takei concluded, “Rest in heaven, Captain.”
His "X-Men" co-star Hugh Jackman wrote on Instagram: "Today we lost one of the greats of stage and screen. And, in my eyes, a wonderful friend and person. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, for the rest of my life." By midday on Friday, the post had been liked by more than 2.6 million users. “Thank you, Professor, for teaching us the true value of hope,” one of them wrote.
Seth MacFarlane, who worked with Stewart over many years on "American Dad!", "Family Guy" and "Ted," wrote on Stewart was able to refine every dialogue “so that a good author sounded great and a great author sounded masterful”.
At the same time, Stewart was “as humble as possible.” MacFarlane recalled an email in which Stewart wrote to him at the start of filming a new film, saying that he felt like the biggest beginner on every new set. His response: “Patrick, if you feel like that, the rest of us are lost.”
British comedian Ricky Gervais shared a video on
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) also said goodbye on Instagram: "Be well, Captain Picard!" He has “been a Trekkie since childhood,” wrote Söder. "Star Trek is not just science fiction. Much of it is more relevant than ever: from science and world exploration to diplomacy and peace."
The posts garnered thousands of comments from fans, many describing Stewart as part of their childhood. “Some people stay with us throughout our lives without ever meeting us in person,” wrote one user under Shatner’s post. Under Söder's contribution it said: "The captain is leaving the bridge for the last time and a large part of us is accompanying him."
Others said goodbye with Picard's commands “Make it so” and “Engage”, in the German version “Energy!”. A sentence from Picard from the movie “Star Trek: Generations” (1994) was often quoted: Time is not a predator, but “a companion that accompanies us on our journey and reminds us to appreciate every moment.”
Stewart himself wrote about his most famous role in his 2023 memoir “Making It So”: “Like me, Jean-Luc lived an unusual life that took him far beyond the limits of normal human experience.” But Picard remained true to his roots. “In the end, he feels the call of home, just like I do.” The announcement of his death ends with this quote.
