Patrick Stewart, the Shakespearean actor who played Star Trek’s Captain Picard, dies at 86
Patrick Stewart, the classically trained British actor known for the Star Trek franchise and the X-Men films, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles at 86, AP and The Washington Post reported. A statement shared on his social media accounts said he died after a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The career: Stewart rose first as a Shakespearean actor before becoming a household name as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Washington Post reported. The BBC reported that his career spanned seven decades and included starring roles in London’s West End and on Broadway.
The announcement: The statement said Stewart died in the care of his wife, Sunny, The Guardian reported. His death was announced Thursday on his Instagram account, the BBC reported.
The tributes: Ian McKellen led tributes, and William Shatner and George Takei also paid tribute, the BBC reported. The Royal Shakespeare Company, where Stewart spent his early years on stage, called him a colossus, and fans gathered at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it reported.
Sources
- AP News — Patrick Stewart, legendary actor of Star Trek and X-Men fame, dies at 86
- The Washington Post — Patrick Stewart, Shakespearean actor and Star Trek star, dies at 86
- BBC News — Legendary Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86
- The Guardian — Patrick Stewart: Much loved actor remembered