LOS ANGELES — Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who became a pop culture icon as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” has died at 86, his spokesperson said.
Stewart died at home Wednesday, spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak said in a statement, following “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,” CBS News reported.
“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,” Novak said.
Stewart joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s. In 1987 he began playing Picard on “The Next Generation,” which ran seven seasons and led to four films. He later returned to the role in Paramount+’s “Star Trek: Picard” and also starred as Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films.
“Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor,” William Shatner posted. “Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him.”
George Takei wrote that Stewart “inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers,” adding, “Rest in the heavens, Captain.” “X-Men” co-star Hugh Jackman said, “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man.”
It was the second loss for the “Star Trek” universe in a week. Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original series, died Sunday at 90, the Associated Press reported.
Sources: CBS News, Associated Press via KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: BenSherman / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
