Jeremy Clarkson has recounted an amusing encounter with the late actor Sir Patrick Stewart, whom he mistakenly identified as a delivery driver on the set of "Top Gear" in 2003. The anecdote emerged on Twitter as Clarkson paid tribute to Stewart, who passed away last Wednesday at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Stewart, renowned for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films, had arrived exceptionally early to film his segment for the popular car show. Clarkson recalled that Stewart's demeanor was so unassuming that the production team assumed he was there to make a delivery and directed him to the back.
According to Clarkson's tweet, Stewart eventually removed his hat and stated, "But I’m the captain of the Enterprise." Clarkson added, "F***ing nice guy."
During the "Top Gear" appearance, Stewart also engaged in some lighthearted banter with Clarkson. When Clarkson remarked that Stewart was the most famous guest they had ever hosted, the actor quipped, "This must be a terrible show then."
Stewart's death was announced by his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak. His family released a statement describing his final days as being "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."
In recent years, a clip of Stewart's 1994 hosting stint on "Saturday Night Live" resurfaced online due to his enthusiastic introduction of musical guest Salt-N-Pepa. "SNL" honored the actor by re-airing this clip at the end of a recent episode, followed by a memorial title card.
Despite his reduced public profile in later years, Stewart expressed no intention of retiring from acting. In a July interview with TV Line, he stated, "I can't imagine ever officially 'retiring.' I'll always and forever be an actor." He also reflected on the 40th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," calling the milestone "wildly surreal" and recalling his first day on the Paramount lot vividly.
Stewart's final acting role will be posthumously released next month in "Avengers: Doomsday," where he reprises his role as Charles Xavier.