Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men Actor, Dies at 86

Actor Patrick Stewart, renowned for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" film series, died Wednesday at age 86. His family announced his death occurred at his Los Angeles home after a "brief and poignant journey" with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

Stewart's career spanned over six decades, earning him a wide array of admirers. Fellow "Star Trek" captain William Shatner remembered Stewart as "a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor," who "brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did."

Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, where Stewart portrayed Professor Charles Xavier in nine films including the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," stated, "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."

Marvel Comics also posted a tribute, calling Stewart "a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman."

"Next Generation" castmates Jonathan Frakes and Wil Wheaton shared their respects. George Takei, who played Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series, noted on BlueSky that Stewart "took the starship Enterprise to places it had never gone before."

Hugh Jackman posted a photo with Stewart on Instagram, calling him "one of the greats of stage and screen today" and "a tremendous friend and man."

Seth MacFarlane, who collaborated with Stewart on "Family Guy," "American Dad," and the film "Ted," described him as "that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great, and a great writer sound masterful."

Ricky Gervais, who worked with Stewart on the series "Extras," remarked on X, "What an actor. I still can’t believe he agreed to do this scene. And he didn’t even mind when I ruined every take. Legend."

Politicians also offered praise, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calling Stewart's kindness and decency as great as his "enormous, generational talent." Trump advisor Stephen Miller referred to him as "one of the most impactful actors in the history of film, television and theater."

Piers Morgan recalled Stewart as a "wonderful actor, an amusing and intelligent character, and a Yorkshireman to his bootstraps," also humorously thanking him for the tea recommendation.

Stewart's own social media account asked fans to make memorial donations to various Alzheimer's charities.