Patrick Stewart Vowed to Never Retire, Embracing Acting Until the End
In his final interview, the iconic actor discussed his most significant roles and his enduring passion for the craft.
Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed actor who died Wednesday at 86, expressed a firm commitment to his profession in what would be his final interview, stating he never envisioned officially retiring. "I'll always and forever be an actor," Stewart told TV Line on July 7, 2026.
Stewart, who had battled Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia, reflected on the 40th anniversary of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," the series where he originated the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. "All of these anniversaries are wildly surreal for me, but the 40th anniversary of The Next Generation is particularly remarkable," he said, recalling his first day on the Paramount lot as if it were yesterday.
His final acting role will be posthumously featured in the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday," reprising his X-Men character, Charles Xavier. Stewart acknowledged the evolving landscape of acting roles for older actors but noted he continued to receive interesting offers that challenged him.
He unequivocally identified Captain Jean-Luc Picard as the "most significant role" of his career, expressing gratitude for his involvement in the historic franchise. Stewart portrayed the Starfleet captain across seven seasons and 176 episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" from 1987 to 1994. He also reprised the role in four feature films: "Generations" (1994), "First Contact" (1996), "Insurrection" (1998), and "Nemesis" (2002).
Stewart revisited the character for the Paramount+ series "Picard," which ran for three seasons from 2020 to 2023. He initially believed "Nemesis" was his final portrayal of Picard but was delighted with how the "Picard" series concluded, especially the reunion with his "The Next Generation" castmates. "They’re all such dear friends, but also exceptionally talented artists," he remarked about his co-stars.
He spoke about the enduring appeal of Star Trek, appreciating the introduction of new talent and voices to the franchise. "The enduring power of Star Trek and its values continues to reach new generations, and I’ll always cheer on new series and new adaptations of this story," Stewart stated. "Having fresh voices to tell these new stories is critical, and I’m thrilled any time I get to meet a new member of the Star Trek 'tribe.'"
Stewart's death at age 86 was confirmed in a statement shared on Instagram. The statement read, "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 after a lifetime of devotion to us all. We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace."