Patrick Stewart's Death Mourned by Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen paid tribute to his late friend Patrick Stewart, remembering the acclaimed actor who died at the age of 86. McKellen, a close friend of Stewart for over fifty years, shared his respects following Stewart's passing.

McKellen recalled the early days of their friendship, meeting as ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago. He recounted a pivotal moment when Stewart was offered a leading role in "Star Trek." McKellen admitted to giving Stewart what he later described as short-sighted advice: "But Patrick think of your stage career in the UK. Do you really want to risk getting lost in Hollywood for years and years?” Stewart ultimately took the role, a decision McKellen acknowledged was beneficial for global audiences, not just "Trekkies," as it led to Stewart's international stardom and subsequent film and theater successes.

Their professional paths converged on screen in the 2000 film "X-Men," where McKellen also joined the cast. Stewart went on to star as Professor X, while McKellen portrayed Magneto. The two actors maintained a close bond, appearing together in multiple "X-Men" films and several stage productions.

Their theatrical collaborations included a 2009 production of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" in London, which they later reprised on Broadway in 2013 and 2014 as part of a double production with Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land." They brought "No Man's Land" back to London's West End in 2016.

Stewart, in a 2020 interview with Wired, reflected on how their friendship deepened during the filming of "X-Men." He described spending trailer time together, leading to a bond built on shared interests. Stewart also spoke openly about his affection for McKellen, noting with humor that his wife shared the sentiment.

McKellen also played a personal role in Stewart's life by officiating his wedding to Sunny Ozell in 2013. To perform the ceremony, McKellen registered as a minister with the Universal Life Church.

Mckellen remembered Stewart as a proud Yorkshireman, whose accent and straightforward honesty were defining characteristics. He noted Stewart's dedication to his origins, even as he found an adopted home in the United States. McKellen also highlighted Stewart's appointment as Chancellor of Huddersfield University as one of his proudest achievements. The tribute concluded with a mention of Stewart's final performance in "Avengers: Doomsday," which was yet to be released.