Patrick Stewart has died at age 86. The prolific English actor was known for his work in theater, film and television, and he portrayed Captain Picard in the Star Trek franchise and Professor X in the X-Men films.
Kelly Bush Novak, longtime spokesperson for Stewart, says in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 29, “We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. 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.”
Stewart was born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, to textile worker Gladys Stewart (née Barrowclough) and Alfred Stewart, a regimental sergeant major in the British Army. He was the youngest of three boys and developed an early love of the performing arts thanks to the encouragement of a childhood English teacher who introduced him to Shakespeare, per The Guardian. At 11, he began studying drama at Mirfield Secondary Modern School; by 15, he left school to pursue local theater.
According to Stewart’s official website, he received a full grant to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1957. There, his professional acting career was born, making his onstage debut as Cutpurse in its production of Cyrano de Bergerac in 1959. His first on-screen credit came in 1967 as a fire officer on Coronation Street, and his Broadway debut just four years later, playing Snout in A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Although Stewart had notched several notable acting credits during the ‘70s and ‘80s — from his big-screen debut in Hedda (1975) to David Lynch‘s Dune (1984) — it was his breakthrough role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation that would turn him into a sci-fi icon.
Stewart, then 47, had no idea the part would change his life. He was not only oblivious about the 1960s original’s popularity; he was convinced he’d lost the role when he auditioned for it in the ‘80s.
“My first interview [with Star Trek creator] Gene Roddenberry lasted all of about six minutes,” Stewart told PEOPLE in March 2022. “I learned afterward that when I had gone out the door, he said, ‘Who the hell suggested inviting that guy to come up here? What a waste of time.’ Six months later, I was offered the role. Gene thought I was completely wrong, but he was outvoted.”
Stewart starred as Captain Picard on all seven seasons of The Next Generation, reprising the character in four Star Trek films from 1994 to 2002. He returned to the role in 2020 on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Picard.
Already a bonafide superstar by the 2000s, Stewart’s fame skyrocketed when he joined the X-Men movie franchise as Professor Charles Xavier, the endearing mutant telepath. He played Professor X for over two decades — setting the Guinness World Record for the longest Marvel career — in film installments like X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and Logan (2017).
Stewart also lent his voice to numerous TV programs, movies, video games and commercials. In 1996, he earned a Grammy for best spoken word album for children for his narration of Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf. That same year, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1998, he was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Emmy for the miniseries Moby Dick, followed by 2003’s The Lion in Winter. He later received an Emmy nod in 2006 for his guest appearance on the sitcom Extras and again in 2010 for his leading role in the screen adaptation of Hamlet. Among the decorated actor’s various accolades was receiving his knighthood in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to drama.
Off-screen, Stewart and his X-Men costar Sir Ian McKellen — whom he first met at the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1970s — maintained a longtime “bromance.” Beyond embracing each other in photos and sharing playful kisses, McKellen officiated Stewart’s wedding to singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell on Sept. 7, 2013.
“Happy 80th birthday wishes to @IanMcKellen! Sunny and I are grateful for all the love over the years, whether as a dear friend, minister at our wedding, or colleague on screen and stage,” Stewart wrote on Instagram in May 2019 alongside a photo from his wedding to Ozell.
Patrick Stewart and Sophie Stewart attend a gala screening of “The Kid Who Would Be King” on February 03, 2019 in London, England.
Patrick Stewart and daughter Sophie Stewart in 2019.
Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty
Ozell is Stewart’s third wife, whom he told PEOPLE in 2022 was “so smart and so informed.” He added, “Her intellectual accomplishments are extraordinary. She remembers everything.”
The English star was previously married to Sheila Falconer from 1966 to 1990 — with whom he shared son Daniel Stewart and daughter Sophia Stewart — and Wendy Neuss from 2000 to 2003.