Veteran British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, celebrated for his performances in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the X-Men movie series, has died aged 86, his family confirmed on Thursday.
According to a statement posted on his social media accounts, Stewart died following a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Stewart became a household name through his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which ran from 1987 to 1994. He later reached another generation of film fans as Professor Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, in the X-Men franchise.
In addition to his screen performances, Stewart enjoyed a distinguished theatre career. He spent 14 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he appeared in several classical productions and earned praise for his work on stage.
His outstanding contribution to acting was recognised in 2010 when Queen Elizabeth II awarded him a knighthood.
Over a career that spanned more than six decades, Stewart earned a reputation as a versatile performer whose work left a lasting mark on theatre, television and cinema.
He is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and his two children.
