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Patrick Stewart, Captain Picard of 'Star Trek' and Professor X of 'X-Men,' dies at 86

By The 99 Staff · Updated Oct. 29, 2026

Sir Patrick Stewart, the classically trained actor who brought Shakespearean weight to "Star Trek" and the "X-Men" films, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86, The Associated Press, NPR, Deadline and the BBC reported.

"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," said the statement from his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, which was also posted on his Facebook and Instagram pages. AP reported his diagnoses had not been disclosed before.

From Yorkshire to the Enterprise

Stewart was born July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, in Yorkshire, England, Deadline reported. He left school at 15 to act in local theater, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966 and made his Broadway debut in 1970 in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

He was lecturing on Shakespeare at UCLA when he was cast as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, NPR reported. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" ran seven seasons, from 1987 to 1994, and was followed by feature films. He returned to the role in "Star Trek: Picard," which ended in April 2023. Starting in 2000, he played Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" films.

On stage he won three Olivier Awards and was nominated for a Tony, Deadline reported. He also won a Grammy in 1995, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996 and was knighted in 2010 for services to drama.

Tributes

Ian McKellen, his friend and "X-Men" co-star, who officiated at his 2013 wedding, said Stewart "wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love," the BBC reported.

William Shatner wrote that Stewart brought "intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did. Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him." George Takei called him "a true and irreplaceable legend" who "inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers."

Stewart is survived by his wife, singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell, and his two children, Daniel and Sophie, from his first marriage, according to published reports.

If your family is facing dementia

The Alzheimer's Association runs a free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for people living with dementia and the people caring for them. Help is available in Spanish and many other languages.