Patrick Stewart, a perceptive patriarch in 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men,' dies at 86
Renowned actor Sir Patrick Stewart, famous for his roles as Professor X in X-Men and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, has passed away at age 86. Stewart was a classically trained Shakespearean actor who brought significant gravitas to his iconic science fiction and superhero roles.
Why it matters
Stewart was a cultural icon whose career bridged the gap between traditional theater and modern blockbuster franchises, influencing generations of fans.
Patrick Stewart was trained as a Shakespearean actor, and he brought that gravitas to all of his roles, along with a playful sense of purpose. He was knighted in 2010.
Sir Patrick Stewart's most famous characters tackled concepts such as honor, morality and courage. He played Professor X in the X-Men franchise and Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the starship USS Enterprise on the show St ar Trek: The Next Generation and its later spinoff, Picard .
Stewart died Wednesday at 86. A post on his Facebook and Instagram pages said he died at home in Los Angeles of "a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia."
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