Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men Icon, Dies at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary actor famed for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, has died at the age of 86, per TVLine and other outlets. A statement from his official account confirmed his passing yesterday at his Los Angeles home, following a short battle with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia.

According to TVLine, the statement said he was surrounded by family, music, and laughter. It noted his expression in his final hours conveyed a serene and graceful dignity that will be remembered.

Stewart's career spanned over half a century, beginning with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he performed for many years. He rocketed to global fame in 1987 as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, a role he reprised in films and the recent Paramount+ series Star Trek: Picard. /Film notes he was nearly cast as the android Data instead of the captain.

His other defining role was as Professor X in the X-Men film series, which he first played in 2000. GameSpot adds his legacy includes voice work in video games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Stewart was knighted in 2010 for his services to drama.