Patrick Stewart, actor known for iconic roles in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘X-Men,’ dies at 86
Beloved actor Patrick Stewart has died following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, his representative confirmed. He was 86.
“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,” Kelly Bush Novak, his longtime spokesperson, said in a statement provided to NBC News on Thursday.
Stewart — whose storied career included the iconic roles of Professor X in the “X-Men” film series and Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in the “Star Trek” franchise — had spent quality time with loved ones before his death, according to the statement.
“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,” the statement said. “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection of his invincible grace.”
He was featured in a trailer for the highly anticipated “Avengers: Doomsday” film scheduled to be released in December, reprising his role of professor Charles Xavier in the mega Marvel crossover.
He had most recently done voice over work in the film “The Sheep Detectives” and appeared in the Prime Video series “Bait,” both in 2026, according to his IMDb profile.
Born in the town of Mirfield in West Yorkshire, England, he joined the acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He went on to make his Broadway debut in 1971 in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and forged a career on the silver screen.
“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre,” the statement said. “He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier aboard the Starship Enterprise.”
Off the stage, he was dedicated to philanthropy and activism, including advocating for human rights, domestic violence survivors, refugees, veteran mental health services and animal welfare.
A revered figure in Hollywood — with myriad accolades spanning nominations for Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards — he was also knighted in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II.
The statement closed with a quote from his 2023 book, “Making It So: A Memoir,” that said: “Like me, Jean-Luc has lived an unusual life that has taken him far beyond the bounds of normal human experience. But he is also someone who has remained true to his earthbound roots, for they are what gave him his identity. In the end, he feels the call of home, as do I.”
Marvel Studios said in a statement it is “deeply saddened” by Stewart’s passing.
“Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from ‘X-Men’ to ‘Logan’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’” the statement said. “He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art.”
Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, recalled first seeing Stewart in action.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men. After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas,” Feige said in a statement to NBC News.
“Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humor. It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him. His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed,” he added.
