Sir Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86, devastating many film and theatre fans across the world.
The news was announced on an Instagram post on the actor’s account, “following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia”.
His award-winning acting career spanned six decades, leaving a legacy of hope in his many iconic roles as Captain (Star Trek), mentor (X-Men) and King (Hamlet).
Outside of acting, he campaigned against domestic violence and for animal welfare.
He was also an LGBTQ+ ally through public support, on and off screen.
Shared via the official announcement, Sir Stewart had 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.”
Iconic roles
Two of his most iconic roles were inspirational leader, Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, and compassionate mentor and superhero Professor X in X-Men.
He also made several notable appearances as a voice actor.
Some of his roles include Avery Bullock from American Dad! and as the statue of Shakespear in Gnomeo and Juliet, a nod to his background in theatre.
Farewells from his friends
One of the most famous on-screen friendships was Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart.
They met when they were “ambitious young actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company half a century ago” and have since starred together in multiple productions.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, McKellen shared that: “He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”
READ OUR OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Film news: Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men legend, has died aged 86
Other actors have shared their sympathies, including Hugh Jackman, who said “We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today. And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man.”
He added: “I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”
Dame Harriet Walter said that a “huge giant tree has fallen in the forest”.
On BBC Newsnight she said: “He had fire in his eyes and you were absolutely in the room with him. I’ve never heard a bad word against him. And I think the world’s going to be very poor without him.”
On X, lifelong fan and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane said he was “gifted the privilege of becoming a colleague and friend, working with him for many years on American Dad!, Family Guy, and Ted”.
Praising his talent, MacFarlane said Stewart was “that rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great, and a great writer sound masterful.”
Sir Patrick Stewart’s final roles
His “farewell performance”, will be as Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday.
However, earlier this year, he also performed all 154 Shakespearean sonnets for an audio book, which also features original commentary from the actor.
In an Instagram post about the audiobook, Stewart said: “I hope it has brought pleasure and curiosity, but more than anything else, I want it to have communicated all the multiple features that love might have.”
Perhaps the same can be said of his legacy.
