Patrick Stewart, Picard and Professor X, dies at 86 in Los Angeles

Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday at the age of 86. His death follows a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles.

Family members confirmed the news on social media. A post on his Facebook and Instagram pages described the final period of his life as a brief and poignant journey with the conditions. Stewart is survived by his wife, Sunny Ozell, and three children.

Stewart rose to fame as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He portrayed the character from 1987 to 1994. The series ran for seven seasons. Fans recognized Picard for his calm leadership and his love of Earl Grey tea. Signature phrases from the show included "Engage!" and "Make it so!"

Before taking the role, Stewart was a stage actor. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966. He debuted on Broadway in 1970 in A Midsummer Night's Dream. In a 2023 interview with NPR, he recalled finding his home on an empty stage. He said, "To stand in the middle of an empty stage in an empty theater and feel that I was at home was everything."

His agent advised him to take the Star Trek role as a quick job. Stewart thought the show would not last long. He was told to make money and get a suntan before returning to theater. The series became a massive hit instead. He later appeared in the spinoff series Picard, which began streaming in 2020.

Stewart also played Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film franchise. He first took the role in 2000. He is set to appear in the character one last time in the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday. Writer Michael Chabon pitched the Picard series to Stewart. Chabon told NPR that writing words for Stewart to speak was incredible.

Stewart grew up in Yorkshire, England. He described his father as alcoholic and abusive. He found solace in school and Shakespeare. He worked alongside actors including Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. McKellen advised him not to take the Star Trek job. McKellen told him, "Don't do this, Patrick. You're a very good stage actor."

Stewart continued to act on stage throughout his career. He starred in an award-winning one-man version of A Christmas Carol. He played more than 40 roles in that production. He also lent his voice to various animated films. He reestablished his stage presence in the early 2000s.

The actor was known for playing compassionate father figures. These characters often united families of misfits. His portrayal of Picard in the later series showed a character dealing with psychological damage. Stewart spent his career charting the future through these roles.