British actor, Patrick Stewart celebrated for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek’ and Professor Charles Xavier in ‘X-Men’ has died at the age of 86.
Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement released by his family on Thursday. He was surrounded by his wife, Sunny Ozell, following what the family described as “a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.”
The actor became internationally recognised for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, a role he first took on in 1987. He played the character across seven seasons, several films and the later series Star Trek: Picard.
He also earned a new generation of fans through his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier, the wheelchair-using leader of the X-Men, in the Marvel film franchise. His performance began with the 2000 film X-Men and continued across several instalments, including Logan.
Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, Patrick Stewart grew up in a working-class family. His interest in acting began at the age of 12 after a schoolteacher introduced him to William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, building a distinguished stage career through classical productions before gaining international recognition on television. His theatre work included performances in Antony and Cleopatra and Hamlet, earning him two Laurence Olivier Awards.
According to a memoir on his instagram page, ”His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre. Sir Patrick Stewart explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and he 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.”
His contribution to the entertainment industry was recognised in 2010 when Queen Elizabeth II knighted him for services to drama. Beyond acting, Stewart was also involved in humanitarian causes, including human rights advocacy, support for refugees and campaigns against domestic violence.
