A sad week for Star Trek fans after the loss of original series Walter Koenig has just taken an even sadder turn. Patrick Stewart, who brought Captain Jean-Luc Picard to screens starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation and up through the recent streaming series Star Trek: Picard, has died at the age of 86.
Stewart was also beloved for his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series, a role he’ll reprise now posthumously when Avengers: Doomsday releases in December.
However, his long career was so much more than just those two franchises. He made his mark not just on the stage and screen but as a larger-than-life pop culture presence. He was also knighted in 2010.
The news of his passing came via an official announcement on social media:
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Fund https://t.co/luC5CdcWDy
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources https://t.co/zvNptfyuNdPhoto Credit: Tommy Garcia pic.twitter.com/XNncEVq56X
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) October 29, 2026
Stewart’s memoir, Making It So, became a bestseller when it hit shelves in 2023, looking back on his remarkable six-decade career with the warmth and humor he was well known for. He also lent his distinctive voice to the audio version.
Some of Stewart’s other notable credits include David Lynch’s Dune; Excalibur; LA Story; Green Room; the iconic BBC adaptation of I, Claudius; the Moby Dick TV miniseries; Scrooge in the 1999 made-for-TV A Christmas Carol movie; and many more. He could do everything from Shakesperean drama to sitcom humor, but he always brought his signature elegance and gravitas to every project.
Off-screen, his many good works included advocating for rescue dogs, especially pit bulls, and he was known for sharing photos of the foster pups he cared for over the years on social media.
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