Sir Patrick Stewart has passed away at the age of 86. The beloved actor, known for his iconic roles in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, died on Wednesday, October 29.
According to a statement shared by his team on Instagram on Thursday, Stewart passed away following a brief battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. "We announce with great sorrow the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, in the loving care of his wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia," the statement read.
"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 added. His team requested that instead of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.
Sir Patrick Stewart enjoyed a career spanning over six decades across stage, television, and film, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase. Born in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, in 1940, Stewart overcame a difficult childhood to become one of the most respected classical actors of his generation, notably with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His transition to international superstardom came in the late 1980s when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the groundbreaking television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He later cemented his legacy in modern pop culture by portraying Professor Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, in the highly successful X-Men cinematic universe.
Tributes from Hollywood stars, directors, and fans around the world have poured in since the announcement, celebrating his immense contribution to the arts and his philanthropic efforts. He is survived by his wife Sunny Ozell, as well as his children from a previous marriage, Daniel and Sophia, who have asked for privacy during this difficult time of mourning.