Star Trek legend Sir Patrick Stewart dies aged 86

Pop culture icon and Star Trek legend Sir Patrick Stewart has died, aged 86. 

It was announced on social media this morning that the actor died in his Los Angeles home yesterday after “a brief battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia”. 

“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 all of us.” 

Stewart’s portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation cemented the actor as a household name. 

He was also well known for his role as Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men universe, and for decades of theatre performances in the United Kingdom and the United States. 

“His sonorous voice and singular talent will forever be synonymous with indelible performances in every genre,” the tribute said. 

“He explored the human condition in all its poetic complexity and brought hope not only to the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but into science fiction’s most iconic final frontier above the Starship Enterprise.” 

It said Stewart would be remembered for the “dignity, compassion and humanity” he brought to his work and personal commitments. 

“He was a knight, chancellor, motor sport enthusiast, and lifelong Huddersfield football fan.” 

Huddersfield Town Football Club, known as the Terriers, also paid tribute to Stewart, who was “fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots”. 

“A titan of his craft and a legend and hero to millions worldwide, his legacy will live on. Sir Patrick was a Terrier in every sense, and we’re proud to have counted him as one of our own.” 

Star Trek actor George Takei also paid tribute to the passing of “a true and irreplaceable legend”, saying the actor had inspired a new generation of stargazers. 

“Our hearts are heavy indeed. Rest easy in the heavens, Captain.” 

In a 2022 interview with The Project, Stewart told host Jesse Mulligan that he performed in New Zealand “decades ago” on tour with the Old Vic Theatre Company. 

He was acclaimed for his Shakespearean stagecraft, notably in performances as Macbeth, and as Marc Antony in Antony and Cleopatra. 

“We played Auckland, Wellington, and Palmerston North,” he recalled. 

The statement said that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Caregiver Resources.