Patrick Stewart died Wednesday, October 28, at his home in Los Angeles at age 86. His spokesperson confirmed he had Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Stewart was best known as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor X in the X-Men films, but to Ian McKellen, he was a friend of more than five decades.
McKellen posted his tribute Thursday on Instagram, recalling their first meeting as young Royal Shakespeare Company actors and the moment Stewart told him about the Star Trek offer. He praised Stewart’s Yorkshire roots, writing that Stewart wore his heart on his sleeve and was“a man to rely on, to admire and in my case, love.”McKellen also officiated Stewart’s 2013 wedding to Sunny Ozell, a detail that makes the loss feel even more personal.
Stewart’s farewell performance in Avengers: Doomsday is still to come, so fans have one more chapter to look forward to. Which Patrick Stewart character means the most to you? Captain Picard, Professor X, or someone else entirely? Let us know.
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Local Lawton
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