Mourning for British actor: Patrick Stewart dies

Mourning for British actor Hollywood star Patrick Stewart dies As of: October 29, 2026 • 9:53 p.m

His roles as Captain Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men made him world famous. British actor Patrick Stewart has died at the age of 86.

British actor Patrick Stewart is dead. He died in Los Angeles at the age of 86 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease, his spokeswoman announced. "He was held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of deep emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of commitment to us all," the statement said. "His sonorous voice and unique talent will forever be synonymous with unforgettable performances in every genre."

Stewart was born in Mirfield in northern England in 1940. He played in theater groups as a teenager before going to drama school in Bristol. Stewart primarily turned to classical roles and became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, where he remained loyal for many years.

He spent most of his career on the stage, playing Claudius and Macbeth, presenting a one-man performance of "A Christmas Carol" and appearing with his friend Ian McKellen - who also played his friend and adversary Magneto in "X-Men" - in Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" and Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot".

A series as a mirror of society: Why is “Star Trek” still popular with fans today? A search for clues. more

From the 1970s onwards, Stewart also appeared in British television films and series, including appearing as a butler in the popular Christmas film "The Little Lord".

In 1987 he was cast as spaceship commander Jean-Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" - the role made him world famous. As Professor Charles Xavier, he has appeared in numerous "X-Men" and Marvel films in recent years.

Stewart has been nominated for multiple Emmys and Golden Globes. There has been a star with his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 1996. In 2009 he was made a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II and has since been allowed to call himself Sir Patrick Stewart.

This topic in the program: tagesschau 24 | News | Oct 29, 2026 | 9:42 p.m. Das Erste | daily topics | Oct 29, 2026 | 10:15 p.m