Patrick Stewart, the renowned British actor known for his roles in "Star Trek" and "X-Men," passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 86. His death was announced on Wednesday through a statement on his social media accounts, which noted he had been battling Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. Stewart was celebrated for his commanding voice and exceptional talent, which saw him hailed from the stage in Britain to Hollywood megastar status.
Stewart's career was marked by iconic performances in the "Star Trek" franchise, where he portrayed Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and the "X-Men" films. Initially, Los Angeles Times was critical of his move to American television, dismissing him as an "unknown British Shakespearean actor." However, Stewart's portrayal of Picard, who debuted when he was 47, became legendary, spawning several films and establishing him as a household name. Nonetheless, he continued to perform on stage, winning two Olivier awards.
Shawnter's praise for Stewart's "intelligence, grace and deep sense of humanity" was echoed by many, including Hugh Jackman, his co-star in "X-Men." Stewart's final film appearance as Professor Charles Xavier in "Avengers: Doomsday" is scheduled for release in December. Through his extensive career, Stewart earned four Emmy nominations, won a spoken word Grammy for narrating "Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf," and was knighted in 2010 for his services to drama.