Star Trek and X-Men actor Sir Patrick Stewart dies

Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 20:20

Star Trek and X-Men actor Sir Patrick Stewart has died after a "brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's".

The 86-year-old died at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, said a statement on his Instagram account.

It said he died "in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny, following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia".

The West Yorkshire actor achieved global fame playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, which ran for seven years.

Sir Patrick recently appeared in a trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, set to be released in December, reprising his role as Professor Charles Xavier.

He played the character in multiple X-Men films, beginning with the original in 2000.

Marvel Studios called him "a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman".

It said he brought the character to life with "extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans".

Star Trek actor William Shatner was also among the first to pay tribute, calling Stewart "a magnificent actor" who would be "deeply missed".

"He brought intelligence, grace, and a deep sense of humanity to everything he did," Shatner wrote on X.

"Captain Picard stood for the best of us, and so did the man who played him. I was filled with affection and admiration for him and his work."

Stewart's family said he was surrounded by "live music, prayer, tears, laughter" during his illness.

"We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grave," a statement said.

His family also paid tribute to his time with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing on Broadway, and his love of Huddersfield football club.

Sir Patrick's acting career was matched by his philanthropy and campaigning on issues such as refugees, domestic violence survivors and animal welfare, his family added.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Sky News